Mary Huntly

Primary care is often the first step in someone’s health journey. For many, it is where questions are answered, fears are eased, and plans for better health begin. But the heart of primary care is not only in medicine. It is also in the art of listening. Doctors who listen with care and patience can change lives in ways that tests and prescriptions alone cannot. “The art of listening : primary care with heart” shows us that true healing begins when people feel understood. Why Listening Is Essential in Primary Care Listening is not just a skill. It is a form of care. In primary care, patients often share stories about pain, habits, family, and emotions. Each story holds important clues. A doctor who listens can connect these details and find the right path forward. Without good listening, small details can be lost. Those details may be the key to understanding the root cause of a health problem. Listening makes the difference between treating symptoms and treating the whole person. Buil...

The Modern Complexity of Care Healthcare has never been more advanced, but with that progress comes layers of complexity that often leave patients uncertain about where to turn. Specialists, diagnostic centers, urgent care facilities, and insurance networks form a web that is difficult to navigate without guidance. For many, the solution lies in their primary care provider (PCP), who steps into the role of health navigator. Far from being simply the doctor you see for an annual checkup, a PCP now acts as the central guide who connects patients to the right care at the right time. A Central Point of Connection What makes primary care invaluable is its ability to serve as a consistent hub in a fragmented system. Patients often move through different parts of healthcare—labs, specialists, imaging centers—but without a clear point of contact, important details may slip through the cracks. A PCP ensures that these details are not only tracked but also integrated into a complete picture o...

Let’s be honest—healthcare can sometimes feel like it’s built on cookie-cutter solutions . You walk in with a concern, and you walk out with a standard set of instructions. But life isn’t one-size-fits-all, and your health plan shouldn’t be either. That’s where personalized care plans come in. A personalized care plan is exactly what it sounds like: a health plan designed around you—your goals, your lifestyle, and your values. Imagine two people with the same condition. One might want more energy to chase after their grandkids, while the other just wants to stay independent and keep up with daily routines. Same condition, very different priorities. Personalized care plans make room for both. And here’s the kicker: research shows that people are more likely to stick to care when it’s tailored to them. When the plan makes sense in your life, following it doesn’t feel like such a chore. The Building Blocks of a Personalized Care Plan So what actually goes into a personalized care plan? Fi...

Good health is one of the most valuable things you can have, but it is easy to forget that it needs care and attention. Many people only visit a doctor when they're experiencing symptoms. By then, a health issue might already be more challenging to treat. The more innovative approach is to schedule regular check-ups, even when you feel fine. These visits allow you to catch problems early, prevent future illness, and keep your health on track. When you make them part of your routine, you give yourself a decisive advantage in staying well. Why Routine Visits Matter Routine visits are more than a quick check of your blood pressure or weight. They are a way for your healthcare provider to understand your overall health and detect subtle changes. Many conditions, such as high cholesterol, diabetes, or vitamin deficiencies, can develop without symptoms. You might feel fine, but still be at risk. During a check-up, your provider can run tests and track trends that reveal early warning si...