What does a primary care physician (PCP) primarily do?

A primary care physician (PCP) plays a critical role in the healthcare system as the first point of contact for patients. They focus on overall health management, preventive care, and education. By initiating first contact, PCPs assess patients' health concerns, provide appropriate diagnoses, and develop treatment plans. They emphasize patient education, which empowers individuals to take an active role in their health, understand their conditions, and engage in preventive strategies to maintain or improve their well-being.

PCPs aim to build long-term relationships with patients, facilitating continuity of care, which can lead to better health outcomes. This involves regular check-ups, vaccinations, screening for diseases, and addressing acute and chronic health issues, multifactorial in nature.

The other choices indicate areas of practice that do not align with the typical responsibilities of a PCP. Managing hospitalized patients is generally the responsibility of hospitalists or specialists. Performing complex surgeries falls under the realm of surgical specialists, while conducting laboratory analyses is typically done by laboratory technicians or pathologists, not by primary care physicians.