Answering a FAQ about primary care

You can imagine how many questions I've been asked over the thirteen-plus years I've been writing this column. Some questions are about an individual's specific health issues or how I choose the subjects. But it may be because every week I write, "Talk to your primary care provider," the most often asked question is how one chooses one. Ergo, this week, we're talking about primary care providers. 

Let's start. A primary care provider can be an MD, DO, Nurse Practitioner, or Physician’s Assistant. Family healthcare professionals are trained to see patients with common medical problems. 

MedlinePlus, a National Library of Medicine subsidiary, explains, "A PCP is your main health care provider in non-emergency situations. Your PCP's role is to provide preventive care and teach healthy lifestyle choices; identify and treat common medical conditions; assess the urgency of your medical problems and direct you to the best place for that care; and make referrals to medical or surgical specialists when necessary." 

Often, at the end of my column, I give you the phone number for Bonner General Health Family Clinic and tell you that they are accepting new patients. I want to add that they also accept all insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid. They don't discriminate based on race, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or inability to pay. 

Let's take a look at the clinic's providers. We'll start with Nicole Grimm, FNP. Besides having an active practice, she has selflessly volunteered for years at Bonner Partners in Care, Sandpoint's free healthcare clinic. According to her bio, she particularly enjoys pediatrics, adolescent health, and women's health. "She views her role as providing support for the patient while focusing on disease prevention, health promotion, and practicing evidence-based medicine," her bio says. 

Benjamin M. Keggi, DO, came to Sandpoint via Great Falls, Montana. His bio says that "he practices true family medicine, with experience caring for patients of all ages and diverse backgrounds. He can address a wide range of acute and chronic medical conditions and prides himself on being approachable and accessible." 

With strong family ties to Bonner County (his wife was born at BGH), Keggi is passionate about preventive care, population health, and individualized, science-based medicine. 

Lynette McCanna, NP, was a nurse for fourteen years before obtaining her master's degree in nursing from Gonzaga University fifteen years ago. Do the math. That's twenty-nine years of experience. She enjoys treating patients from birth to the end of life. 

Tessa Reinke, MD, fell in love with rural health care when she did her family medicine rotation in Valdez, Alaska, after obtaining her undergraduate and medical degrees from Dartmouth College. Subsequently, she trained in obstetrics and women's health while exploring her interest in international medicine by working in remote clinics around the world. Dr. Reinke is passionate about proactive, value-based, whole-person healthcare. 

Lastly, I want to tell you about Laura Bonneville, M.Ed., LPC, NCC. Those initials mean that she is a licensed professional counselor and a nationally certified counselor. She comes to BGH after working ten years in a diverse, fast-paced community health center. Her bio says she also has experience working in residential treatment, assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities. 

Now, you might ask, why is Bonneville, a mental health provider, working at a family practice? The answer is an easy one. Bonneville's expertise in counseling patients with long-term chronic diseases and conditions makes her work symbiotic with family health care. She's a specialist in working with your PCP on the emotional and behavioral effects of issues such as insomnia and diabetes. 

When choosing your PCP, you'll want to look for someone with whom you can communicate. Remember what I always say: "You are the star of your healthcare team." But you'll want and need your other team members' abilities to align with your standards, beliefs, and needs. 

There are two more things I want to say. 1. By all means, ask your friends, family, and other respected professionals who they recommend as a primary care provider. 2. Don't just take their word for it. Set up an interview with your prospective choice or choices to see who fits the bill. 

Call Bonner General Health Family Practice at 208-265-2221 for an appointment. 

Kathy Hubbard is a member of the Bonner General Health Foundation Advisory Council. She can be reached at kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com.