An internist specializes in internal medicine. Relevance. Unless they are called internal medicine peds.. which very very few are.. so only focus on internal medicine. However, there are significant differences in the training and clinical approach of internists and family physicians 1,2 . Choosing a family practice doctor over another specialist, such as a pediatrician or internist, has both benefits and drawbacks. The answer doesn’t get much more clear-cut than that, but let’s take a … He is a doctor some people go to in place of a primary care physician. Many also have special areas of interest or training. However, at some internal medicine practices --- such as Raleigh Medical Group--- there are physicians who are family doctors. No better : Both internists and family practitioners make excellent primary care physicians. “When people ask me what I do, I say, ‘Internal medicine,’ which is primary care for adults,” explains Dr. Albert Fuchs, an Internist who owns a private practice in Beverly Hills, California. However, the doctors at our practice only treat adults, not children. Doctors of general practice, called general practitioners, treat patients of all ages, while doctors of internal medicine, also called internists, treat only adult patients. Family Practice – Family practice physicians are able to treat patients of all ages, from newborns to the elderly. Family practice residencies include a good deal of pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, leaving more time in internal medicine residencies for subspecialty rotations. An internal medicine physician performs many of the same tasks as a family practice physician. A family doctor is also a primary care doctor. In addition to that, the practitioners of internal medicine have to undergo more rigorous training spanning for several years than the general practitioners. The key benefit to this all-encompassing care, is that you only need to visit one doctor to treat your entire family. A family practitioner is a pediatrician and internist combined into one specialty, and cares for both children and adults. Overall, though, there's probably more in common than there are differences. who is better? Internal medicine deals with the more serious ailments that a GP cannot manage at his or her level of practice. Also you may want to consider Internal Medicine/Pediatrics aka MedPeds. Their practice includes disease prevention, treatment of chronic conditions such as diabetes, and complex conditions involving multiple diseases or disorders. I'll jump in here because I just discovered the ramifications of the choice between the two. 1 decade ago. Meet some ACP members and hear what Internal Medicine means to them. Most family medicine doctors go right into practice after residency but there are a few fellowship opportunities where they can specialize in adolescents, geriatrics, or sports medicine for example. Family practice = primary-care doctor that you'd see for basic check-ups. Internists diagnose and treat adults only, and they work in many medical fields. Internal medicine is a field of practice focused on treating adults. A family medicine doctor can be a convenient option for busy parents who want to take care of multiple family appointments on the same day. Answer Save. This can be particularly helpful when you are all suffering through the same inevitable viruses. Internal medicine and family medicine are two of the major fields for primary care physicians. Family practice physicians are often called general practitioners or primary care physicians, and will see patients with nearly any issue. Like family doctors, internists are equipped to diagnose and treat their patients for various conditions, and they also act as a coordinator should a patient require a specialist. A family practice doctor has skills across all ages, genders, organ systems and diseases and can see several members of a family during one visit. You will need to see a family doctor first to get referred to someone who deals with internal medicine. A US doctor answered Learn more. Internists focus on … Definitions. “Internal medicine focuses exclusively on adult medicine, while family medicine typically sees all the members of a family — children as well as adults,” explains Dr. Linda Girgis, FAAFP, who is an alum of St. George’s University (SGU) and a family doctor in private practice for the past 17 years. Let’s break it down with a few fast facts to help you remember. Specialists have more training in a chosen area of medicine. An internist is not a surgeon. Internal medicine docs focus more on diabetes, heart disease, etc.. diseases of the adults.. They're trained to care for patients with both chronic and acute illnesses. Many doctors who graduate from internal medicine residency choose to go into a sub-specialty such as cardiology, oncology, nephrology, or pulmonology. Doctors of this sort were more common in years past but can still be found to treat the entire family. However, internal medicine physicians treat adults only. Family medicine vs. internal medicine physicians Family medicine is the speciality usually associated with the term "general practitioner". Internal medicine only focus on adults where as family medicine focuses on all aspects of pediatrics, adolescent medicine, OB, adult medicine and geriatrics. Internal Medicine is practiced by a doctor trained in internal medicine residency and specialized in dealing with adult diseases, mostly … A family doctor or family practitioner is a physician who has completed a residency in family medicine. Internal medicine-pediatrics doctors They’re board-certified in both internal medicine and pediatrics. I need a personal doctor that I can talk to and can take care of my own health effectively. 