Finding a primary care provider (PCP) you trust and can communicate with is essential. Often, especially if you don’t keep up with health care lingo, knowing which type of clinician you should choose can be confusing. Show
What is a PCP?A PCP is the person you trust to help with your day-to-day health needs and those times when you have an unexpected illness or injury. PCPs help you with:
PCPs are trained to evaluate and treat a broad range of health conditions. Many also specialize in a specific area, like diabetes or geriatrics. Should you need specialized care, your PCP can guide you through the process, referring you to the right specialist if and when needed. Traditionally, PCPs fall into two main categories – family medicine physicians and internal medicine physicians. While both types of clinicians are PCPs, they can serve you or your family in different ways. Both collaborate and work with advanced practice providers (APPs), such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Other disciplines that serve as PCPs include pediatricians for children and gynecologists for women. Family medicine providers (physicians and APPs)Find a primary care provider that’s right for you > Learn more Family medicine providers care for people of all ages – from infants to seniors. So don’t be confused by the word “family” in their title. You do not need children to see a family medicine provider. Family medicine providers train to diagnose and treat a wide variety of common diseases and acute or chronic conditions for all ages and genders. However, many family medicine providers also go through fellowship training in additional areas like obstetrics, sports medicine and palliative care. The unique benefits of family medicine providers are that they can care for your entire family. From babies through grandparents, no matter who gets sick, they will have a better understanding of your family’s history. They also offer convenience for busy parents who want to schedule multiple family appointments for the same day. Internal medicine providers (physicians and APPs)Internal medicine providers, or internists, provide care for people 18 years and older. Some internists have also trained in pediatrics so they can treat children. Since internists can narrow their training focus, many specialize in a subspecialty, like arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular, hormone imbalances, geriatrics, lung diseases, gastrointestinal issues, palliative and hospice medicine, and various other disciplines. While these subspecialists tend to focus on narrow specialty issues, general internists tend to treat the whole person in a multi-system approach, sometimes in consultation with their subspecialty colleagues. Their extra training makes them an ideal choice for adults with unique health concerns or conditions requiring specialized care. Why choosing a PCP and maintaining a relationship is essentialNo matter which type you choose, you should choose a PCP you like and trust. Your PCP will be a long-term partner in your health management, so it’s crucial to select a provider who is right for you and your family. Last Updated: January 6, 2021 "Primary care physicians fall into [one of two categories]: family medicine doctors and internal medicine doctors,” explains Saju Mathew, M.D., a primary care physician at Piedmont. “We’re all primary care physicians, but the biggest difference is internal medicine doctors are like adult pediatricians.” Here is a breakdown of which doctor sees which type of patient:
“A family physician like myself, we see adults and kids, plus we do a lot of women’s health,” says Dr. Mathew. “A lot of family physicians see the entire family and you kind of grow with the whole family.” Regardless of your age, it’s important to your health that you develop a relationship with a primary care physician. “A lot of times when patients pick a doctor, they may pick an internist because they haven’t had a family physician growing up,” he says. Dr. Mathew reminds us that family practitioners can take care of individual adult health needs regardless of family status. So, as an adult, you have two good options. “If you want a good adult primary care physician, you can see a family physician who is trained to take care of adults or you can see an internal medicine physician, who also takes care of adults,” he says. Dr. Mathew practices at Piedmont Physicians Vinings, located at 3020 Paces Mill Road Southeast, Atlanta, GA 30339. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Mathew or one of our other primary care providers. Save time, book online. Which is best family medicine or internal medicine?“While internists typically diagnose and treat medical problems of greater complexity than family practitioners in both the office and hospital settings, family practitioners typically provide more 'well-patient' services in the office setting and don't treat as many hospitalized patients,” Dr. Remakus explains.
Whats the difference between internal medicine and primary care?“Both family medicine and internal medicine are primary care specialties,” she says. “Family physicians treat patients of all ages, from birth to death, and internal medicine doctors treat adults, 18 years or older.”
Are internal medicine doctors good doctors?They are especially well trained in the diagnosis of puzzling medical problems, in the ongoing care of chronic illnesses, and in caring for patients with more than one disease. Internal medicine physicians also specialize in health promotion and disease prevention.
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Should i see an internal medicine doctor or family practice
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