Published date:
|
Estimated read time: |
Authored by:
- AdventHealth
Topics:
Choose the health content that’s right for you, and get it delivered right in your inbox.
Making an informed decision is important when choosing the best practitioner for yourself and your family. To get the most out of your medical care, we’ll explain the similarities and differences between internal medicine and other areas of primary care.
Many people use the terms “primary care provider” and “internal medicine doctor" interchangeably, but there are a few differences in their scopes of practice.
A primary care provider, often shortened to PCP, is the healthcare practitioner you see for common medical problems and ongoing care. The National Library of Medicine describes a PCP as your main healthcare provider in nonemergency situations, and notes that while a PCP is most often a doctor, the role may also be filled by a physician assistant (PA) or a nurse practitioner (NP, APRN).
Internists are one of several types of doctors who can fill that role. Family physicians, pediatricians and geriatricians are others.
Keep reading to learn what internal medicine actually covers, what a primary care provider does, how internal medicine compares with family medicine specifically and how to decide which is the better fit for your healthcare needs.
Is Internal Medicine the Same as Primary Care?
Internal medicine is not the same as primary care, but they do overlap, and that's where most of the confusion lies. Primary care is a role — it describes what a clinician does for you: first point of contact, ongoing relationship, preventive care and referrals when you need a specialist. Internal medicine is a specialty — it describes what a doctor trained in: the diagnosis and treatment of disease in adults.
An internist working in an outpatient clinic is performing primary care services. The American College of Physicians (ACP) explains that internal medicine physicians' training uniquely qualifies them to practice primary care and follow patients throughout their adult lives.
The same specialty also staffs hospitals. The ACP notes that most hospitalists in the United States, the doctors who care for you while you’re admitted, are internal medicine physicians. So internal medicine is broader than primary care, and primary care is broader than internal medicine, and many internists are both.
What is Internal Medicine?
Internal medicine covers a wide range of health needs for people 18 and older. An internal medicine physician, also known as an internist, has studied the human body extensively and can provide preventive healthcare and manage chronic diseases.
Patient-Centered Approach
Many chronic health issues facing American adults today have different root causes and complicated treatment regimens. Internists specialize in the human body to provide the best possible treatments and outcomes.
If you have complex medical conditions or chronic illnesses, consider establishing a relationship with an internist. Together, you'll focus on comprehensive care and either treating your conditions or preventing chronic illness.
Common Conditions Treated in Internal Medicine
Certain long-term health problems require the expertise and thorough disease management skills of internal medicine physicians. Your internist will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan for a variety of chronic health conditions, including:
- Arthritis
- Autoimmune conditions
- Blood disorders
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Geriatric health problems
- Infectious diseases
- Kidney problems
- Lung problems
- Multisystem disorders and symptoms
It’s important to note that some internists complete additional fellowship training, typically one to three years, to subspecialize in a specific field, such as cardiology or gastroenterology. However, these providers remain internal medicine physicians with added subspecialty expertise.
What Is a Primary Care Provider (PCP)?
A primary care provider, or PCP, is the clinician you see first for most health concerns and the one who knows your history over time. The ACP describes four primary things a PCP is for: provide preventive care and teach healthy lifestyle choices, identify and treat common medical conditions, judge how urgent a problem is and direct you to the right place for it, and refer you to a specialist when you need one.
Primary care is mostly delivered in an outpatient setting, though your PCP may be involved in your care if you are admitted to the hospital.
The difference between primary care and urgent or emergency care isn't the seriousness of the problem — it's the length of the relationship. Emergency care treats you during an episode. A primary care provider works with you over the years, which is what makes the preventive half of the job possible.
Types of Primary Care Providers
- Family Physicians: Doctors who care for people of all ages. Family practitioners have completed a family practice residency and are either board-certified or board-eligible, with a scope of care that covers children, elderly patients and people of all ages. Family members often choose to use the same family practice or even the same doctor as they build trust with their family medicine provider over time.
- Geriatricians: Doctors who care for older adults with medical issues related to aging. These providers have completed a residency in either family medicine or internal medicine before certifying in geriatrics.
- Internists: As mentioned earlier, internists provide primary care for adults and may specialize in certain types of disease management, including cardiology, pulmonary disease or critical care. These providers have completed an internal medicine residency covering care for adults of all ages.
- Pediatricians: Board-certified or board-eligible doctors who care for newborns, infants and children. Pediatricians are specially trained to monitor, diagnose and treat newborns and children and have completed a pediatric residency. Some pediatricians complete an additional two to six years of further training in a subspecialty.
