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

Adults under 50 are less likely to have a primary care physician who can understand risk factors that inform where to begin screening and what tests to use. —Karen E. Knudsen, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2024

Life primary care doctor, as well as health coaching, medical testing, fitness and recovery services and access to practitioners across 20-plus disciplines including traditional Chinese medicine, sports performance, yoga and nutrition. —Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2024

Alternately or in combination, make a pleasant nuisance of yourself with your primary care physician’s scheduler. —Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 1 Aug. 2024

Florida has a physician shortage, and primary care is where projections show the situation is worsening. —Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 24 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