Primary Care Provider

What is a primary care provider?

A primary health care provider (also called a PCP, a primary care physician or a general practitioner) is a doctor or other health care provider who has training in fields such as family medicine, internal medicine or pediatrics.

 
Photo of a healthcare professional consulting with a patient at a desk.

Your PCP plays a key role in the management of your health by:

  • Treating acute (short-term) and chronic (lifelong) illnesses
  • Providing regular check-ups, screenings for comorbidities (related health conditions) and preventive care
  • Referring you to specialists

Even if you’re seeing specialists for other conditions, it’s important to continue seeing your PCP. It’s especially important when you have psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis.

Screening for Related Health Conditions

People living with psoriatic disease have overactive/dysfunctional immune systems, which causes inflammation in the body. This results in skin and joint symptoms, and can increase your risk of related health conditions, also known as comorbidities.

The good news is that effectively treating your psoriatic disease and following a healthy lifestyle can help lower your risk of comorbidities and improve your quality of life.

Your PCP may also be able to test for, diagnose and manage some health conditions that are related to psoriatic disease:

  • Metabolic syndrome (includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar level, high cholesterol and extra body fat around the waist, obesity, type 2 diabetes)
  • cardiovascular disease
  • Mental health concerns

Find the Right PCP

The NPF Patient Navigation Center can help you locate and connect with health care providers who understand psoriatic disease and how to treat it.

Connect with a patient navigator

Make the Most of Your Time with Your Health Care Provider

Request a free Appointment Prep Kit or contact a patient navigator to request a Telehealth resource to help you prepare for your next appointment.

Get the Appointment Prep Kit

Stay in the Know

Expert tips, can’t-miss events, and the latest news, straight to your inbox.

National Health Council Standards of ExcellenceCharity NavigatorCommunity Health Charities logo

Copyright © 1996-2024 National Psoriasis Foundation/USA


Duplication, rebroadcast, republication, or other use of content appearing on this website is prohibited without written permission of the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF).


NPF does not endorse or accept any responsibility for the content of external websites.


NPF does not endorse any specific treatments or medications for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

We use cookies to offer you a better experience and analyze our site traffic. By continuing to use this website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.