primary care physician (PCP)
Spanish: médico de cabecera
Description
A primary care physician (PCP) is a healthcare professional who provides comprehensive and continuous medical care to patients. They serve as the first point of contact for individuals seeking medical attention and coordinate patient care across various specialties.
Interpreter Notes
Interpreters should be aware that the term 'médico de cabecera' is commonly used in clinical settings to refer to a primary care physician. Variants such as 'médico general' may be encountered, but it is advisable to stick to 'médico de cabecera' in formal contexts to avoid confusion.
Example Sentences
EN: I need to schedule an appointment with my primary care physician (PCP) for a routine check-up.
ES: Necesito programar una cita con mi médico de cabecera para un chequeo de rutina.
Common Interpreter Mistakes
Confusing 'médico de cabecera' with 'especialista'; misinterpreting 'PCP' as a specific specialty; using informal language instead of formal medical terminology.