Why It Helps to Have a Doctor Who Knows You

A primary care physician is often described as the starting point for healthcare, but their role goes far beyond treating occasional illnesses.

“To put it simply, it’s the physician who knows your story and walks alongside you through your healthcare journey,” said Dr. Roman Blount IV, with Lexington Family Practice Ballentine.

Primary care physicians (PCPs) serve as the first point of contact for most health concerns and play a central role in coordinating care over time. This group includes doctors specializing in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics and OB/GYN.

“It’s the first place patients bring their health concerns,” Dr. Blount explained. “We get to know them, understand their medical history, and help guide next steps—whether that’s managing a chronic condition, addressing a new concern, or coordinating referrals to specialists.”

A key part of that role is continuity. Primary care is built on long-term relationships that develop over time, allowing physicians to better understand not just a patient’s medical history, but the context around it.

“It’s important because of the relationship,” Dr. Blount said. “It allows a person to be known and heard over a period of time. As that relationship evolves, you start to understand barriers to care—things that aren’t always obvious in quicker or one-time healthcare visits.”

That understanding can be especially important when patients are facing complex or emotional decisions.

A trusting relationship allows me to be present when patients receive good news or bad news,” he said. “It helps me understand why someone may hesitate to pursue a certain treatment, so we can talk through options together and make decisions that align with their goals and values. Those conversations are hard to have in a one-and-done setting.”

Primary care physicians also frequently help patients interpret information they receive from other parts of the healthcare system.

“A lot of my communication is patients asking what I think about a procedure or process they’ve been told they may need,” Dr. Blount said. “I may not be the specialist, but because of the relationship, I can help answer questions and support them as they navigate what comes next.”

Preventive care is another cornerstone of primary care. Rather than reacting to illness alone, PCPs focus on identifying risks early and addressing them before complications develop.

“If someone has a high risk for diabetes, for example, we want to address that early,” Dr. Blount noted. “That way, we can work to prevent or delay complications. It gives patients more insight into what’s going on with their health so they can make informed decisions.”

For patients who don’t yet have a primary care provider, finding one doesn’t have to be complicated.

“It can be as simple as searching online for a family medicine doctor, internist, pediatrician, or OB/GYN near you,” Dr. Blount said. “And it’s important to remember it’s not one size fits all. If you don’t feel like you connect with a provider, it’s okay to keep looking.”

He compares it to finding any trusted professional.

“Not everyone is the right fit,” he said. “What matters is having a healthcare team you feel comfortable with—one you trust as questions come up over time and care needs evolve.”

At its core, primary care is about partnership, continuity, and understanding—helping patients make sense of their health over the long term, not just in isolated moments.

To find a primary care provider who is right for you, visit LexHealth.com. 


Roman P. Blount IV MD, Lexington Family Practice Ballentine