Your Primary Care Physician in Pocatello

LOOKING FOR A NEW PROVIDER IN POCATELLO?

When looking for a new provider or doctor in Pocatello, here are some reasons why InterMountain Medical Clinic (IMMC) can be a good fit for you, and your whole family.

InterMountain Medical Clinic (IMMC) is a local, privately owned comprehensive family medicine clinic in Pocatello, ID. Located in the medical complex near Highland High School.

We have a Walk-In Urgent Care right here in Pocatello. We have in-house Labs with Spirometry, EKG, and X-ray, as well as on-site Mammograms. We offer many common medical procedures in the office including vasectomy, birth control placement, osteopathic manipulation therapy as well as dermatology procedures –such as cryotherapy, biopsy, and ingrown toenail removal.

InterMountain Medical Clinic (IMMC) can treat and care for almost any patient. We have a provider(s) who provide Obstetric (OB) care, active military service providers, hospice providers, and a provider who is fellowship-trained in geriatric medicine. All our doctors are board-certified family medicine providers. Family medicine providers are uniquely positioned to meet the healthcare needs of your whole family!

Why Family Medicine Clinics are the Best Choice for Comprehensive Care for Every Member of Your Family by Dr. James Marble D.O.

When it comes to healthcare, many people often think of it in terms of visits for specific issues: a cold, an injury, or a prescription refill. But what if healthcare could be more than just “sick care”? Family medicine clinics offer something far more comprehensive—holistic, preventive care for patients of all ages. From newborns to seniors, a family practice provider can become a trusted partner in the lifelong journey of health for every member of your family.

Comprehensive, Lifelong Care

Family physicians are trained to care for individuals at every stage of life. Whether it’s your newborn’s first check-up, your teenager’s sports physical, your women’s health check (including in house mammogram), or your elderly parent’s chronic condition management, a family medicine provider can care for it all. Family doctors don’t just focus on a single system of the body or a narrow set of conditions; they take a holistic approach to health, considering all aspects of your well-being.

Because family physicians care for patients from birth through their “wisdom years,” they develop deep, long-term relationships with their patients. This means your family doctor gets to know your health history inside and out, can track changes over time, and has a comprehensive view of your family’s health needs. This continuity of care allows your provider to offer tailored guidance and advice that is both personalized and proactive.

Preventive Care to Help Avoid Chronic Diseases

In family medicine, the emphasis is on healthcare, not just sick care. Our family physicians here in Pocatello are committed to helping you live your healthiest life by focusing on prevention, lifestyle and wellness, along with treatments and medication therapies. Through regular check-ups, screenings, and discussions about lifestyle choices, family doctors help you and your family avoid preventable illnesses, catch diseases early, and reduce the impact of chronic conditions.

This approach is particularly important when it comes to combating the rising costs of healthcare. Preventing chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity is not only better for your health, it’s also more cost-effective in the long run. By promoting healthy behaviors, offering vaccinations, and guiding families on nutrition, exercise, and stress management, family physicians work with you to help prevent many of the health problems that could lead to higher medical bills later on.

A Personal Approach to Healthcare

One of the most significant advantages of family medicine is the opportunity for a personal relationship with your provider. Family physicians take time to understand your unique medical history, lifestyle, and needs. They don’t just treat individual symptoms or conditions—they treat the whole person (and family.)

This relationship is key in offering holistic care. For example, when your provider understands your family dynamics, your mental and emotional health, and your daily habits, they can provide recommendations that are realistic and effective. Whether it’s advising on how to balance a busy work schedule with healthy habits, or helping your child navigate the challenges of adolescence, your family doctor is there as a constant support.

From Newborns to Seniors: Care for All Ages

Family medicine is all about variety. Family doctors are equipped to care for everyone in the family, from the youngest to the oldest. Newborns need regular wellness checks to track their growth, development, and vaccination schedule, while children and teens need guidance on their changing bodies, puberty, and mental health. Adults rely on family doctors to manage chronic conditions, screen for cancers, and promote healthy lifestyles. Seniors, too, benefit from the ongoing care that family physicians provide, particularly when it comes to managing multiple health conditions and preventing falls or cognitive decline.

In family medicine, the whole family is seen as a unit. By working together, family physicians help coordinate care across all age groups, ensuring that each family member’s health needs are met in a way that complements the other members. It’s the ultimate form of integrated care, where your family doctor looks after every generation.

