Three Things You Should Expect from Your Primary Care Provider
“The relationship you have with your primary care provider should be built on trust, respect, and open communication. If it isn't, it may be time for an honest conversation — or a fresh start.”
By Dr. David Buchanan
Having worked as a primary care physician for over 25 years, one truth has stayed with me above all others: the relationship between a patient and their PCP is one of the most important relationships in a person's life. This is especially true as we get older and our healthcare needs change. Patients deserve more than a quick handshake and a prescription. You deserve a partner in your health.
So what does that partnership actually look like? Let me share what I believe every older adult should expect from their primary care provider.
You Should Expect to Be Heard
A good primary care visit isn't a monologue — it's a conversation. When you walk into my office, I want to know what's been weighing on you, what's changed since we last spoke, and what matters most to you in your daily life. Your concerns are not an inconvenience. They are the reason I'm here.
Whether it's deciding between two treatment options or discussing what you want your quality of life to look like in the years ahead, you are not a passive participant in your healthcare. A good primary care provider will present you with options, explain the trade-offs honestly, and then respect the choice you make.
If you’re currently seeing a PCP who makes you feel rushed, dismissed, or like your questions are falling on deaf ears, that's a problem worth addressing. At Town Square Health, we build in extra time to our patient visits to make sure we are addressing your questions and concerns.
You Should Expect Honest, Plain-Language Communication
Medical jargon can make even the simplest diagnosis feel overwhelming. I have always believed it's my job to translate — to explain what's happening in your body in terms that make sense to you. Whether we're discussing a new medication, a test result, or a change in your treatment plan, you should leave every appointment understanding what was said and what comes next.
If something isn't clear, ask me to explain it again. Then ask again if needed. There is no such thing as a question that isn't worth answering.
You Should Expect Continuity
One of the greatest gifts of primary care is the ability to know a patient over time. I know which of my long-term patients prefers to avoid medications when possible, who has a daughter who helps manage their care, and who needs an extra five minutes to feel comfortable. That kind of continuity — built appointment by appointment, year by year — leads to better decisions and better outcomes.
At Town Square Health, your care team consists of your PCP and a Care Navigator, someone who is assigned to be with you at each visit. When you see the same care team consistently, they can notice the subtle changes that matter: the slight shift in your energy, a new hesitation in your step, or a number on a lab result that looks fine in isolation but tells a different story in context.
The relationship you have with your primary care provider should be built on trust, respect, and open communication. If it isn't, it may be time for an honest conversation — or a fresh start. You've spent a lifetime showing up for the people and things you care about. Your healthcare provider should show up for you.
Dr. David Buchanan is the founder of Town Square Health and a primary care physician dedicated to serving older adults.
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