They are both concerned with your general health, treat chronic disorders, and interpret medical testing.
What is the difference between internal medicine physicians and family medicine physicians?
We are aware that it is unclear. You may be unsure whether to visit a family doctor (also known as a GP or general practitioner) or an internist. This knowledge will aid in decision-making.
What Constitutes Internal Medicine?
To comprehend internal medicine, one must first comprehend its two components. One section focuses on laboratory science. This involves assessing tests and bloodwork. The second section focuses on a personalized approach to medicine. This combination indicates that internal medicine practitioners are experts at treating patients with multiple serious and complex disorders.
Doctors of internal medicine are also adept at examining how disorders in one area of the body can impact other areas. Because of this, they are excellent at aiding patients with one or more chronic conditions.
Additionally, internal medicine specialists have considerable training in both outpatient and inpatient settings.
What does a specialist in internal medicine do?
Internal medicine doctors perform many of the same duties as family physicians.
They address conditions including:
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Sinus infections
- Allergies
Additionally, they can provide annual physicals and routine cancer tests.
An internist is a physician specializing in internal medicine. (Not to be mistaken for the phrase “intern. (An intern is a physician who is in training.)
Family Medicine or Internal Medicine?
The primary source of misconception is that both of these specializations address chronic disorders in adults. The primary distinction is that family physicians occasionally treat children, “tweens,” and adolescents.
Most parents prefer to have their children treated by a pediatrician, hence children are rarely seen at a family medicine office.
While the majority of patients treated by family physicians are adults, 10 to 15 percent of family medicine patients are children, according to the American College of Physicians.
Internal medicine physicians, in contrast, only treat adults.