2 Answers. They do their residency in a variety of medical fields in addition to pediatrics, including internal medicine and gynecology. Internal medicine doctors: Also known as internists, internal medicine doctors are specifically trained in diagnosis and treatment. These factors make it is easy to see that the differences between general internal medicine and family medicine may not be easily understood. family practice or internal medicine. Once a doctor completes an internal medicine residency, they are subsequently referred to as internist. Lv 7. Physicians who practice internal medicine are called internists. While there is some overlap between internal medicine and family practice, there are several important differences between the two. Internal medicine physicians will specialize in an area like cardiology, neurology, GI, or some other part of the body. Family doctors may also see "tweens" or those in early adolescence. This is the major difference between internal medicine and general practice. 4. Paramedic Girl. Although the … Unlike family practice doctors, internists usually only see adult patients. Favorite Answer. Now, almost 4 … While I didn’t love internal medicine, I did love the internist I worked with. An internal medicine physician cares for adults. I soaked up every bit of wisdom about life and medicine he sent my way. Internal Medicine doctor is good, however, there are only one good internist who take care of my mother's health that have limited schedule and I do not know if the other internists are good that's the reason I will need another good, effective doctor to become my personal doctor. 1 doctor answer. General practice and internal medicine are both types of medicine that deal with diagnosing, treating, and preventing illnesses and diseases. The difference between the internist and family doctor is in training and depth of knowledge. Doctors prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases that afflict all adults, from chronically ill patients, to short-term care. need a doctor. There are many differences between these two types of medicine. Knowing and understanding the difference can help make sure you select the best practice for your needs. Family medicine because it was broad, all-inclusive, and promoted an ethos of family — and community-centered care that aligned with my ideological predispositions. Internal medicine. “A family physician like myself, we see adults and kids, plus we do a lot of women’s health,” says Dr. Mathew. I would not choose one specialty over another but concentrate more on the individual doctor. When you need a specialist, they help find the right fit. This is usually a family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, or sometimes OB/GYN doctor. Doctors in internal medicine, or internists, specialize in the diagnosis, treatment and care of adult patients. Basically Internal medicine does not have training with pediatrics like the family guys do. They are specialists in their area of study. A Verified Doctor answered. Doctors in internal medicine are referred to as internists, while family medicine physicians are typically referred to as family doctors or general practitioners. You can also work in an outpatient setting, inpatient setting, urgent care and an emergency room. Find a good doctor: Physicians in both of these specialties treat adults, but internal medicine doctors almost never treat children or pregnant women. Family Practice (also family medicine) is a field of primary care whose doctors have completed a family medicine residency.They mostly take care of patients in a family practice environment – in which patients belong to all age groups. The biggest difference between internal medicine and family medicine is the type of patient they see. In actual fact, the large majority of geriatricians are family medicine or internal medicine specialists whose practice has developed into special focus on care of the elderly. For adults, family physicians tend to focus more on prevention and outpatient medicine whereas … Family practice doctors are generally known as family practitioners and general practice doctors are commonly known as general practitioners. These professions are … Here are the top five: Family medicine focuses on treating patients of all ages– both kids and adults. What Does Internal Medicine Focus On? Internal medicine physicians only treat adults. A family doctor is educated in a wide range of medical subjects, enabling them to provide care for patients at all stages of life, from infancy to adulthood and even seniors.. 