Dr. Patrick Harris, DO is a Family Medicine physician dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive care for older adults at his clinic in Palatka, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Your family doctor is your primary partner in managing your health throughout your senior years, coordinating complex care, managing chronic conditions, and focusing on your overall well-being and independence to help you thrive. He serves adults, with a focus on those aging into and throughout their senior years. At this time, Dr. Harris is not accepting new patients, but you can call (386) 328-2222 to inquire about waitlists or future openings.
Dr. Patrick Harris, DO is a family medicine physician in Palatka, FL and has over 25 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1997 and is affiliated with HCA Florida Putnam Hospital. With over 25 years of dedicated experience in Family Medicine care, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He is Board Certified in Family Practice by the American Board of Family Medicine. He is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients and their families feel heard and empowered in their healthcare decisions. Dr. Harris provides consultations primarily in English.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-doctor partnership. Dr. Patrick Harris is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Harris acts as a compassionate and dedicated partner in your senior health journey, providing comprehensive family medicine care. He understands the complexities of aging, proactively managing chronic conditions and coordinating care with specialists to ensure your overall well-being and independence. His focus is on creating a personalized plan to help you thrive and maintain the highest quality of life possible.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Patrick Harris can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Aetna
- Blue Card High Performance Network HPN
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- BlueCard PPO
- BlueCare HMO
- BlueOptions
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- Choice
- Choice Care Network PPO
- Choice Care PPO
- Cigna
- Cigna HMO
- Cigna PPO
- Commercial Individual POS
- Florida Blue
- Florida Health Care Plan
- HealthyBlue Advantage
- Humana
- Ind/Fam/Emp Triple Option
- Managed Choice (Open Access) POS
- Open Access Plus
- Seamless HMO
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Patrick Harris provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Managing chronic fatigue syndrome often involves a combination of strategies like pacing activities, stress reduction techniques, and sometimes medication to help improve energy levels and overall well-being.
- Anal or Rectal Pain: Anal or rectal pain can be a challenging symptom for seniors, but prompt medical care can help identify the cause and provide effective solutions for better quality of life.
- Adhesive Capsulitis Shoulder: Don't let a frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) keep you from enjoying life! This condition causes shoulder stiffness and pain, but with a combination of therapies such as medication, physical therapy, and sometimes cortisone injections, you can significantly improve your range of motion and ease discomfort.
- Urinary Incontinence: Experiencing accidental urine leakage? You're not alone; urinary incontinence affects many older adults, and with the right care plan including exercises, medication, or devices you can regain control and improve your quality of life.
- Neurogenic Bladder: As we age, nerve damage can sometimes affect bladder function, leading to a neurogenic bladder. This means your bladder may not empty completely or might empty too often, but we can work together to manage these symptoms and maintain your quality of life.
- Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis): Pinkeye is an inflammation of the eye's lining, causing discomfort and potentially affecting your vision. Prompt treatment from your physician, often involving antibiotic eye drops, will quickly clear up the infection and restore your eyesight.
- Achilles Tendinitis: Experiencing heel pain? It might be Achilles tendinitis, a common condition causing inflammation in the back of your ankle. Treatment often involves rest, ice, and gentle stretching to help reduce discomfort and regain your active lifestyle.
- Gait Abnormality: Changes in your walking style, like shuffling or stumbling, can be a sign of an underlying health problem. Addressing these issues can help prevent falls and improve your quality of life.
- Dry Skin: Dry skin can lead to cracking and discomfort, but using gentle lotions and paying attention to hydration can help maintain your skin's health and improve your overall well-being.
- Osteopenia: While osteopenia doesn't always cause symptoms, it increases your risk of fractures; however, proactive steps such as dietary changes and regular weight-bearing exercise can significantly reduce this risk.
- Vitamin D Deficiency: Vitamin D is crucial for strong bones and a healthy immune system, and low levels are surprisingly common as we age. Taking a vitamin D supplement, as recommended by your doctor, can help prevent falls and improve your overall well-being.
- Itchy Skin: Itchy skin, a common problem as we age, can be relieved with simple remedies like moisturizing lotions and avoiding harsh soaps, improving comfort and daily life.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Dr. Patrick Harris offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Hepatitis A Screening: Hepatitis A screening helps detect this liver infection early, allowing for prompt treatment and preventing serious complications.
- Pregnancy Test: For women of all ages, a pregnancy test helps ensure accurate diagnosis and informs decisions regarding reproductive healthcare within a comprehensive care plan.
