Why should you have a primary care provider in Conway, SC? A primary care provider (PCP) is the health professional who knows you best over time. They handle your checkups and screenings, manage ongoing conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, treat everyday illnesses, and help coordinate care with specialists when needed. Research has linked having a regular source of primary care with better preventive care and better management of chronic conditions. At Urgent Care & Family Medicine in Conway, our family medicine team offers primary care for patients of all ages, plus walk-in urgent care when you get sick. Call to ask about becoming a patient.
Looking for a primary care provider in Conway? Call our clinic to ask about becoming a patient.
What Does a Primary Care Provider Do?
Your PCP is your home base for health care. Their work includes:
- Preventive care: yearly checkups, screenings, and vaccines
- Chronic disease management: ongoing care for conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disease, and high cholesterol
- Acute care: treating illnesses and minor injuries such as infections, rashes, and sprains
- Mental health support: screening and treatment for anxiety and depression
- Medication management: reviewing all your prescriptions to keep them safe and effective
- Care coordination: referring you to specialists and keeping track of the big picture
- Health education: helping you understand your conditions and make healthy choices
Why Does Having a Regular Provider Matter?
When you see the same provider or team over time, they get to know your history, your family, your goals, and what is normal for you. That continuity has real benefits:
- Problems are more likely to be caught early, because changes stand out against your baseline
- You spend less time repeating your history at every visit
- Your provider can spot medication interactions across all your prescriptions
- Chronic conditions are easier to keep under control with regular follow-up
- You are more likely to stay current on screenings and vaccines
- You have someone to call when you are not sure what to do
Without a regular provider, people often rely on scattered visits to different clinics or the emergency room, which can lead to gaps in care and higher costs.
What Is the Difference Between Primary Care and Urgent Care?
Primary care focuses on long-term relationships and prevention. Urgent care focuses on same-day treatment for illnesses and injuries that are not emergencies. Both are valuable. At our clinic, you get both under one roof. You can see your family medicine provider for checkups and chronic conditions, and walk in for urgent care when you get sick or hurt. Your records stay in one place, so everyone caring for you has the full picture. Learn more about our urgent care and family medicine services.
Get primary care and urgent care in one place. Call 843-347-2121 to learn more.
Who Are the Providers at Our Clinic?
Our team includes physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners who work together to care for patients of all ages. Each type of provider is trained to diagnose illness, order tests, and prescribe medicine. Curious about how these roles differ? Read our guide on PA vs. NP vs. MD. You can also meet our team on our About Us page.
How Often Should You See Your Primary Care Provider?
It depends on your age and health:
- Healthy adults: usually once a year for an annual physical
- People with chronic conditions: often every three to six months, or more often when treatment is changing
- Children: on a regular well-child schedule, more frequently in the early years
- Anyone with new symptoms: whenever something concerns you
What Should You Bring to Your First Visit?
- Photo ID and insurance card
- A list of all medicines, vitamins, and supplements, with doses
- Records from previous providers, including recent lab results
- Your vaccination history, if you have it
- Family health history, such as heart disease, diabetes, or cancer in close relatives
- A list of questions or concerns
If your records are at another office, you can sign a release so they can be sent to us.
How Do You Choose the Right Primary Care Provider?
A good fit matters. Consider:
- Location and hours: a convenient office makes it easier to keep appointments
- Insurance: check that the practice accepts your plan
- Services: on-site labs, x-rays, and same-day sick visits save time
- Communication: you should feel heard and comfortable asking questions
- Whole-family care: some families prefer one practice for everyone
What Services Do We Offer?
In addition to checkups and chronic disease care, our clinic offers physicals, on-site labs and x-rays, IV hydration, joint injections, minor skin procedures, STI testing, and treatment for conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and thyroid problems. See our full list of services.
Why Choose Urgent Care & Family Medicine in Conway?
We are located at 235 Singleton Ridge Road and open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. We accept most major insurance and offer clear self-pay rates. With primary care and walk-in urgent care in one location, you can count on one team for both your everyday needs and your long-term health.
Can Primary Care Save You Money?
Often, yes. Many health problems are less expensive to manage when they are caught early. Controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, for example, lowers the chance of costly complications like heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease later on. Many insurance plans cover a yearly preventive visit with little or no out-of-pocket cost. And when you get sick with something like a sinus infection or a sprained ankle, a primary care or urgent care visit typically costs much less than an emergency room visit for the same problem. Having a provider you can call also helps you avoid unnecessary trips to the ER. Read more about what urgent care costs in Conway.
What If You Are New to the Conway Area?
Horry County continues to grow, and many people moving to Conway and the Grand Strand need to find a new provider. The best time to establish care is before you get sick. Schedule a first visit while you are feeling well, bring your records, and let your new provider get to know you. That way, when something does come up, you already have a team who knows your history. If you take ongoing prescriptions, plan your first visit before your refills run out so there is no gap in your medicines.
How Do You Make the Most of Each Visit?
Visits go best when you come prepared. Write down your top two or three concerns and start with the most important one. Be honest about symptoms, habits, and whether you are taking your medicines as prescribed. Ask questions until you understand your plan, and repeat back the key points to make sure you have them right. Before you leave, confirm when you should follow up and how you will get any test results. A strong partnership with your provider is one of the best investments you can make in your health.
Can One Practice Care for the Whole Family?
Yes. Family medicine providers are trained to care for children, adults, and older adults, which means parents, kids, and grandparents can all be seen by the same team. That is convenient for scheduling, and it also helps providers understand health patterns that run in families, such as diabetes, heart disease, or thyroid problems. When one family member gets a contagious illness, a provider who knows the household can give practical advice for keeping everyone else healthy. Many families appreciate having one trusted place for sick visits, sports and school physicals, checkups, and ongoing care.
Whether you need a yearly checkup, help with a long-term condition, or care for a sudden illness, our team is here to be your partner in health for years to come.
Find your health care home in Conway. Call our clinic or request an appointment today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a primary care provider?
A primary care provider is your main health professional for checkups, screenings, chronic conditions, everyday illnesses, and referrals to specialists.
Can a PA or NP be my primary care provider?
Yes. Physician assistants and nurse practitioners commonly serve as primary care providers and can diagnose, treat, and prescribe medicine.
How often should I see my primary care provider?
Most healthy adults benefit from a yearly visit. People with chronic conditions often need visits every three to six months.
Can I see my primary care team when I am sick?
Yes. Our clinic offers both family medicine and walk-in urgent care, so you can be seen when you get sick.
How do I become a patient?
Call 843-347-2121 or request an appointment online through our contact page, and our team will help you get started.