Family physicians and internal medicine doctors usually complete 3-4 years of further training after medical school and they take exams to become board certified in their specialties. However, the nature of their residencies differs. (But don't mistake them with "interns," who are doctors in their first year of residency training.) Internal medicine vs. family medicine: Residencies and training. Internal medicine physicians, on the other hand, develop deeper training on common adult health conditions. We spoke with a handful of physicians to help you understand these two primary care specialties. Their depth of experience in this setting is greater than that of most family physicians,” Dr. Doggett explains. 0 comment. However, whats the difference? Family medicine practitioners will only have a general awareness of the diseases and treatment unlike the internal medicine practitioners who are well versed in special treatments. The confusion arises because most of the patients seen by family physicians are adults. Meanwhile, most internal medicine primary care residents typically spend 20-25% of their time in outpatient care. However, the nature of their residencies differs. Family medicine doctors may be thought of as pediatricians and internal medicine doctors. As medicine became more and more granularly specialized, the medical field pushed for more continuity of care. Lastly, the ability for a physician to further specialize lends itself more to internal medicine than it does family medicine, according to Dr. Girgis. He outlines a few of the typical duties one can expect to find in both internal and family medicine: All three may take care of some of the same problems, but their training is different. “Most primary care physicians, however, perform only a few of these procedures on a routine basis, or choose to perform none of these procedures,” Dr. Remakus adds. Now let’s outline a few differences in these primary care specialties. We should learn from each other, but continue to celebrate our … Family doctors and internists focus on the patient as a whole, preventing, diagnosing, and treating illnesses of all kinds. "We usually start by explaining that internal medicine doctors see patients 18 and over, while family medicine doctors can see patients of all ages, as well as provide many of the services a woman could get from an OB-GYN.” Dr. David Pyle, Internal Medicine, explains the difference between these two specialties #stbmedicalgroupminute • Performing minor office procedures, such as abscess drainages, removal of foreign bodies from the skin and eyes, laceration repair, uncomplicated fracture care, and excision of skin lesions Internal medicine residencies are typically hospital-based, while family medicine residencies are primarily office-based. Internal medicine and family practice are two closely related branches of primary care. An internal medicine physician cares for adults. Both family medicine and internal medicine doctors are considered primary care physicians. Scientific methods were applied to an array of adult diseases. OB can be a big division point as well. Well, for simplification purposes the difference is who the doctor treats. Both family practitioners and internists have a three-year residency. Family medicine vs. internal medicine. “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. Dr. Girgis also points out that internists can do both inpatient and outpatient medicine, though many now work as hospitalists and just see inpatients. • In the referral system, family practitioner is the first contact medical officer while internal medicine comes a bit later. Family medicine is the speciality usually associated with the term "general practitioner". Family medicine emerged with the primary care movement in the 1960s. ©Matthews Internal Medicine 2017. Saju Mathew, M.D., a family medicine physician at Piedmont, explains the difference between family medicine and internal medicine. That means when you schedule an appointment with a family physician, your doctor will have a broad base of training in conditions and issues that affect patients of all ages, from infants to seniors. They need not merge. When it comes time to choose internal medicine versus family medicine, only you can make that decision. Internal Medicine vs. Family Medicine – The Origins. Send thanks to the doctor. “A family physician like myself, we see adults and kids, plus we do a lot of women’s health ,” says Dr. Mathew. "Internal medicine residents usually have a more rigorous call schedule throughout their three-year training with calls taken exclusively in the hospital. Facts About Family Medicine and Internal Medicine Practices. Internal medicine tends to focus more on inpatient services such as those provided in hospitals and doctor’s office environments, whereas family medicine mostly involves outpatient services such as clinic services. Preventative medicine is a big part of family medicine. If you live in or around the Charlotte Metro area and want to find out more about the care options offered by Matthews Internal Medicine: Call 704-246-3926 or use our online form to request an appointment today. Both types of physicians encounter a variety of conditions in different types of patients. This is usually a family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, or sometimes OB/GYN doctor. Internists have in-depth training and education in inpatient treatment as well as outpatient care. And that means they’re focused specifically on the very unique needs and health risks adult patients face at every stage of their adult years. Med Care. Internal medicine and family medicine developed from different backgrounds. This comparison should help you feel more equipped to take the next step in your medical