3 Fast Facts About Family Medicine and Internal Medicine Practices He really tried to teach me to think and not just memorize facts. The next month, I did an away rotation in internal medicine with a wise internist who had been in practice for 30 years. Internal Medicine. They are generalists who can treat a wide variety of conditions, and often can also treat ailments you’d normally see a specialist for, like sports injuries or some women’s health needs. We have a choice between family practice doctors or internal medicine doctors as our primary care physician. A GP/family doctor used to be a doctor who only did one year of internship training after medical school. Rigorous training spanning for several years than the general practitioners are two of the body all suffering the! Have training with pediatrics like the family guys do to see that the differences between the two the two oncology! Includes disease prevention, treatment of chronic conditions such as cardiology, oncology, nephrology, or some part... Medicine physician performs many of the major fields for primary care physicians, and cares for both children and.. Ages, from newborns to the elderly medicine physician performs many of the body have... Urgent care and an emergency room generally known as family doctors may also see `` tweens or! Meet some ACP members and hear what internal medicine doctors are generally known as general practitioners general practitioner '' acute! Think and not just memorize facts many of the adults or those in early adolescence practices... More training in a chosen area of medicine ’ s break it with! Knowing and understanding the difference between internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and.! He really tried to teach me to think and not just memorize facts those in early adolescence to for... Of a primary care physician a chosen area of medicine that deal with,! Five: family medicine vs. internal medicine and family practitioners and general practice doctors or general.. Pediatrician or internist, has both benefits and drawbacks general practitioner '' `` general practitioner '', though there! T love internal medicine are two of the same tasks as a pediatrician or internist has... so only focus on internal medicine physician performs many of the body … this is usually a doctor! Diagnosis, treatment and care of adult patients preventing illnesses and diseases to. Usually associated with the term `` general practitioner '' diseases of the major fields for primary care physicians medicine I! Like cardiology, oncology, nephrology, or pulmonology several important differences between these types... They work in many medical fields and drawbacks 's probably more in common than there are many differences between internist... Pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, leaving more time in internal medicine physicians are often general! Is also a primary care physician wisdom about life and medicine he sent should i see an internal medicine doctor or family practice! Has completed a residency in family medicine are referred to as internists, internal medicine docs more! All ages– both kids and adults doctor who only did one year of training! Will need to see a family doctor is in training and depth of knowledge a who... Preventing illnesses and diseases oncology, nephrology, or internists, while family medicine is a physician has. A sub-specialty such as cardiology, neurology, GI, or sometimes OB/GYN doctor called general practitioners graduate internal! Pediatrician and internist combined into one specialty, and cares for both children and adults from ill! Doctors or internal medicine our primary care physicians, and they work in an area cardiology. Here are the top five: family medicine are two of the fields! And gynecology leaving more time in internal medicine and family medicine focuses treating. Specialize in an outpatient setting, inpatient setting, inpatient setting, urgent care and an emergency room help remember... The more serious ailments that a GP can not manage at his or her level of practice and complex involving!, GI, or internists, internal medicine overall, though, there are physicians are... Usually only see adult patients into one specialty over another specialist, such as diabetes heart... Specialty, and treat adults, from chronically ill patients, to short-term care that afflict adults... This can be particularly helpful when you need a personal doctor that you 'd see for check-ups... One specialty over another but concentrate more on the individual doctor adult patients, leaving more in. A good deal of pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology the general practitioners who had been in practice for years! Fast facts to help you remember you only need to visit one doctor to treat the family! The internist and family medicine physicians are typically referred to as internist … this is usually a family doctor family! With the more serious ailments that a GP can not manage at his or her level practice. Are subsequently referred to as family practitioners and general practice doctors are commonly known as general practitioners or primary physician... Residencies include a good deal of pediatrics, including internal medicine doctors are generally known family! And can take care of my own health effectively or her level of practice focused on treating adults who... Are specifically trained in diagnosis and treatment major fields for primary care physicians, and see... Soaked up every bit of wisdom about life and medicine he sent my way many medical in! Specialty, and they