Family medicine is a branch of medicine that provides comprehensive healthcare for people of all ages — from infants and children to teens and adults.

Rather than focusing on just one condition or age group, family medicine takes a whole-person approach to your health. Your family medicine doctor gets to know you, your medical history and your individual health needs, helping you stay healthy while also diagnosing and treating illnesses when they arise.

You can choose a family medicine doctor to be your primary care doctor. Family medicine physicians provide comprehensive continuous care for the whole family.

In addition to treating common and long-term conditions and illnesses, they offer the following services:

• Routine annual check-ups
• Health risk assessments
• Preventive Screenings
• Vaccinations
• Management of chronic conditions, such as diabetes, asthma and high cholesterol
• Regular gynecological screenings, such as breast exams and Pap smears
• Coordination of referrals to specialists
• Reviewing test and lab results

Regular cervical cancer screening catches problems early by detecting changes in cervical cells before they turn into cancer. Your doctor will use a Pap test or a human papillomavirus test (HPV) to screen for cervical cancer. 

• Start screenings at age 21 to age 65.
• Health experts recommend screening every three to five years, depending on age and type of test. 
• There are two main screening tests: the Pap smear and the HPV test.
• Early cervical cancer usually does not have symptoms.

Early detection of breast cancer is key to treating it before it has a chance to grow or spread. Early detection is vital because that is when there are the most options for successful treatment. Your doctor can recommend screening options for you, based on family history and other risk factors. 

• Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in the United States.
• Start screenings at age 40 or 45 depending on risk factors.
• Screening is recommended every one to two years. 
• Mammograms are the main screening tool used to detect breast cancer.

Colorectal screening is crucial because it can detect precancerous polyps that can be removed before they turn into cancer. Regular screening can also find signs of cancer early, when the cancer is easier to treat. Talk with your primary care doctor about which screening is right for you.

• Colon cancer is the 4th most common cancer in the United States.
• Start screenings at age 45.
• Early stages of colorectal cancer do not always cause symptoms.
• There are several screening options available.

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, affects nearly half of adults in the United States. It is one of the most common conditions screened for during routine visits and a leading risk factor for heart disease, stroke and other serious health conditions. Checking blood pressure regularly allows providers to detect problems early and help patients take steps to protect their long-term health.

• High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
• The standard guideline is to have blood pressure checked once a year.
• Healthy lifestyle factors, such as exercise and eating well, can help prevent and treat high blood pressure. 
• A healthy blood pressure reading is less than 120/80.

Virtual Care at Scripps allows you to receive care with a Scripps provider at your convenience from home or another location. Telemedicine options include video visits and e-visits; we also offer a free symptom checker so you can evaluate your symptoms and determine the best route of care.

Scripps HealthExpress same-day, walk-in clinics provide care for minor illnesses and injuries, and administer select vaccinations. HealthExpress clinics are open every day, including weekends and holidays. You can go online to view wait times at nearby HealthExpress clinics, then select the On My Way option to be added to the queue of patients waiting to be seen.

When you have a more serious illness or injury, but not serious enough for the emergency room, our three urgent care centers are available, including a 24-hour urgent care in La Jolla. 

Always go the emergency room when life or limb are at risk. The emergency physicians and staff are ready for any critical situation 24 hours a day, seven days a week.