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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Professional Testing Medical testing for autism may involve working with a neurologist, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, or a primary care provider. Heidi Moawad, Md, Verywell Health, 18 Apr. 2025 When equipped with innovative technology and supported by local health facilities, Village Health Workers play an indispensable role in meeting the primary care needs of their communities and advancing equitable care for children living with NCDs in Zimbabwe. Cynthia Tully, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025 That's not surprising, as most workplace surveys show the supply of primary care doctors has fallen well below the demand. Karen Brown, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025 The county has one primary care physician for every 680 people, compared with one physician for every 1,330 people nationally. Kale Williams, Axios, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for primary care

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of primary care was in 1967

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Primary care.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primary%20care. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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