Mom walks with her kids on a bridge.

Nurturing Health: Fostering the Patient/Provider Relationship Across Generations

“But I’m not sick.” Chances are, you’ve either said this yourself or have had a loved one say it to you when the topic of seeing a doctor for an annual checkup has arisen. At Island Health (IH), we take care of our community, and that really starts with a good relationship with your primary care provider.

The best way to build that relationship is to see your provider regularly, not just when you’re sick. Amanda Jonasen, RN, knows this firsthand. She started seeing Dr. Jason Hogge 10 years ago when she was pregnant with her first child. At that time, she was completing her nursing degree and said the treatment she received at IH was amazing.

“It’s why I work here now. The staff worked so well together, and I knew I wanted to be a part of that,” Amanda said.

Since delivering her son, Dr. Hogge has remained Amanda’s primary care provider and takes care of her whole family, even when they’re not sick. Coincidentally, Amanda’s parents and grandparents have also been under Dr. Hogge’s care. She said it’s so important to find someone you’re comfortable with and that the continuity over time is imperative. Because he cared for her during both her pregnancies, now 10 and 4, Amanda said Dr. Hogge knows everything about her health and theirs.

Dr. Hogge encourages patients to find someone they’re comfortable with and then to make that annual visit a priority, even when they’re feeling healthy.

“It helps us not only keep track of everything going on physically with our patients, but we also really enjoy learning about how their lives have changed, what they’ve been up to since we last saw them. We truly like knowing our patients,” Dr. Hogge said.

So if it’s been a while, give us a call. We’re here to care for you when you’re sick and well

Island Health primary care clinics have new patient appointments available. Call 360.293.3101 to book your appointment today!

If you are interested in joining the Island Health Family, visit our careers page.

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