Dr. Darshan Patel, MD

Dr. Darshan Patel, MD is a Family Medicine physician practicing at AdventHealth Medical Group Family and Internal Medicine at Heathbrook in Ocala, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Family Medicine care. Your family medicine doctor is your primary partner in lifelong health, crafting personalized preventive care plans, coordinating essential screenings, and managing your overall wellness journey from childhood to senior years. He serves all ages, from newborns to seniors, and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (352) 401-8800 to schedule.

Dr. Patel is a dual board-certified family & geriatrics medicine physician, a Diplomate in the American Board of Obesity Medicine & Lifestyle Medicine, and a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. His specialties encompass comprehensive care for younger and older adults, men's and women's health, sub-acute and chronic care, weight management, behavioral health, and office procedures. As a passionate geriatrician, Dr. Patel's multifaceted approach to older adult care focuses on promoting wellness and independent function, reducing polypharmacy, and managing conditions such as dementia, delirium, depression, osteoporosis, sleep disorders, and pain. He earned his medical degree from N.H.L. Medical College and is Board Certified in Family Practice by the American Board of Family Medicine. He is fluent in Gujarati and also offers consultations in Hindi, and sees patients ages 12 years and older. Dr. Patel's goal is to listen to his patients, understand their goals, and to help manage them, believing a strong doctor-patient relationship is key to promoting good results and preventing adverse outcomes.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Darshan Patel is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Darshan Patel can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Darshan Patel provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Infectious Diseases: Many infectious diseases are preventable through simple steps like handwashing and staying up-to-date on recommended vaccines, preserving your health and productivity.
• Itchy Skin: Managing itchy skin effectively prevents secondary infections and discomfort, improving your overall well-being.
• Postnasal Drip: Postnasal drip, that annoying mucus dripping down your throat, can be a sign of allergies or infections, so early detection and treatment can prevent more serious complications like sinus infections.
• Warts: Regular skin checks can help identify warts early, allowing for prompt treatment and preventing further spread to other areas of the body.
• Conduct Disorder: Conduct disorder in children can be identified early through regular check-ups, allowing for timely intervention and preventing serious problems later in life.
• Heartburn: Heartburn, that burning sensation in your chest, can be a sign of a larger issue and addressing it early can prevent more serious digestive problems.
• Muscle Spasm: Understanding your risk factors for muscle spasms, such as dehydration and overuse, allows you to implement preventive strategies and avoid potentially debilitating complications.
• Anxiety: Managing anxiety proactively through your family doctor is a key aspect of preventive health, improving your well-being and preventing potential future health problems.
• Aspergillosis: Protecting yourself from exposure to mold and damp environments can significantly reduce your risk of contracting aspergillosis.
• Ataxia: Because ataxia can be a symptom of other serious conditions, proactive health maintenance improves the chances of early diagnosis and treatment, limiting potential complications.
• Essential Tremor: Essential tremor, a common neurological disorder causing shaking, often benefits from early detection and management to prevent daily life disruptions and potential complications.
• Hives: Hives can be a sign of a more significant health issue, so seeking medical attention helps ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment, preventing unnecessary discomfort and potential complications.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Darshan Patel offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Smoking Cessation Counseling: Start your journey to better respiratory health by receiving personalized counseling and resources to successfully quit smoking.
• Care Coordination for Complex Conditions and Procedures: Prevent health crises by proactively scheduling and coordinating care for your multiple conditions, ensuring every detail of your treatment is efficiently managed.
• Abscess or Fluid Incision and Drainage: To prevent a minor infection from turning into a major problem, incision and drainage offers a proactive way to remove pus and reduce the risk of long-term consequences.
• Memory Evaluation: Protect your brain health by undergoing a memory evaluation; it helps identify early signs of memory problems and allows for timely intervention.
• Wellness Examination: Take charge of your health with a wellness examination; it's a comprehensive assessment screening for various health conditions, enabling early diagnosis and treatment.
• VAP Lipid Testing: Take a proactive step towards heart health with VAP Lipid Testing, which screens for cholesterol and other fats in your blood to help identify and manage potential risks for cardiovascular disease.
• Pelvic Exams: Schedule a pelvic exam to proactively screen for potential issues with your reproductive system and ensure overall wellness.
• Skin Screenings: A simple skin screening can be a life-saver, allowing for the early identification and treatment of skin abnormalities.
• Joint Injection: A joint injection can help reduce pain and inflammation in your joints, allowing you to stay active and prevent further damage.
• Tuberculosis Screening: Take charge of your health with a tuberculosis screening, a simple test that helps detect this preventable disease early.
• Blood Allergy Testing: Blood allergy testing helps identify specific substances that trigger allergic reactions, allowing you to proactively avoid them and prevent future symptoms.
• Abscess Incision and Drainage: Addressing an abscess promptly with incision and drainage prevents the spread of infection and promotes faster healing.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Family Medicine in Florida.