Long-Term Relationships Built on Trust

Building a relationship with a family physician means you have a healthcare provider who understands you and your family over time. This level of trust is invaluable, especially when managing complex health conditions or dealing with sensitive issues such as mental health or aging. With a family doctor, you’re not just another patient on the schedule—you’re a partner in your own health journey.

A family practice provider becomes a guide for your family’s health, helping to navigate the often-confusing world of healthcare decisions and offering consistency when other providers might change due to insurance or location. Over time, your doctor can anticipate your needs, monitor trends in your health, and offer advice that grows with you.

Lower Costs and Improved Access to Care

One of the great benefits of family medicine is that it helps manage overall healthcare costs. By emphasizing prevention and early intervention, family physicians can help avoid the need for expensive emergency room visits, hospital stays, or specialized treatments that arise from unmanaged chronic conditions. Additionally, our family medicine providers often offer more accessible appointments, meaning you won’t have to wait weeks for a specialist or drive to multiple locations to see different providers.

This holistic, cost-effective care model makes family medicine a strong choice for families looking to provide consistent, reliable care without breaking the bank.

In Summary:

Family medicine clinics are uniquely designed to serve every member of your family, from newborns to seniors. Family physicians focus on more than just treating illness—they deliver health care that emphasizes prevention, wellness, and long-term well-being. With personalized care, long-lasting relationships, and a holistic approach, family medicine is an excellent choice for those seeking comprehensive healthcare that lasts a lifetime.

So next time you think about your family’s health needs, consider the benefit of choosing InterMountain Medical Clinic (IMMC) where everyone’s health—no matter their age—is treated with care, compassion, and continuity. After all, there’s nothing more important than the health of your family, and family medicine providers are here to help you nurture it every step of the way.

InterMountain Medical Clinic (IMMC) is happy to partner with you in this and we have multiple providers accepting new patients of all ages. Connect with your children and share the same doctor, get your mammogram, or visit the Urgent Care within our clinic, and support a local, privately owned clinic here in Pocatello, ID. We accept almost all insurances including private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid.

Thank you for considering us on who to trust your health with, we hope to see you and your family soon!

-Dr. James Marble, D.O.

***Several studies have demonstrated the positive impact of having a family doctor on patient outcomes. For instance, patients with a regular family doctor report better patient-reported outcomes, including higher satisfaction, greater enablement, and a higher likelihood of recommending their doctor to others.^[1] Additionally, continuity of care with a family physician is associated with lower rates of emergency department visits and hospitalizations, particularly among patients with complex health needs.^[2]

Moreover, family physicians play a crucial role in providing comprehensive and coordinated care, which is linked to improved quality of primary care and patient satisfaction.^[3] The presence of a family doctor also enhances preventive care services and chronic disease management, leading to better overall health outcomes.^[4-5]

In summary, the evidence strongly supports the benefits of having a family medicine doctor, highlighting improvements in patient satisfaction, reduced hospital utilization, and enhanced quality of care.

1.Having a Family Doctor Is Associated With Some Better Patient-Reported Outcomes of Primary Care Consultations.Lam CL, Yu EY, Lo YY, et al.Frontiers in Medicine. 2014;1:29. doi:10.3389/fmed.2014.00029.

2.The Impact of Primary Care Clinic and Family Physician Continuity on Patient Health Outcomes: A Retrospective Analysis From Alberta, Canada.McDonald T, Ronksley PE, Cook LL, et al.Annals of Family Medicine. 2024 May-Jun;22(3):223-229. doi:10.1370/afm.3107.

3.Family Practice and the Quality of Primary Care: A Study of Chinese Patients in Guangdong Province.Kuang L, Liang Y, Mei J, et al.Family Practice. 2015;32(5):557-63. doi:10.1093/fampra/cmv064.

4.Family Physicians Improve Patient Health Care Quality and Outcomes.Bowman MA, Neale AV.Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM. 2013 Nov-Dec;26(6):617-9. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2013.06.130251.

5.Can Family Doctor System Improve Health Service Utilization for Patients With Hypertension and Diabetes in China? A Difference-in-Differences Study.Zhang L, Zhang P, Chen W.BMC Health Services Research. 2024;24(1):454. doi:10.1186/s12913-024-10903-6.