"We can work with you to keep you healthy for the long term."
— Dana Galbraith, MD, and Jack Galbraith, MD
Your primary line of defense
Primary care physicians play a vital role in your health
A national report compiled by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that an alarming number of people in this country do not see a primary care physician on a regular basis for wellness exams.
“I'm not surprised,” says Dana Galbraith, MD, a family practitioner in Affton. “Primary care physicians should be the primary line of defense. In other words, we get you healthy when you are ill, but more importantly, we can work with you to keep you healthy for the long term.”
Whether because of cost, insurance concerns, busy lifestyles or a casual attitude about the importance of regular medical exams, most people only think about going to a physician’s office to “fix” an illness.
“There are so many chronic and serious medical conditions that can be detected during an annual exam or comprehensive medical visit,” says Jack Galbraith, MD, Dana’s husband and physician partner. “We can assess your risk for developing certain diseases and recommend the right age to start specific health screenings and immunizations. At the very least, everyone should have and see a primary care physician once a year.”
Assessing Your Health
Your doctor is a true partner in health. The Galbraiths say that partnership begins with a comprehensive medical exam and family history discussion. Here’s what doctors want to know to help guide you to a healthy lifestyle:
Seen your doctor lately? |
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| % with No Health Care Visit In Past 12 Months | |||
| 2000 | 2008 | 2009 | |
| Under Age 18 | 12.3% | 10.1% | 9.1% |
| Age 18-44 | 23.5% | 22.7% | 22.7% |
| Age 45-64 | 15.0% | 14.4% | 15.4% |
| Age 65+ | 7.5% | 5.6% | 4.7% |
| Sources: Health, United States 2010, Department of Health and Human Services. | |||
Your own medical history — Have you been treated for a medical condition in the past? Have you had surgery at any time? Have you been hospitalized in the past? Are your vaccinations and immunizations up-to-date? What medical screenings (e.g., cancer, cholesterol or bone density screenings) have you had and when? What medications or supplements are you taking?
Detailed family history — Find out if anyone in your family was diagnosed with chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, diabetes or heart disease, and if they died young or had cancer.
Lifestyle history — Do you smoke, consume alcohol or use illicit drugs? Do you exercise on a regular basis, eat well and maintain a healthy weight? Are you overly stressed, anxious or depressed?
Once doctors discuss your general history, they then determine what medical tests you should have, including blood tests. Depending upon your age and overall health risk, doctors also will recommend specific vaccinations and screenings.
For information, please call our Health Access Line at 314-ANTHONY (268-4669) or 800-554-9550 or visit find a physician online.
At St. Anthony's, our vision is to be the area's premier health care organization
— and your first choice for health care services.
