Internal Medicine Versus A Family Practioner: Who’s Better For You
- Are you trying to choose between a family practitioner and an internal medicine physician?
- Are you confused about the differences between these two doctors?
- Is one doctor more appropriate to meet your health needs?
Our doctor explains the difference between the two specialized medical fields so you can make an informed decision.
Dr. Deana Al-Kahteeb of Ridgeview Internal Medicine, located in Woodbridge, VA, is an internal medicine doctor with over twenty years of experience in this field and is willing to answer any questions regarding Internal Medicine.
Explaining an Internal Medicine Doctor
An Internal Medicine (IM) Doctor does almost everything a Family Practitioner does except see children under 18. They are considered “adult” doctors. Here are some distinct differences in training that doctors of Internal Medicine complete.
- Internists train in more sub-specialties, such as rheumatology, infectious disease, and neurology.
- An internist receives more training in adult specialties, such as dermatology, obstetrics, geriatrics, palliative care, and sleep research.
- Internists focus more on inpatient care as they spend more time studying with intensive-critical care patients in the hospital.
- While in the hospital, IM doctors are well-rounded in other departments, such as the cardiac and gastrointestinal departments.
- According to Dr. Al-Kahteeb of Ridgeview Internal Medicine in Woodbridge, VA, after their initial training, internal medicine doctors can choose to specialize in any of the categories listed above or remain general IM doctors and see a broader scope of adult patients.
Explaining a Family Practitioner
Unlike an internal medicine doctor, a family practitioner (FP) sees patients of all ages, often from different generations in the same family. They also undergo very different training, as listed below.
- More “wellness” centered intentions mean they try to keep their patients healthy with wellness visits instead of being seen to remedy a medical problem.
- They aim to keep patients in their homes and focus on outpatient care.
- Case manage more chronic conditions such as Diabetes or COPD in coordination with appropriate specialists.
- FPs practice in more rural and urban settings without the benefit of many specialists.
- FPs also get well-rounded training in multiple disciplines, such as pediatrics, gynecology, and geriatrics, though they may get less training on internal processes than IM doctors.
- FPs are usually the first contact point for any patient’s health problem.
Both specialties treat a specific population. If you seek a doctor who understands internal processes and how they relate to your body, an IM doctor may be for you.
Schedule Your Appointment Today!
Call Dr. Al-Kahteeb of Ridgeview Internal Medicine at 703-494-4116 in Woodbridge, VA, to schedule your appointment. Our doctor looks forward to starting a caring doctor-patient relationship with you and your family today.