career. They also tend to have more training in women’s health and pediatrics as well as certain specialties like orthopaedics. Because internal medicine education focuses only on adults and includes experience in both general medicine and the internal medicine subspecialties, training in adult medical issues is comprehensive and deep. While some interns may train to become internists, an internist – or internal medicine doctor – is a “full-fledged” doctor who’s completed all the training necessary to provide you with comprehensive care that’s focused on your unique needs. Family Medicine vs Internal Medicine • Family practice is office based while internal medicine is hospital based. Internists tend to face more serious ailments, so the ability to work under pressure is also imperative. “Residency programs for both internal medicine and family medicine vary somewhat depending on their location, and the scope of training may be different in rural versus urban settings and in different regions of the country,” Dr. Doggett points out. "Family practitioners typically provide more ‘well-patient’ services in the office setting.". ", “Internal medicine residents usually have a more rigorous call schedule throughout their three-year training with calls taken exclusively in the hospital,” Dr. Remakus says. Because the training and education of internal medicine focuses solely on adults in both general medicine and the internal medicine subspecialties, internists develop a comprehensive and deep expertise. Family physicians must also possess strong relational skills as they often form bonds with patients and their families over time. "Internal medicine residents take care of hospitalized patients for three years.". After completing medical school courses, aspiring physicians in both internal medicine and family medicine begin their residencies. Internal Medicine VS Family Medicine Your doctor is an important part of your life. In general, family physicians focus on preventive medicine in an outpatient setting, while internists work more with inpatients, though they can work in clinics as well. You know how a pediatrician treats only kids? What’s the difference between an Internal Medicine practice and a Family Medicine practice? Internal medicine continued to grow as a field solely devoted to adult patients. Internal medicine training provides depth in adult medicine. Dr. Henry Ng answered. Internal medicine and family medicine are two of the major fields for primary care physicians. Practically, I found that most family medicine residents spend nearly 50% of patient-care time in the outpatient setting. The difference is in the type of patients they treat. Charlotte web design by Knowmad Digital Marketing. It all comes down to your own personal preferences. No two shifts are the same, so critical-thinking skills are crucial to assess a completely new set of symptoms with each patient. 3 doctors agree . A key differentiator in internal medicine and family medicine can be found within their patient demographics: The types of patients they treat is what separates the two areas of medicine. And finally, in addition to providing outpatient care at their practices, internists are more likely to provide hospital care as well. Lots of people are confused by the two terms – or more accurately, by the differences between the two specialties. Another difference between internal medicine and family medicine is in their training and residencies. "Family physicians have a broader scope, and usually feel comfortable caring for people of all ages and types of problems.". Family medicine focuses on treating patients of all ages– both kids and adults. 434 North Trade St., Suite 104 Matthews, NC 28105. Explore This High-Demand Medical Career, Medical School GPA: Why Good Grades Are Only Part of the Equation, How to Prepare for Medical School Interviews: Steps for Success, 5 Primary Care Specialties Aspiring Doctors Should Consider, Doctor of Medicine/Master of Science (MD/MSC) ›, Doctor of Medicine/Master of Public Health (MD/MPH) ›. Another difference between internal medicine and family medicine is in their training and residencies. An internist is a doctor only for adults. These differences between internal medicine and family medicine training result in unique skill sets for each discipline and different strengths in caring for patients. While these are the general differences between the two, keep in mind that residencies may vary based on a number of factors. • Administering nerve blocks, joint injections, and trigger point injections This allows them to diagnose a wide variety of diseases that commonly affect adults and to handle complicated cases where multiple conditions affect a single patient. “Family practice residents usually receive approximately one year of that same inpatient training, and then split the remaining two years of training among pediatrics, OB/GYN, and other outpatient medical disciplines.” If you want to understand the differences between internal medicine and family medicine, first take a look at how these two areas of the field were formed. "Internists and family practitioners both diagnose and treat patients within the confines of their training and comfort levels.". In many ways, these types of doctors are similar: Their common goal is to help you protect and improve your health. As an adult, you can receive great care from both a family doctor and an internal medicine doctor. Both family medicine and internal medicine physicians are primary care doctors who provide wide-ranging treatment and preventive health services. The rotations for internal medicine focus on the needs of adults and include endocrinology, gastroenterology, rheumatology and cardiology. Internal medicine and family medicine are two very