Primary Care Provider FAQ
Internal Medicine and Family Practice are two primary care fields with distinct focuses:
- Internal Medicine: Internists specialize in adult health, covering prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of adult diseases. Their training is focused on managing complex and chronic conditions in adults, with a heavy orientation towards hospital medicine, though many work in outpatient settings too. They do not treat children or handle obstetrics.
- Family Practice: Family Medicine physicians provide care for patients of all ages, from newborns to the elderly. Their training spans pediatrics, obstetrics, internal medicine, psychiatry, and geriatrics, allowing them to offer comprehensive care across the lifespan. They consider the family unit in their approach and manage a wide range of health issues, providing continuous care.
In summary, Internal Medicine focuses on adult health, while Family Practice covers all ages, offering a broader scope of care that includes elements of pediatrics, women's health, and more.