primary care

American  

noun

1. medical care by a physician, or other healthcare professional, who is the patient's first contact with the healthcare system and who may recommend a specialist if necessary.

---

Other Word Forms

• primary-care adjective

Etymology

Origin of primary care

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Fewer than half of people diagnosed with osteoarthritis are referred to exercise programs or physical therapy by their primary care provider.

From Science Daily

After that, clinic staff helped her find a primary care physician who could order the imaging test.

From Los Angeles Times

He said that as more residents gained access to primary care, utilization at some county-run clinics declined.

From Los Angeles Times

GP surgeries and primary care is often referred to as the "front door" to Scotland's NHS and account for 90% of all patient contacts.

From BBC

It marks the latest in a series of changes to the way primary care services work.

From BBC