Do you know the distinction between a family doctor and an internist? You are in excellent company. Many individuals are perplexed by the two names – or, more precisely, by the contrasts between the two specializations. While there is considerable overlap, there are numerous significant distinctions between internal medicine and family practice. Consult mckinney family medicine today to learn more.
Family medicine is concerned with treating patients of all ages. Both children and adults.
That implies that when you make an appointment with a family physician, your provider will be well-versed in ailments and difficulties affecting patients of all ages, from newborns to seniors.
Internal medicine is concerned with the specific requirements of adult patients.
Do you know how a pediatrician exclusively treats children? An internist (or doctor of internal medicine) only treats adults. They are especially focused on the extremely distinct demands and health concerns that adult patients encounter at every stage of their adult lives.
Doctors in family medicine get extensive training in health and medical concerns affecting patients of all ages.
While some family physicians have extra training in subspecialties, most have training that focuses on general outpatient care, including diagnosing and managing acute diseases and chronic problems, as well as preventative care.
Internal medicine professionals are also educated in general medical and health issues (including preventative care). However, as previously said, this training is geared toward adults.
Internal medicine doctors receive extensive training and expertise in specialty areas such as ophthalmology, dermatology, orthopedics, psychiatry, palliative medicine, infectious diseases, sleep medicine, and other subspecialties in addition to general medical issues to ensure they can provide comprehensive care for men and women at all stages of life.
Finally, internists are more likely to give inpatient treatment in addition to outpatient care in their offices.
That is not to say that a family doctor cannot treat patients in an inpatient environment; nonetheless, most of their training is geared toward outpatient treatments, with inpatient requirements transferred to specialists. Internists have extensive training and instruction in both inpatient and outpatient care.
Another point to clarify: while they are sometimes referred to as internists, an internal medicine practitioner is not the same as an intern, a word that refers to a medical student still in training. While certain interns may be trained to become internists, an internist – often known as an internal medicine doctor – is a “full-fledged” doctor who has completed all of the essential training to provide you with comprehensive care targeted to your individual needs.
