Dr. Braden Blankenship is a family medicine doctor at St. Elizabeth Physicians. He grew up in eastern Kentucky and sees patients at Primary Care – Newport Ovation.
What is Family Medicine, and Why is it Important?
Family practitioners are physicians trained to provide comprehensive healthcare are qualified to provide comprehensive healthcare for people of all ages. I think of us as healers, teachers and guides. Healers because we treat illnesses and help patients improve their overall health. Teachers because we educate them about their risk for certain diseases. And guides because we help patients navigate the health system when they need testing or care from another provider, such as a physical therapist or a heart doctor.
As a family medicine specialist, I often have the privilege of caring for multiple people in the same family. These relationships give me insight into their family health history and provide a big-picture understanding of their challenges and the resources they need to enjoy better health.
What Conditions do Family Medicine Doctors Treat?
Family medicine doctors treat common illnesses, such as allergies, flu, ear infections and minor injuries. However, patients are often surprised to know that we also treat more complex conditions, like diabetes, high blood pressure and arthritis, just to name a few. We can also diagnose and treat mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disease.
Family medicine doctors also focus on disease prevention and early detection. During physical exams, we ensure your vaccines are current. We may also order blood tests to identify any possible concerns. We will discuss which health screenings to schedule based on your age and risk factors.
How Often Should People Have a Check-Up With Their Family Medicine Doctor?
I encourage adults ages 18 and older to come in every year for a check-up. However, if a close family member develops a chronic condition like high blood pressure or diabetes, let your doctor know. They may want you to make an appointment to reassess your risk factors.
Guidelines for children are different. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 11 well-baby check-ups before age 3 to track your baby’s growth, development and health needs. After that, it’s once a year until age 18.
Routine visits allow doctors and patients to touch base from a medical standpoint and get to know one another. Understanding my patients’ worries and hopes lets me provide better care. And when patients know me, they feel more comfortable opening up about their health concerns and asking questions.
What Should Patients do to Prevent Disease and Catch it Early?
We are all familiar with the advice to follow a well-balanced diet, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight and avoid tobacco products. It’s excellent advice — good lifestyle choices go a long way toward preventing disease.
Open communication with your doctor is just as important. Tell them about any health concerns when you go in for your check-up. Be honest when your doctor asks questions about your diet, sexual activity, mental health, alcohol and tobacco use and family and personal health history. The more information your doctor has, the more they can help.
What Up-And-Coming Treatment Options are Available in the Primary Care Setting?
Family medicine doctors use many tools to help patients achieve the best outcomes possible. One of the newer ones is pharmacogenomic screening, and I’m happy to say it’s available at St. Elizabeth Healthcare.
Pharmacogenomics studies how each person’s genes affect their body’s response to drugs like pain relievers, psychiatric medications and chemotherapy drugs. Test results help doctors prescribe meds that are likely to work best for you.
Another area of medicine where we’re seeing a lot of growth is in the use of weight loss drugs. According to a May 2024 Gallup poll, 6% of U.S. adults have tried these drugs, and 3% are currently using them. If you are considering taking Ozempic or another weight loss drug, I encourage you to talk to your family doctor about the benefits and downsides. These drugs can help people lose weight, but you’ll need a long-term plan to keep the weight off. The drugs are costly and can take a while to work. And side effects can be mild to severe.
Is St. Elizabeth Doing Anything Innovative in Family Medicine?
Yes, and I’m excited to say that my practice is right in the middle of the innovation. In July, three doctors from my practice (including me) moved to a new location at the Ovation in Newport, Kentucky. We will offer a new, team-based care model. This practice will include doctors, advanced practice providers, nurses and medical assistants to work alongside social workers, clinical pharmacy and care coordination. Together, we’ll provide wraparound care and support to help patients on their health journey.
I look forward to seeing how this model benefits patients. If successful, we envision expanding the model to other practices, not just in Northern Kentucky but in different areas as well. The Newport Ovation office is accepting new patients. Please call 800-737-7900 to schedule an appointment in this new care model or visit www.stelizabethphysicians.com to find a provider close to you.
