Every good team needs a captain — someone who has a deep understanding of the game, knows the players and can think strategically about the future. When it comes to your health, having a primary care physician is like having a co-captain: someone who can help guide you through your health journey, manage chronic conditions, navigate specialty care options and who understands your health care needs throughout your life.
We've asked Stanislaw Bankowski, MD, internal medicine physician at UC San Diego Health, three questions about why a primary care physician is a key player on your health care team.
What type of care does a primary care physician provide?
I think of primary care as providing consistent, comprehensive care throughout adulthood. It's about much more than treating illness when it happens. My goal is to help people stay healthy, identify problems early, and prevent disease whenever we can.
Of course, we also help manage chronic conditions, like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma, and many others. But equally important is understanding the person behind the diagnosis. Everyone comes with different experiences, priorities, cultural backgrounds, and personal beliefs. Those factors matter. I believe the best medical decisions are shared decisions, ones that combine the best available medical evidence with what matters most to each individual patient.
Today's health care system can be complicated and overwhelming. One of the most valuable roles of a primary care physician is helping patients navigate that system — whether that's deciding when a specialist is needed, interpreting test results, coordinating care, or simply answering questions along the way.
I want my patients to know they have someone who listens carefully, explains things clearly, and helps them make informed decisions with confidence.
How do I find a primary care physician who is right for me?
Finding a primary care physician is about finding someone whose approach to care fits your needs.
Medical knowledge is important, but so is communication. You want someone who listens carefully, explains things in a way you understand, and welcomes your questions. Health care decisions are rarely one-size-fits-all. They should take into account not only the medical evidence, but also your goals, values, cultural background, and personal preferences.
It's also worth considering practical things, like appointment availability, whether virtual visits are offered when appropriate, and whether the physician's style of care matches what you're looking for. Personally, I enjoy incorporating virtual follow-up visits when it makes sense, especially after we've had the opportunity to meet in person.
Language can also make a difference. I'm fluent in Polish and speak conversational Spanish, enough to introduce myself, obtain a basic history, and communicate during urgent situations. Whenever more detailed conversations are needed, I work with professional interpreters to ensure clear and accurate communication.
Ultimately, the right physician is someone you feel comfortable talking to honestly, someone who listens, respects your perspective, and works with you to make decisions that fit both your health and your life.
What is the difference between primary care, family medicine and internal medicine?
Primary care is a broad term that refers to the health care professionals who provide first-contact, ongoing medical care.
Family medicine physicians care for patients of all ages, from newborns to older adults.
As an internal medicine physician, I specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases in adults. My training is focused entirely on adult medicine, including both preventive care and the management of complex medical conditions.
For most adults, both family medicine and internal medicine physicians provide excellent primary care. The most important factor isn't necessarily the specialty — it's finding a physician whose approach, communication style, and philosophy of care are a good match for your needs.
For me, that means taking time to listen, emphasizing prevention whenever possible, and working alongside my patients to help them make decisions that fit their lives and their goals. I believe good medicine starts with a good conversation.
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