Dr. Darshan Patel is dedicated to partnering with Family members and caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• By following a proactive health plan, a family significantly reduced their risk of contracting infectious diseases, enjoying peace of mind and a healthier lifestyle.
• By understanding the triggers and implementing preventative measures, a family discovered a way to manage chronic itchy skin, significantly reducing discomfort and the risk of secondary infections. This proactive approach improved their overall quality of life and peace of mind.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Family Medicine care with Dr. Darshan Patel:

What is a Family Physician, and how are they different from other doctors?

Dr. Darshan Patel and our team are family physicians, meaning we're primary care doctors who provide comprehensive care for people of all ages. We focus on the whole person and family health, emphasizing prevention and coordinating all aspects of your care.

What should I expect during an annual physical or wellness exam?

Your annual physical with Dr. Darshan Patel is a key opportunity to build a partnership with us. It includes a review of your health history, a physical exam, and a discussion about personalized preventive screenings and lifestyle goals.

Why is it important to have a primary care physician, even if I'm healthy?

Having a primary care physician like Dr. Darshan Patel is a long-term investment in your health. Establishing a relationship when you're healthy provides a crucial baseline, ensuring someone knows your history and can provide faster, more personalized care if you become ill, and helps you stay on track with preventive care.

I'm traveling internationally. Can you help with travel vaccinations?

Dr. Darshan Patel's practice can help you prepare for safe travel. We can review your itinerary, advise on necessary vaccinations like Typhoid or Hepatitis A, and provide prescriptions for preventive medications.

Do you offer men's health services like prostate cancer screening?

Dr. Darshan Patel's practice provides comprehensive men's health services. We discuss the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening based on current guidelines, and manage other men's health concerns such as erectile dysfunction and low testosterone.

Do you offer women's health services like Pap smears?

Dr. Darshan Patel's practice provides comprehensive women's health services, including Pap smears, breast exams, and contraceptive counseling. This allows women to receive both primary and gynecologic care conveniently in one location.

Do you provide care for children and infants?

Yes, Dr. Darshan Patel is fully equipped to care for children and infants, providing well-child check-ups, developmental screenings, and childhood immunizations. It's convenient to have one doctor for all your family's healthcare needs.

Can I come in for urgent issues like a cold, flu, or minor injury?

Yes, Dr. Patel and our team are happy to see you for urgent issues like colds, flu, or minor injuries. Seeing your primary care doctor for these acute illnesses is ideal because we know your health history. We can diagnose and treat common ailments, helping you avoid unnecessary trips to urgent care or the emergency room.

AdventHealth Medical Group Family and Internal Medicine at Heathbrook
3949 SW College Rd Ste 100
Ocala FL 34474
Phone: (352) 401-8800

Dr. Darshan Patel, MD 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): 1336466200

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Family Medicine like Dr. Darshan Patel are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your family medicine about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.