Gatekeepers' Pros and Cons

A gatekeeper is a primary care provider who acts as an agent for patients. They coordinate medical care so that patient receives appropriate services and also provide referrals to specialists. Typically, primary care physicians include family practitioner, generalist physician and pediatrician. Ideally, gatekeepers are much like family doctors, they focus on the health of the person as a whole instead of a single organ. They help emphasize prevention care and establish appropriate health screening based on the patient. On the hand, there are concerns that the system of gatekeeping makes urgent care inconvenient. The pros and cons surrounding the system of gatekeeping really question its effectiveness. On the other hand, no system is perfect, if the good can outweigh the bad, the gatekeeper system can be helpful in reducing health care cost and organize how patients receive care. Like other healthcare systems, systems that utilize a gatekeeper have both benefits and flaws. The first advantage of having a primary care provider (PCP) as a gatekeeper is that your healthcare will be organized. PCPs are trained to treat the entire person, physically, mentally and emotionally. Instead of honing on a single disease or organ, PCPs diagnose and treat both acute and chronic illnesses. They also help prevent diseases by providing routine health care check ups and counseling for lifestyle changes. If PCP suspects any problem, they make initial diagnoses, counsel their patients and make necessary referral to a specialist. After the patient is recovered with the help of a specialist, they return to their PCP who is updated with their current information and helps them with ongoing recovery and prevention. According to Palos Hospital Community, the involvement and communication that can develop between PCP and their patient help better overall health outcomes. When patients feel comfortable explaining intimates details of their health, their doctor can better understand their

Citations: "Advantages and Disadvantages of Managed Health Care." Insure Me. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 July 2013. <http://insureme.us/advantages-disadvantages-managed-health-care/>. Crist, Carolyn. "Primary Care Physician Shortage Requires System Overhaul, Panel Says." Primarycare Progress. N.p., 25 Apr. 2013. Web. 9 July 2013. <http://primarycareprogress.org/blogs/16/244>. Carlson, Gail. "What is a Gate Keeper?." Missouri Families. University of Missouri Extension, 5 May 2009. Web. 9 July 2013. <http://missourifamilies.org/features/healtharticles/health44.htm>. "Primary Care Physicians and Why You Need One." Palos Community Hospital. N.p., 2009. Web. 9 July 2013. <http://www.paloscommunityhospital.org/health/health-library/primary-care-physicians-and-why-you-need-one/>.