Family Medicine Doctor or Internal Medicine Doctor: Which One to Choose?
When choosing between a family medicine doctor and an internal medicine doctor, it is important to know the difference between them. Both of these healthcare experts are known as primary care doctors. Also, both of them get training in various subspecialties. Moreover, both can treat adults, and in some cases children too.
So, what are the major differences between both these doctors? And which type of healthcare professional would be the right fit for you? Let’s find out.
Internal Medicine Doctors
Also known as internists, internal medicine doctors provide healthcare services primary to adults. Some internal medicine doctors attend to children as well. However, to do this, they have to get trained in both pediatrics and internal medicine.
Notably, internal medicine doctors are specialized in diagnosing, treating, and preventing different diseases in their adult patients. They are capable of providing care for a number of health conditions. Apart from that, they are also skilled to educate patients about the prevention of diseases and their overall wellness.
Moreover, like a family medicine doctor, an internal medicine doctor has to complete a three-year-long residency before they can start practicing internal medicine. They can also take additional training in the subspeciality of their choice including neurology, oncology, endocrinology, psychiatry, cardiology, dermatology, rheumatology, or geriatrics.
Family Medicine Doctors
A family medicine doctor care for patients of all ages, including infants, children, adults, and old people. The care a family medicine doctor can provide mainly includes:
- Adolescent Medicine
- Pediatrics
- Geriatrics
- Adult Medicine
Family medicine doctors have very sound family medicine knowledge. This is what enables them to treat patients of every age. Some family medicine doctors would even care for a patient throughout their lives. In many cases, they have multiple generations of a family as their patients at the same time.
To be able to work at a family medicine clinic, a family medicine doctor also has to complete a three-year-long residency program after getting done with their medical school. Notably, the residency trains them in pediatric medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, psychiatry, surgery, radiology, urology, ophthalmology, and more.
Since they have to treat a wide range of conditions and ages, they must be trained enough to diagnose and treat the widest array of conditions and diseases.
Internal Medicine Doctors Vs Family Medicine Doctors
Since family medicine doctors and internal medicine doctors both are primary doctors, it can get a little difficult to choose between the two. Both of these healthcare professionals are capable to diagnose and treat several conditions. Moreover, both of them will guide you properly to prevent diseases and detect various health problems in their earliest stages.
Given that, it all comes down to your needs and preferences. If you want a doctor that can treat all of your family members, consider going for a family medicine doctor. Similarly, if you want a doctor for a specific disease, you can consider going for an internal medicine doctor.
Choosing between a family medicine doctor and internal medicine doctor can be a tricky process. But you can do it efficiently if you learn about the difference and your needs.
