Dr. James Higgins, DO

Dr. James Higgins, DO is a Family Medicine physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at his clinic in Jacksonville, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). 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 (904) 542-9419 to schedule.

Dr. James Higgins, DO is a family medicine physician in Jacksonville, FL, with over 35 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1988 and is Board Certified in Family Practice by the American Board of Family Medicine. With this wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care, he brings a deep understanding of family medicine, ensuring patients and their families receive the best possible care. He is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Higgins provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. James Higgins 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. James Higgins 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. James Higgins 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:

• Indigestion: Indigestion, if frequent or severe, may indicate a need for further investigation to prevent long-term health concerns.
• 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.
• Down Syndrome: Early diagnosis of Down syndrome enables access to specialized care and therapies, maximizing potential and improving the quality of life throughout the individual's lifespan.
• Osteoarthritis: Protecting your joints from osteoarthritis starts with understanding your risk factors and taking proactive steps, such as choosing low-impact activities, to lessen the chance of developing this degenerative condition.
• Insomnia: Proactive management of insomnia, through lifestyle changes or professional guidance, is a key component of comprehensive preventive care.
• Hypertension: Don't let hypertension sneak up on you – proactive monitoring and lifestyle adjustments can significantly reduce your risk of developing this serious condition and its associated complications.
• ADHD and-or ADD: Preventive care for ADHD/ADD includes proactive strategies like behavioral therapy and support networks, reducing the impact on daily life and improving quality of life.
• Low Back Pain: Early detection of low back pain can help prevent it from becoming a chronic problem and improve your quality of life.
• Dysphagia: Difficulty swallowing, or dysphagia, can signal underlying health issues, so early detection through regular checkups with your family doctor is crucial for preventing serious complications.
• Diabetes Type 2: Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition that can often be prevented or delayed through healthy lifestyle choices like regular exercise and a balanced diet.
• Back Pain: Addressing back pain promptly can help avoid long-term disability and the need for more invasive treatments later.
• Muscle Weakness: Managing muscle weakness effectively, often through lifestyle changes and medical intervention, helps prevent falls and injuries, improving your overall quality of life and long-term health.

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. James Higgins offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Cardiac Ultrasound: Protecting your heart starts with knowledge: a cardiac ultrasound provides a detailed picture of your heart's structure and function, enabling early diagnosis and treatment of problems.
• Alcohol Misuse Screening and Counseling: Let's work together to assess your alcohol use and ensure it's not impacting your health. This screening helps identify potential problems and guides you towards healthier choices.
• Dementia Evaluation: Don't wait for symptoms to worsen; a dementia evaluation provides a comprehensive assessment of your cognitive abilities, supporting early diagnosis and management.
• Hepatitis Screening: Hepatitis screening is a crucial preventive measure to identify silent liver infections and significantly reduce your risk of developing long-term complications.
• VAP Lipid Testing: Make informed decisions about your heart health with VAP Lipid Testing. This important screening can reveal elevated cholesterol or triglyceride levels, enabling you to take steps to improve your cardiovascular health.
• Gonorrhea Screening: Regular gonorrhea screening helps detect this common sexually transmitted infection early, allowing for prompt treatment and preventing potential long-term health problems.
• Mammography: Invest in your well-being with a mammogram – a simple procedure that can detect breast cancer in its early stages, increasing your chances of a successful recovery.
• Patch Testing: Patch testing helps identify allergens causing skin reactions, allowing you to proactively avoid triggers and prevent future discomfort.
• Prostate Cancer Screening Exam (DRE): Taking charge of your health includes a prostate exam to check for any abnormalities in your prostate gland.
• Rapid Flu Test: Don't wait to feel better – a rapid flu test offers early diagnosis of influenza, facilitating effective treatment and preventing further spread within your community.
• Cardiovascular Stress Test: Protect your future by proactively screening for underlying cardiovascular disease with a stress test; it can help prevent serious events and improve your overall health.
• Arterial Blood Gas Test (ABG): Taking a proactive step with an arterial blood gas test helps your doctor assess your body's acid-base balance and identify potential issues with your respiratory or metabolic systems.

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. James Higgins 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:

• Following a proactive health plan guided by a family medicine professional, a patient experienced significant relief from frequent indigestion, reducing the risk of potential long-term health concerns.
• By proactively scheduling regular checkups and discussing potential risk factors, a family gained valuable insights into maintaining neurological health, reducing the uncertainty surrounding ataxia. This proactive approach empowered them to make informed decisions and focus on early intervention if needed.

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. James Higgins:

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

Dr. Higgins and our team are family physicians, meaning we're primary care doctors who provide comprehensive healthcare for people of all ages. We focus on preventative care and coordinating all aspects of your health, from newborns to seniors, and for the entire family. We treat the whole person, not just a specific condition.

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

Your annual physical with Dr. Higgins is a valuable opportunity to partner with us and review your health history, conduct a physical exam, and discuss personalized preventive screenings and lifestyle goals.

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

Establishing a relationship with Dr. James Higgins, even when healthy, is a valuable investment in your long-term well-being. Having a known baseline for your health history allows for faster, more personalized care if you become ill. It also helps you stay on track with preventive care to maintain good health.

Can you treat joint pain or minor sports injuries?

Yes, Dr. Higgins and our team are happy to treat joint pain and minor sports injuries. Family physicians are often the first point of contact for musculoskeletal issues like sprains, strains, and arthritis. Treatment may include rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications, and in some cases, joint injections or referrals to physical therapy.

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

Dr. James Higgins and our team provide comprehensive women's health services, including Pap smears, breast exams, and contraceptive counseling. This allows women to receive both primary and gynecological care conveniently in one location.

Do you perform minor skin procedures in the office?

Dr. Higgins and our team can handle many common skin concerns in the office, including removing suspicious moles for biopsy, freezing warts, and draining skin abscesses. This saves you time and ensures these issues are addressed by your primary care physician.

How do you help manage chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure?

Dr. Higgins works with patients to create a personalized management plan for chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, including regular monitoring, medication management, and lifestyle counseling to prevent complications and maintain quality of life. This is a long-term partnership focused on your well-being.

I have multiple health issues. How do you coordinate my care?

Dr. Higgins is your central point of contact, coordinating care across all your specialists. He's skilled at managing multiple conditions, ensuring your treatments and medications work together safely and effectively, and creating a cohesive health plan.

2080 Child St
Jacksonville FL 32214
Phone: (904) 542-9419

Dr. James Higgins, 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): 1518937796

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. James Higgins 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.