Many people wonder: What’s the difference between a primary care
provider compared to a family medicine doctor or an internal medicine
specialist? While they all provide similar services, and ultimately there
is no “wrong” choice, there are a few key differences that
may influence your decision about which type of doctor to visit:
Primary care provider– A primary care provider is the doctor who provides you with or helps you
access a range of healthcare services. Either a family medicine physician
or internal medicine physician can be your primary care provider. Though
they perform similar services, family medicine and internal medicine doctors
take different approaches to medical training.
Family medicine practitioner – A family practitioner is expected to treat patients of all ages, from
infants to senior citizens. This requires a broad medical background with
knowledge in a variety of specialties, such as pediatrics, geriatrics,
gynecology, critical care and more.
Internal medicine practitioner – An internal medicine doctor, on the other hand, caters only to adults and
has more focused training on subspecialties for adult healthcare. Many
internal medicine doctors have at least some experience in endocrinology,
infectious diseases, neurology, dermatology and more. They are not as
prepared to treat children, but have essential medical training needed
to diagnose more complicated and obscure conditions in adults.
Who Best Suits Your Needs?
Both family medicine and internal medicine doctors can provide quality
medical care. Your current circumstances play the primary role in choosing
one over the other as your primary care provider.
If you have a big family, a family practitioner could be the ideal choice.
This offers you continuity in your family’s healthcare services
and helps you avoid keeping track of numerous medical records from various
doctors. Additionally, a primary family practitioner will become acquainted
with your family’s medical history and susceptibility to diseases
and genetic conditions. This allows them to better facilitate care for
all members of your household.
For smaller families, or people without live-in relatives, an internal
medicine doctor is preferable. Your doctor does not require a wide array
of general medical knowledge if you are the only person they are treating.
Their more specialized knowledge in adult healthcare could better cater
to your specific needs. If you currently see a family practitioner who
is unable to diagnose a condition, consider receiving a second opinion
from an internal medicine doctor.
We offer both internal and family medicine services at Salinas Valley Health. We service all people in the local area, including the Monterey Peninsula,
the Central Coast and nearby areas.
