Leading the Way Towards Collaborative Medicine in Florida
Dr. Joel Biggers and his wife, Dr. Elizabeth Biggers works side-by-side at their family medical practice, Biggers Family Medicine, in Brandon, FL, to deliver the highest quality of healthcare possible. Our doctors want to help you understand a trending way to treat and manage chronic conditions through collaborative medicine.
Defining a Family Doctor
Envision a large wooden wheel on a wagon. All wheels must have a center, or core, to support the spokes. This wheel works better when the spokes support the center, making it sturdy enough to turn and support the wagon.
Picture your primary care doctor as the center or core of a well-built wheel and the spokes representing professional referrals. Your primary doctor can care for all facets of your health, including acute and chronic conditions. But, sometimes, Biggers Family Medicine in Brandon, FL, must refer you to another medical professional, such as,
- A cardiologist, a urologist, an endocrinologist, a pulmonary doctor
- A mental health therapist/doctor
- A dietician
- A speech, occupational, and physical therapist
A Collaborative Approach to Health
In these cases, a group of healthcare professionals makes up your healthcare team, with your primary care doctor sitting at the center and directing your care. All these professionals collaborate, providing each with the best and most trending treatment options. They all work together for you in various clinical settings.
Teamwork for your health benefits requires communication, awareness, performance assessment, coordination, the same goals, and sharpening relationships between all professionals working on your behalf. A collaborative effort with your healthcare team improves your quality of life outcomes.
Defining Acute/Chronic Conditions
Acute conditions are short-term and require immediate medical attention.
- Accidents, injuries
- The flu
- Pneumonia, bronchitis
- Sinusitis
- UTI
Chronic conditions are long-term and generally do not go away. However, with the proper treatment, sometimes our doctors can eliminate or slow the condition's progression. Our doctor may need to refer you to a specialist with expertise in your condition.
- Diabetes
- Heart failure
- Fracture
In these instances, your primary doctor monitors your disease progression with the specialist. These doctors collaborate to discuss the best plan of care to give you the best quality of life while living with your chronic condition. The getting together of all members of your healthcare team to discuss your care is how the team effort works.
Seeking a Top-Notch Family Medical Doctor?
Nowadays, insurance companies require patients to have a primary care physician advocate for their best interests regarding their health.
Doctors Biggers are awaiting your call at 813-655-4646 at Biggers Family Practice in Brandon, FL, to make your initial appointment regarding any chronic conditions you have. We would be honored to be your primary care doctors.