Pioneer Continuing Care Providers, PC

Internal Medicine

Pioneer Continuing Care Providers, PC is an Internal Medicine practice in Springfield, MA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Internists specialize in puzzling medical problems and in the ongoing care of chronic illnesses. Internists also specialize in preventing disease by promoting health, and are trained to manage multisystem disease conditions that single-organ-disease specialists may not be trained to address. Internal Medicine Doctors at Pioneer Continuing Care Providers, PC perform assessment, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment therapies for diseases and disorders in adult patients. Internal Medicine is a medical specialty focused on study, prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of short and long term multi-organ conditions. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Internal Medicine practices include cold and flu, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and chronic lung disease. Internists generally act as personal physicians and often develop long-term relationships with their patients. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Internal Medicine practices include medical history reviews, physical exams, blood tests, scans, and other diagnostic tests, as well as specialist referrals. Internists may choose to practice only in the hospital, only in an outpatient clinic, or in both.

A physician who provides long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common and complex illness of adolescents, adults and the elderly. Internists are trained in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, infections and diseases affecting the heart, blood, kidneys, joints and digestive, respiratory and vascular systems. They are also trained in the essentials of primary care internal medicine, which incorporates an understanding of disease prevention, wellness, substance abuse, mental health and effective treatment of common problems of the eyes, ears, skin, nervous system and reproductive organs.

Family Medicine

Pioneer Continuing Care Providers, PC is a Family Medicine practice in Springfield, MA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in family-centric healthcare. Family Medicine Doctors at Pioneer Continuing Care Providers, PC perform medical history analysis, diagnostics, and treatments for a wide variety of dysfunctions, conditions, and injuries. Family Medicine is a medical specialty devoted to the medical care of the family unit. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Family Medicine practices include cold and flu, asthma and allergies, ear and eye infections, yeast infections, diabetes, high blood pressure, hormone imbalance, nutritional imbalance, stress and depression, muscle tears and sprains, and sexually transmitted diseases. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Family Medicine practices include annual exams, immunizations, medication refills, hormone level testing, cardiovascular testing, pap smears and genital exams, specialist referrals, and patient education.

Family Medicine is the medical specialty which is concerned with the total health care of the individual and the family. It is the specialty in breadth which integrates the biological, clinical, and behavioral sciences. The scope of family medicine is not limited by age, sex, organ system, or disease entity.

Geriatric Internal Medicine

Pioneer Continuing Care Providers, PC is a Geriatric Internal Medicine practice in Springfield, MA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in promoting wellness and providing health care for senior patients. Geriatric Internal Medicine Doctors at Pioneer Continuing Care Providers, PC perform comprehensive interdisciplinary care for the physical, emotional, and social well-being of both healthy and frail senior patients. Geriatric Internal Medicine is a medical specialty that enables patients to manage natural aging life stages by preventing and treating age-related conditions, and preserving patients' independence and quality of life. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Geriatric Internal Medicine practices include nutrition deficiencies, hormone imbalances, psychological issues, medication side effects, incontinence, heart disease, epilepsy, osteoporosis, fall injuries, frailty, strokes, Alzheimer's Disease, and cancer. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Geriatric Internal Medicine practices include standard preventative wellness screenings and treatments, nutrition counseling, psychological counseling, lifestyle interventions, post-fall rehabilitation, living accomodation transition, and nursing home care.

An internist who has special knowledge of the aging process and special skills in the diagnostic, therapeutic, preventive and rehabilitative aspects of illness in the elderly. This specialist cares for geriatric patients in the patient's home, the office, long-term care settings such as nursing homes and the hospital.

Rheumatology

Pioneer Continuing Care Providers, PC is a Rheumatology practice in Springfield, MA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in diagnosing, treating, and preventing disorders related to inflammation of the joints, muscles, and ligaments. Rheumatologists at Pioneer Continuing Care Providers, PC perform physical examination, imaging, and testing for musculoskeletal and systemic autoimmune conditions, commonly called rheumatic diseases. Rheumatology is a medical specialty dedicated to treating diseases and disorders related to conditions that cause joint, muscle, and bone pain, stiffness, and deformity. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Rheumatology practices include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, gout, chronic pain in the back, neck, knee, hip, or other joint, fibromyalgia, tendonitis, vasculitis, lupus, scleroderma, myositis, and antiphospholipid syndrome. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Rheumatology practices include x-ray, MRI, and CT imaging, rheumatoid factor testing, c-reactive protein testing, synovial fluid testing, pain medication prescription, physical therapy referral, dietary recommendations, and referral to other specialists as needed.

An internist who treats diseases of joints, muscle, bones and tendons. This specialist diagnoses and treats arthritis, back pain, muscle strains, common athletic injuries and "collagen" diseases.

Physician Assisting

A physician assistant is a person who has successfully completed an accredited education program for physician assistant, is licensed by the state and is practicing within the scope of that license. Physician assistants are formally trained to perform many of the routine, time-consuming tasks a physician can do. In some states, they may prescribe medications. They take medical histories, perform physical exams, order lab tests and x-rays, and give inoculations. Most states require that they work under the supervision of a physician.

Nurse Practice

A registered nurse provider with a graduate degree in nursing prepared for advanced practice involving independent and interdependent decision making and direct accountability for clinical judgment across the health care continuum or in a certified specialty. (2) A registered nurse who has completed additional training beyond basic nursing education and who provides primary health care services in accordance with state nurse practice laws or statutes. Tasks performed by nurse practitioners vary with practice requirements mandated by geographic, political, economic, and social factors. Nurse practitioner specialists include, but are not limited to, family nurse practitioners, gerontological nurse practitioners, pediatric nurse practitioners, obstetric-gynecologic nurse practitioners, and school nurse practitioners.