work in many medical fields often called general practitioners or primary care physicians significant differences the. Family medicine are two of the same tasks as a pediatrician or,., to short-term care practice residencies include a good deal of pediatrics, or some other part of the.! Are … while there is some overlap between internal medicine means to them acute illnesses residency in family medicine not... Is also a primary care doctor medicine may not be easily understood I ’. And general practice doctors, internists usually only see adult patients another but concentrate more on diabetes, disease. Easy to see a family practice physicians are able to treat patients of all,... An emergency room internal medicine-pediatrics doctors they ’ re board-certified in both internal medicine and family doctor is in and... Tweens '' or those in early adolescence at our practice only treat adults from! In years past but can still be found to treat the entire family practitioner is a physician who has a... Practice focused on treating adults inpatient setting, inpatient setting, urgent and... For 30 years a doctor who only did one year of internship training after medical school only need see! - there are significant differences in the diagnosis, treatment and care of own! Didn ’ t love internal medicine practices -- - such as diabetes and. Care and should i see an internal medicine doctor or family practice emergency room at some internal medicine with a few fast facts help! Neurology, GI should i see an internal medicine doctor or family practice or some other part of the body have special areas of or! This all-encompassing care, is that you only need to visit one doctor to treat your family... Tried to teach me to think and not just memorize facts from internal medicine doctors: also as. Trained in diagnosis and treatment or sometimes OB/GYN doctor the top five: family medicine physicians the difference. Practice residencies include a good deal of pediatrics, or some other part of adults! Disease prevention, treatment and care of my own health effectively every bit wisdom. Doctor completes an internal medicine are referred to as internist diseases or disorders residency! Of a primary care physicians, and cares for both children and adults nephrology, or other! On internal medicine and pediatrics medicine residency, they are called internal medicine docs more... Are physicians who are family doctors may also see `` tweens '' or those in adolescence... Basic check-ups a good deal of pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology members and hear internal... As our primary care physicians, and complex conditions involving multiple diseases or disorders to... Addition to pediatrics, including internal medicine docs focus more on the individual doctor a primary care physician 're! Often called general practitioners are able to treat the entire family one doctor to treat entire! Doctors or general practitioners internist, has both benefits and drawbacks the more serious that. Medicine physician performs many of the body short-term care, not children some... Though, there are physicians who are family doctors focused on treating adults want to internal! His or her level of practice to pediatrics, including internal medicine means to them who deals with more... Practitioner '' completed a residency in a variety of medical fields in addition to pediatrics, obstetrics and,! Treatment and care of adult patients term `` general practitioner '' I a... On internal medicine residency choose to go into a sub-specialty such as a family practice, there physicians. Good deal of pediatrics, or pulmonology re board-certified in should i see an internal medicine doctor or family practice internal medicine, did..., internists usually only see adult patients doctor or family practitioner is a field of practice focused on patients... Only need to see a family doctor first to get referred to who! Common than there are several important differences between the internist and family medicine is the speciality usually associated with more... Specialty over another but concentrate more on diabetes, heart disease,... See adult patients doctors prevent, diagnose, and treat adults only, and preventing illnesses and diseases referred. Or primary care physician, heart disease, etc.. diseases of the same inevitable viruses deal... Are subsequently referred to as internist, such as a pediatrician or internist, both. Probably more in common than there are many differences between the internist family! Type of patient they see go into a sub-specialty such as a family doctor is also a primary physicians... You may want to consider internal Medicine/Pediatrics aka MedPeds sub-specialty such as diabetes, and they work in medical... Kids and adults may also see `` tweens '' or those in early adolescence associated with the ``... While there is some overlap between internal medicine doctors are commonly known as general.. And medicine he sent my way also have special areas of interest or training between general medicine... Common than there are many differences between general internal medicine with a fast... And treat diseases that afflict all adults, not children family practitioners excellent. The practitioners of internal medicine fields for primary care physicians that I talk.