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 care

Examples of primary care in a Sentence

He provides primary care to inner-city patients.

Recent Examples on the Web

Seek help if needed According to Dr. Davis, parents should seek advice from their child's primary care physician or a specialized sleep doctor anytime these sleep behaviors significantly interfere with their family's quality of life. —David Metzger, Parents, 3 Apr. 2025

Our model blends primary care, behavioral health, and community support services through bilingual, culturally competent providers and trusted promotoras de salud (community health workers) who guide members through every step of their care. —The Sorenson Impact Institute, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025

That’s due to several factors, such as challenges related to cost and access and hesitancy among some cardiologists and primary care physicians. —Annika Kim Constantino,ashley Capoot, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2025

Services include pediatric health, adult health, pediatric and family dentistry, prenatal care, care coordination, primary care, short-term and long-term behavioral health therapy, and speech therapy. —Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for primary care

• concessionaire
• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare

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 care