common specialties. In general, family physicians are trained to diagnose and treat an entire spectrum of medical issues for patients of all ages. Another key to understanding internal medicine versus family medicine is in what they do, both in their day-to-day work and the type of care they provide. Internal medicine residencies are typically hospital-based, … Keep reading for a side-by-side comparison of internal medicine versus family medicine. Many family medicine residencies are located in areas of need and specifically aim to produce primary care physicians to improve health care outcomes in these areas. When Should You See an Internist? “Internal medicine residents spend more time in hospital settings learning to care for adults with complex medical problems. Internal medicine is focused on the unique needs of adult patients Doctors who practice internal medicine are referred to as internists, while family medicine physicians are typically known as family doctors or general practitioners. In fact, for many people, it’s one of the most important relationships they have because their doctor is so closely tied to their health, well being, and overall quality of life. Clearing up these commonly confused areas of practice can help you plan your primary care career path. Family medicine training provides a broad overview of medicine, pediatrics, ob-gyn, sports medicine, psychiatry, etc. Internal Medicine vs. Family Medicine. He stresses that this is a generalization, as family practitioners do also treat some seriously ill patients and patients with complex problems, while internists can also treat patients who are essentially healthy. At the same time, pediatrics began to develop as another branch of medicine. “Most family doctors focus exclusively on outpatient medicine. 0. But you’re still unsure of which primary care specialty you should be seeking. As you can see, the ages of patients is one differentiator between internal and family medicine. Some programs are even developing OB tracks for residents who want to focus on this part of their future practice. Prospective students searching for Internal Medicine vs. General Practice Doctors found the following resources, articles, links, and information helpful. At Duke Primary Care, adults have a choice between doctors specializing in family medicine or internal medicine. Another difference between these two specialties is family medicine’s focus on preventive care in the outpatient setting. People who searched for Internal Medicine Doctor vs. Endocrinologist found the articles, information, and resources on this page helpful. “Internists can extend their training into a whole host of specialties, while the choices for family physicians are limited.”. In contrast, internal medicine programs are known for emphasizing preparation for fellowship and sub-specialization. Med-Peds seems more conducive to inpatient care where as Family seems more focused on outpatient. 0. Internal medicine physicians can be called "internists," "general internists," and "doctors of internal medicine." “Family practice residents also take calls in the hospital while they are rotating through internal medicine and obstetrics, but most of their calls during their second and third years are taken from home.” A family practitioner is a pediatrician and internist combined into one specialty, and cares for both children and adults. The general and subspecialty nature of training equips internists to develop expertise in diagnosing the wide variety of diseases that c… 0 thank. That doesn’t mean a family doctor can’t treat patients in an inpatient setting, but most of their training focuses on outpatient services, with inpatient needs referred to specialists. “Family physicians have a broader scope, and usually feel comfortable caring for people of all ages and types of problems.” She adds that in her experience, family medicine doctors do more outpatient procedures like skin biopsies, IUD placement, and joint injections. 1. One more important area of confusion to clear up: While they’re often referred to as internists, an internal medicine doctor is not the same as an intern, a term that refers to a medical student who’s still in training. Internal Medicine focuses on adult medicine to the exclusion notably of surgical specialties, pediatrics and psychiatry. Learn more about the factors you should consider when weighing you options in our article, “How to Choose a Medical School: 9 Things to Evaluate Before Accepting.”, TAGS: careers, doctor advice, medical specialties, primary care, Internal Medicine vs. Family Medicine: Diagnosing the Differences, Internal medicine emerged in the late 1800s, develop a comprehensive and deep expertise, How to Choose a Medical School: 9 Things to Evaluate Before Accepting, What’s a Primary Care Physician? All Rights Reserved. Unlike family medicine practitioners, internal medicine practitioners have special training in dealing with very complex and chronic illnesses. What’s the difference between family practice vs internal medicine practice? June 18, 2018. Where these physicians care for their patients is another. This means they’re the first line of defense for helping you stay healthy. In this article, we take a detailed look at the type of medicine these professionals practice and what the origins of these practices are. Residents in family medicine rotate through specialties such as in-patient care, surgery, obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics and geriatrics. Author information: (1)Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento 95817, USA. Though quite similar, there is difference between internal medicine and family practice. “In the most basic sense, internists and family practitioners both diagnose and treat