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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 careExamples of primary care in a Sentence
He provides primary care to inner-city patients.
Recent Examples on the Web
These include mental health professionals, occupational, physical, or respiratory therapists, cardiac specialists, primary care physicians, and more.
—Michael Menna, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2024
For example, primary care providers working on high-functioning teams spend up to 14 fewer minutes using the EHR for each visit.
—Spencer Dorn, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Individuals should discuss their symptoms and go over eligibility with their primary care provider.
CNN: What about other symptoms, such as vaginal dryness?
—Katia Hetter, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024
There are primary care physician offices nearby on LaPorte Avenue.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1967, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near primary care
Cite this Entry
“Primary care.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primary%20care. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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 careLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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