The Differences Between Internal Medicine, Family Medicine and Primary Care

Let’s say you want to make an appointment with a doctor for a general medical concern. You start your search for a local doctor thinking you’ll just pick someone from a list. But then, you notice that each doctor has a different designation: internal medicine, family medicine, primary care, etc.

If you’re confused by these various categories, you’re not alone. Many people are unsure of which type of doctor is the right fit for their needs. To help you find a physician that can provide the best level of care, we’ve put together this guide to the differences between internal medicine, family medicine, and primary care. 

What Is Internal Medicine?

Internal medicine doctors specialize in adult medicine. Often simply called internists, doctors within this specialty are trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent a wide range of health conditions and diseases. These doctors can be found working in hospital settings as well as outpatient settings, like primary care provider offices. 

The training to become an internal medicine physician requires time spent in critical care and emergency medicine. In addition, many internists train in a subspecialty, such as infectious diseases, endocrinology, or rheumatology. 

As a result, internists have a deep knowledge of how to treat and diagnose complicated conditions found in adults. They’re also adept at helping with the management and treatment of multiple health conditions in a single patient.

What Is Family Medicine?

Family medicine is focused on providing care for all members of a family unit. That includes people of all ages, including children, adults, and the elderly. Family medicine physicians know how to diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of medical issues. Most family medicine doctors primarily work in outpatient settings rather than in hospitals.

Training to become a family medicine specialist requires some inpatient hospital experience as well as limited training in specialties like geriatric care, gynecology, behavioral health, and more.

Family medicine has a strong focus on wellness and disease prevention. Family medicine physicians take a broader approach than internal medicine physicians, so while they may not have the deep knowledge of specific adult health concerns, they’re able to treat patients of any age.

What Is Primary Care?

Primary care encompasses a wide range of medical services, but with a focus on developing a relationship with the patient over time. Essentially, a primary care physician (also known as a primary care provider or PCP) acts as a patient’s first contact for nearly all medical issues. In addition to going to a primary care doctor for things like vaccinations, cold and flu symptoms, rashes, and infections, patients typically make annual physical exam appointments for ongoing health monitoring. This gives the primary care physician a better picture of each patient’s overall health and assists in providing the best preventative care, medical treatments, and general wellness counseling on an individual level.

There are several types of primary care providers, including: 

• Internal medicine physicians
• Family medicine physicians
• Pediatricians
• Obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs)

As you can see, internal medicine and family medicine are both specialties which fall under the umbrella of primary care. However, a doctor is usually only considered your primary care provider if you see them regularly for your health concerns (as opposed to a one-off appointment). 

Tips for Choosing a Primary Care Doctor

Your primary care physician is going to be your main resource for all non-emergency medical issues. They’re going to get to know your personal health and serve as a resource when you have medical concerns or questions. For these reasons, it’s important to consider which type of primary care doctor is the best fit for you.

Internal medicine and family medicine physicians each have unique qualities to offer their patients. Consider these factors when deciding between the two:

• Internal medicine physicians may be the best choice for adults, particularly those who are dealing with a chronic condition, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease. Because internists have a deep level of knowledge in adult care, they can best assist you in managing your health over time.
• Family medicine physicians are great for people who are generally healthy and who want their whole family (including their children) to be able to go to the same primary care provider. Family medicine doctors are great for managing general, day-to-day health concerns. If more complicated issues arise down the road, a family medicine physician can refer you to other medical specialists as needed to get expert care.

Lastly, don’t forget to consider whether the doctor you want to see accepts your insurance. This is important for limiting your healthcare costs over time.

If you’re looking for an internist in the Huntington Beach area, be sure to consider Bella Terra Primary Care. Led by internal medicine specialist Dr. Nishu Karki, the staff at Bella Terra are trained to help with a wide variety of adult health concerns. In addition to routine physical exams, well woman visits, and vaccinations, Bella Terra also offers special treatments capabilities like an on-site EKG and convenient telemedicine appointments. Give Bella Terra Primary Care a call at 714-248-9068 to learn more.