patients within the confines of their training and comfort levels,” says internist Dr. Bernard Remakus, Internist and author. “Many internists end up working in hospitals, while most family medicine doctors work in outpatient settings,” says family physician Dr. Lisa Doggett, MPH, FAAFP. Wondering what the difference is between a family doctor and an internal medicine doctor? Internal medicine emerged in the late 1800s as the medical field grew increasingly scientific. "Many internists end up working in hospitals, while most family medicine doctors work in outpatient settings.". This will give you more clarity and allow you to make a better-informed decision about which doctor you need to consult. They both treat similar conditions, often act as a primary care provider, and refer patients to a specialist when needed. After completing medical school courses, aspiring physicians in both internal medicine and family medicine begin their residencies. “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. Bertakis KD(1), Callahan EJ, Helms LJ, Azari R, Robbins JA, Miller J. Preventative medicine is a big part of family medicine.". They both serve as a patient’s “primary” source of care when concerning symptoms develop and can refer patients to other specialists, if necessary. They Both Go by the Name of Primary Care Physicians: Family Medicine Practitioners Attend to Children and Adults; Internal Medicine Physicians Treat Only Adults; Choosing Between Family Medicine and Internal Medicine; When Should You See a Family Doctor? Specialization in family medicine is limited to fields such as geriatrics, adolescents, or sports … After training, most family medicine providers immediately start their practice. “Some family doctors are quicker to refer patients to specialists if needed, while some like to do as much as they can themselves.” She says some family physicians, for example, choose to perform minor skin surgeries, while some prefer to refer these patients to other specialists. Often, when their children are sick, parents take them to a pediatrician, a physician who specializes in treating children, instead of a general practitioner such as a family doctor. Physician practice styles and patient outcomes: differences between family practice and general internal medicine. “Internal medicine residents take care of hospitalized patients for three years, with ample training in emergency medicine, critical care, and medical sub-specialty care,” Dr. Remakus explains. A pediatrician cares for children. Advocating for the importance of long-term doctor-patient relationships, family medicine emerged to serve the social unit of an entire family, as opposed to segmenting care by a certain age, organ, or type of treatment. While family medicine and internal medicine represent overlapping Venn diagrams, they have major and important differences. Well, an internal medicine doctor (or internist) treats only adults. But before choosing a specialty, you must first choose the school from which you’ll acquire your training. The wide variety in daily duties, different types of ailments, and the relationship-building that occurs with recurring patients are all job aspects you find attractive — not to mention the opportunity to help ease the impending primary care physician shortage. This approach to medicine was unique and was applied to the wide spectrum of diseases that affect adults. A GP/family doctor used to be a doctor who only did one year of internship training after medical school. 1998 Jun;36(6):879-91. Like many, you’re unsure of the difference between internal medicine and family medicine. You know you’re destined for a career in medicine, and you have your sights set on working in primary care. You’re in good company. As others have pointed out, Med-Peds gives you more access to fellowships and subspecialties. "Most family doctors focus exclusively on outpatient medicine. First, take a look at some of the things that both internal medicine and family medicine physicians can expect to do on a daily basis. But there are differences in their training and the types of patients they see. "Internal medicine focuses exclusively on adult medicine, while family medicine typically sees all the members of a family.". A family medicine doctor can treat people of all ages, but an internist only treats older adolescents and adults. A: While both family medicine doctors and internal medicine doctors treat adults, a family medicine practitioner has more experience caring for patients of all ages. We can see a healthy newborn in one visit and step into the next to find a 90-year-old with complicated medical problems,” Dr. Girgis says. Another difference between the residencies of internal and family medicine is the call schedule, with internal medicine taking calls at hospitals. An internal medicine practitioner strictly treats adults, while a family practice doctor cares for patients of all ages. Why is there confusion over the roles of family doctors vs. internal medicine physicians? Answered on Feb 26, 2020. While there is some overlap between internal medicine and family practice, there are several important differences between the two. Some even deliver babies, while the vast majority do not. Internal medicine doctors are educated in general medical and health needs (including preventive care) as well, but as noted, that training is focused on adults. • Executing diagnostic procedures such as sigmoidoscopy, proctoscopy, and minor gynecological testing Now family medicine is a speciality that requires a 3 year residency. But because adulthood involves a lot of unique medical needs and health risks, many adult patients prefer the in-depth focus that only an internist can provide. 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