People sometimes use “general practitioner,” “primary care physician,” and “internist” interchangeably. It’s important to know the differences between doctors when you’re looking for a new primary care physician, however. Both general practitioners and internists are primary care physicians. Both offer medical care for adults. GPs and internists are not the same, however. So what’s the difference between a general practitioner and an internist? Show
What’s an Internal Medicine doctor or internist?An internist is a doctor who specializes in internal medicine. Internal medicine focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of injuries and diseases. Internal Medicine doctors provide comprehensive care for adults with a broad knowledge of diseases, are experts in diagnosis, and promote wellness and preventive care. After medical school, Internal medicine doctors complete a three-year residency; this is a focused approach to adult care without further training in pediatric or obstetric care. They are specially trained to diagnose complex diseases and manage chronic illnesses that may have several different illnesses appear at the same time. Some phrases you may hear to describe an Internist are “Doctors for Adults” or “The doctors’ doctor.” Internists are equipped to provide health care for adults starting at age 18 and into the golden years. They provide health promotion and preventive care including recommended screenings and coordinating care with medical specialists. They treat simple and complex illnesses. Internists may choose a subspecialty of internal medicine such as cardiology, pulmonology, rheumatology, or gastroenterology. An internist that specializes in cardiology, for example, is a cardiologist. General internists are trained to provide primary care for adults and are considered primary care physicians. This is where people may get confused about internists. People sometimes use “primary care physician” and “general practitioner” interchangeably. These two terms are not synonymous, however. A primary care physician is the doctor you see for regular check-ups. Your primary care physician may be an internist, a family practitioner, or another type of doctor. Your child’s primary care physician may be a pediatrician. Like internists, general practitioners are considered primary care physicians. One of the biggest distinctions between an internist and a general practitioner is that while internists typically only treat adults, general practitioners are trained to provide care for patients of all ages. A general practitioner may treat adults, adolescents, and also children. General practice physicians may choose to practice family medicine, but family medicine is a medical specialty. Choosing the right doctorIf you’re looking for a new primary care physician, internists and general practitioners may both be good options. Of course, your own specific needs may determine which type of doctor is right for you. Fayetteville Diagnostic Clinic, A MANA Clinic, is an internal medicine based clinic with some of the best board certified, internal medicine doctors in Northwest Arkansas! At this multispecialty clinic, patients can access general internal medicine doctors and specialty medicine doctors under one roof. Find the right internal medicine doctor for you! What Is the Difference Between Family Medicine & Primary Care? If not, here’s the short answer—primary care focuses on everyday health, encompassing wellness services like physicals, vaccines and check-ups, as well as the treatment and management of common, non-emergent health concerns. You could call it a patient’s medical “home base.” Family medicine, on the other hand, is a medical specialty devoted to the complete and continuing healthcare of every member of the family, both children and adults. Essentially, family medicine physicians provide primary care. Still confused? No worries, let’s take a deeper dive into these medical terms and what they entail. Aptly named, a primary care provider (such as a family medicine physician) is a patient’s primary source of treatment for medical concerns. Merriam-Webster defines primary care as “health care provided by a medical professional with whom a patient has initial contact and by whom the patient may be referred to a specialist.” Other medical professionals who provide primary care services include internal medicine physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and general practitioners. Primary care providers oversee a patient’s basic medical needs, such as treatment for acute illnesses like sinus infections and long-term care for chronic conditions such as asthma, high blood pressure and diabetes. If a patient requires more extensive care from a medical specialist—such as a gastroenterologist or gynecologist—the primary care provider will refer the patient to the appropriate specialist and keep a record of the patient’s progress. Family MedicineFamily medicine physicians provide primary care services for the whole family. Specifically, a medical professional who specializes in family medicine is trained to meet the basic medical needs of both children and adults, from newborns to seniors (conversely, internal medicine physicians treat adults only). Having an all-in-one source of primary care provides convenience for many busy families—for instance, a mother can consult with her family medicine physician about her allergy symptoms as well as her son’s strep throat. She can also rely on this physician for school physicals, check-ups, flu shots and other preventive health measures. Our Approach to HealthcareTufts Medical Center Community Care’s growing team of more than 120 clinicians includes family medicine physicians, internal medicine physicians and other primary care providers who help patients achieve their best health. As our patient, here’s what you can expect:
If you’d like to speak with a primary care provider, contact Tufts Medical Center Community Care today or schedule an appointment online. We accept many health insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare. What is the difference between a doctor and a general practitioner?A general practitioner is a doctor who works in clinical settings such as urgent care centers, hospitals, and clinics. They diagnose and treat a wide range of medical issues. General practitioners do not specialize in any particular area.
What's the difference between primary care and general practice?A family practice combines pediatrician and internist services, offering care for both children and adults. A primary care practice specializes, primarily, in internal medicine and mostly treats adults.
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Whats the difference between family medicine and general practice
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