primary care

noun

: health care provided by a medical professional (such as a general practitioner, pediatrician, or nurse) with whom a patient has initial contact and by whom the patient may be referred to a specialist

—often used before another noun

a primary care physician

called also primary health care

compare secondary care, tertiary care

Examples of primary care in a Sentence

He provides primary care to inner-city patients.

Recent Examples on the Web

Getty Images With 322 primary care providers for every 100,000 residents — the most in the nation — and the lowest rate of uninsured residents, the Bay State is close behind New Hampshire as America’s second-healthiest state. —Scott Cohn, CNBC, 13 July 2024

Many people start with a referral to one of these providers through their primary care provider. —Bryan Cochran, Discover Magazine, 12 July 2024

Related article Where are the nation’s primary care providers? —Katia Hetter, CNN, 9 July 2024

Reach out to a healthcare professional, such as a primary care provider, for support. —Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 9 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

primary care

noun

: health care provided by a medical professional (as a general practitioner or a pediatrician) with whom a patient has initial contact and by whom the patient may be referred to a specialist for further treatment

—often used attributively

primary care physicians

primary care practice

primary care medicine

called also primary health care

compare secondary care, tertiary care