Do you know the difference between Internal Medicine and Family Medicine? Which one is the right choice for you?
Family Medicine and Internal Medicine are very similar however, there are a few differences.
Some of the similarities is the focus on prevention of disease and both focus on getting you healthy and keeping you healthy. They require 3 years of post-graduate training in a residency and are designated as primary care providers. Both have the patient’s best interest as their primary goal.
However, some of the differences are that Internal medicine specialists have further training with regard to managing chronic and long-term illnesses and disease. Internists focus on adolescent and adult patients however they usually do not see pediatric patients. Internal medicine training has half the time spent in the hospital and ICU and the other half spent in an outpatient clinic whereas Family Medicine has about 1/3 of their training in the hospital and the rest with outpatient clinics and Obstetrics. Internists have training focused on more complex medical problems and illnesses and Family practice have training focused on preventative care. However, both can see and manage seriously ill patients and both perform preventative medical care.
At Pine Top Medical, we specialize in Internal Medicine and the treatment and management of those long-term illnesses and diseases, but are also invested in our patient’s over-all care and health. Keeping you healthy and happy is our goal. If something arises that needs our specialized care, we are here for you and can help you navigate any new diagnoses and treatment. We have your best interest in heart, from adolescence through adulthood, we can take care of you!