Finding a primary care provider is important for people of all ages, from newborns to senior citizens and everyone in between. Your PCP is a highly trained professional who will monitor your health and address health concerns as they arise, after all. Staying on top of your well-being with the help of your PCP will enable you to live your best life now and in the years to come.

If you’re looking for a PCP, you’ve likely heard about two types of doctors, internists, and family doctors. You may have also heard of or seen, a Nurse Practitioner. People who aren’t familiar with what those providers do, who they treat, and where they practice medicine often wonder, “What’s the deal when it comes to internal medicine vs family medicine?’

What Is Internal Medicine?

As practicing medicine became more scientific in the late 1800s, internal medicine became a vertical within the field. Even in its early beginnings, internal medicine focused on preventing and treating maladies in adult men and women exclusively. Professionals who practice internal medicine today are usually referred to as internists or doctors of internal medicine.

While internists may have subspecialties, they’re trained to diagnose and treat a wide array of illnesses in adults. Internists also labor to promote healthy habits and prevent the development of disease among their patients. From disease prevention to providing primary care services, treating minor, chronic, and rare health problems, and more–internists do them all.

Internists often practice in different settings. Some may work with patients in their office, a hospital, or both. Others may work in a clinic, long-term care facility, or rehabilitation center. Internists who focus their practice on treating people in a hospital are known as “hospitalists.”

What Is Family Medicine?

People who practice family medicine are commonly referred to as “family physicians” or “general practitioners.” Unlike a doctor of internal medicine who only treats adults, general practitioners treat patients of all ages. Some of them even deliver babies!

Although family physicians diagnose and treat maladies like internists, much of their practice involves providing well-patient services. While some general practitioners will see patients in a hospital on occasion at least, most treat their patients in an office setting.

When You Should Go to Family Medicine vs Internal Medicine?

Since family medicine became a “thing” in the 1960s, some people have questioned whether they should see a family doctor or Internal Medicine. In large part, that’s because both veins of medicine have the same goal in mind–to keep people healthy over the short- and long-term, and at every point in between–whether that requires preventive care, the treatment of a malady, or another kind of care.

The type of patient each kind of provider treats will make it easier for you to choose between an internal medicine provider or a family doctor. Since internal medicine only treat adults, seeking treatment from this kind of provider is an option if you’re an adult. With general practitioners treating patients of all ages, their services are appropriate for newborns, toddlers, young adults, and grown-ups.

What is a Nurse Practitioner?

Nurse Practitioner’s are clinicians that blend clinical expertise in diagnosing and treating health conditions with an added emphasis on disease prevention and health management, NPs bring a comprehensive perspective and personal touch to health care. What sets NPs apart from other health care providers is their unique emphasis on the health and well-being of the whole person. With a focus on health promotion, disease prevention and health education and counseling, NPs guide patients in making smarter health and lifestyle choices, which in turn can lower patients’ out-of-pocket costs.

Factors to Consider

In addition to your age, there are a few other factors to consider when choosing between a family doctor and an internal medicine provider. The condition for which you’re seeking treatment and where given doctor practices are two of them. For example, if you’re an adult needing treatment for a condition that requires a hospital stay, you may want to choose a provider who has privileges at the facility where you’ll be admitted.

Common Conditions Treated by Internal Medicine Providers

Like their family physician counterparts, internal medicine providers are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of health problems. Some common conditions internists treat include:

• Diabetes
• COPD
• Hypertension
• Knee or back pain
• Sinusitis
• Osteoporosis
• Weight gain
• Urinary tract infections
• Congestive heart failure
• And more!

You can trust our highly-trained providers at Matthews Internal Medicine. Fill out our new patient forms or Call Us at 704-246-3936 now!