- Hepatitis B Virus Screening: A hepatitis B screening is a vital part of your preventative health care, offering early identification of this potentially damaging virus, improving your long-term wellbeing.
- Wheelchair Evaluation: As part of a comprehensive care plan, a wheelchair evaluation ensures seniors have the proper equipment to maintain activity levels and participate in daily life.
- Physical Examination: This comprehensive check-up involves reviewing your medical history, performing a physical assessment, and ordering necessary tests to provide a holistic view of your well-being.
- Blood Allergy Testing: This test pinpoints the allergens triggering your hives, rash, or breathing problems, enabling better management of your allergies as you age.
- ACTH (Cosyntropin) Stimulation Test: By accurately assessing your cortisol levels, this test helps your doctor create a personalized plan to maintain your overall health and address potential hormonal imbalances.
- Alcohol Misuse Screening and Counseling: As part of your comprehensive care plan, alcohol misuse screening and counseling can help prevent or manage health problems related to alcohol use.
- Osteoporosis Screening: As part of your comprehensive care plan, osteoporosis screening helps your doctor understand your bone health and personalize preventive strategies.
- Diabetic Evaluation: This check-up thoroughly assesses your diabetes, helping your doctor identify any complications and adjust your treatment as needed.
- Cardiovascular Stress Test: This test helps diagnose potential heart problems by measuring your heart's response to exercise, ensuring your care plan addresses any underlying issues.
- Wart Removal: Wart removal can be part of a comprehensive plan to manage skin health and ensure your comfort and confidence throughout your senior years.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Family Medicine in Florida.
Dr. Patrick Harris is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- With a tailored approach to pacing activities and stress reduction, a senior felt a significant improvement in energy levels, allowing them to reconnect with their beloved grandchildren.
- A senior couple found significant relief from persistent anal pain, allowing them to resume their weekly bridge club games with renewed enjoyment. Their confidence in managing their daily routines at home also improved substantially.
- Mrs. Davis, a vibrant 78-year-old, found renewed freedom to reach for high shelves and confidently dress herself, thanks to a treatment plan that eased her frozen shoulder pain.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
View on Map
- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
- American Board of Family Medicine (Family Practice)
Here are answers to some common questions about Family Medicine care with Dr. Patrick Harris:
- How is a Family Physician suited to care for seniors?
- Dr. Harris and our practice are uniquely suited to care for seniors because we often care for patients throughout their lives. This allows us to have a deep understanding of their complete health history. We're experts in managing chronic conditions and coordinating all aspects of a senior's care, making us a trusted primary care partner.
- What happens during an annual wellness visit for a senior?
- Your annual wellness visit with Dr. Harris is a key opportunity to partner on health goals. We'll review your medications, perform a physical exam, check your memory and mobility, and discuss personalized preventive screenings like bone density or cancer checks.
- How should I prepare for my appointment to make the most of our time?
- To make the most of your appointment with Dr. Harris, please write down your top health questions, bring a list of all your current medications (including over-the-counter ones), and be prepared to discuss any new symptoms, no matter how minor they seem. This will help Dr. Harris provide the best possible care.
- Can family members or caregivers be involved in my care?
- Absolutely. With your permission, we encourage family members and caregivers to be involved in your care. This team approach helps ensure clear communication and provides the best possible support for your health.
- Do you perform minor skin procedures, like removing a skin tag or mole?
- Dr. Harris and our staff can often perform minor skin procedures like removing skin tags or suspicious moles in the office. We also handle freezing precancerous spots (actinic keratosis), making these important procedures convenient and accessible for our patients.
- Can I come in for urgent issues like a fall, a bad cold, or a UTI?
- Yes, you can come in for urgent issues like a fall, bad cold, or UTI. Seeing Dr. Harris for these acute illnesses is ideal because he knows your health history and medications. Our practice can treat these common ailments, helping you avoid unnecessary trips to urgent care.
- How do you help with managing multiple medications?
- Dr. Harris and our team prioritize medication safety. We conduct regular reviews to check for interactions, simplify regimens when possible, and ensure every medication is still necessary and effective. This partnership helps to avoid potential problems and keep you healthy.
- Can you help manage joint pain from arthritis?
- Yes, Dr. Harris and our team can help manage joint pain from arthritis. Family physicians are often the first point of contact for arthritis management, and treatment can include advice on safe exercises, anti-inflammatory medications, and sometimes joint injections to improve mobility and reduce pain.
200 Mission Rd
Palatka FL 32177
Phone: (386) 328-2222
Dr. Patrick Harris, DO is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1063525350
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Family Medicine like Dr. Patrick Harris are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.