Your primary care provider plays a significant role in your and your family's well-being. While there are different types of primary care providers, they all serve the same purpose: to support the full spectrum of patient care, diagnose and treat illnesses and provide consistent preventive healthcare. Doctors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners can all specialize in primary care.
Common Conditions Treated in Primary Care
Primary care providers specialize in early intervention, particularly when it comes to patient lifestyle changes and health maintenance. As a result, you can rely on your primary care provider to help manage and treat nearly any condition. Some examples are:
- Allergic reaction
- Anxiety
- Cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Depression
- Earaches and ear infections
- Flu-like illnesses
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Infections
- Migraines
- Obesity
- Respiratory conditions
- Skin rashes and allergies
- Sprains and strains
Learn about how to find a primary care doctor near you.
Internal Medicine vs. Family Medicine: What Is the Difference?
If you're choosing a primary care provider, you may have this question. Both internal medicine and family medicine fall under primary care, and both will see you for sick visits and help with managing and preventing chronic conditions. The difference is who else they are trained to treat.
Family medicine covers everyone. A family physician completes a family practice residency and is trained to care for children and adults of all ages, and in some practices, that scope extends to obstetrics and minor surgery. That's why a whole household can often see the same doctor.
Internal medicine covers adults only, and more in-depth. The ACP describes internists as experts in complexity, specially trained to solve diagnostic problems, manage severe long-term illnesses and help patients with multiple chronic conditions at once. They spend at least three of their seven or more years of medical school and postgraduate training focused specifically on preventing, diagnosing and treating disease in adults.
In general, a family physician suits a household that wants one doctor for everybody. An internist suits an adult who wants more support for complex health needs.
How to Choose Between an Internist and Another Primary Care Provider
It’s helpful to start by considering who needs care. If you need one practice for children and adults, family medicine is the more natural fit. If everyone who needs care is an adult, an internist may be best. You can also use our AdventHealth provider directory to filter by care type and specialty to find the care you need close to home.
Then consider how complicated your health already is. Several chronic conditions interacting with one another, a long medication list or a complex diagnosis are all reasons to want a doctor whose entire training is in adult disease.
After that, the deciding factors are practical: whether the practice accepts your insurance, whether the office hours fit your life, how easy it is to reach the provider between visits, whether they prefer email or a patient portal, whether you’re comfortable with their experience level and approach.
But remember, none of these is a permanent decision. It may take time to find the right health partner, and what matters most is a provider you can communicate with easily. Learn more about our primary care services or book an appointment with Primary Care+ for access to the care you deserve at a time that works for you.
FAQ: Internal Medicine vs. Primary Care
10 items. To interact with these items, press Control-Option-Shift-Right Arrow
- What’s the difference between internal medicine vs. primary care?
-
The main focus of internal medicine vs. primary care lies in their patient populations. Internal medicine physicians focus on adults, often managing complex, chronic conditions, while other primary care physicians provide comprehensive care for patients of all ages, including children, adolescents and adults.
- Why do people choose internal medicine vs. primary care?
-
Some people choose internal medicine over primary care because of the specialized focus on diagnosing and managing complex adult conditions, offering expertise in areas like diabetes, heart disease and respiratory disorders.
- What type of doctor is best for primary care?
-
When choosing between internal medicine vs. primary care, the type of doctor best suited depends on your preferences and medical needs. Choosing the best primary care provider for yourself involves considering factors such as your age, medical history and the need for specialized expertise in managing specific health concerns.
- Are internal medicine physicians and other primary care physicians trained differently?
-
Yes, internal medicine physicians and other primary care physicians undergo different training paths. Internal medicine physicians receive specialized training in diagnosing and treating adult diseases. On the other hand, primary care physicians undergo broader training that encompasses various medical specialties and patient populations, including family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics. Learn about the differences between family medicine vs. primary care physicians.
- What types of patients do internal medicine vs. primary care physicians treat?
-
Internal medicine physicians typically treat adult patients, including those with chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, as well as acute illnesses. Primary care physicians, meanwhile, can care for patients of all ages, depending on their specialty, and may treat a broader range of conditions.
- Are there any specific medical conditions that internal medicine physicians focus on more than primary care physicians?
-
Internal medicine physicians often specialize in caring for internal organs. So, when it comes to internal medicine vs. primary care doctors, internal medicine physicians are trained to help manage conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and respiratory disorders. Primary care physicians have a more generalist approach, addressing a wide spectrum of medical issues, including preventive care, acute illnesses and minor injuries.
- What role do internal medicine physicians vs. primary care physicians play in preventive health care?
-
Internal medicine and primary care physicians play crucial roles in preventive health care. Internal medicine physicians focus on managing chronic conditions and promoting healthy lifestyles in adults. At the same time, other primary care providers emphasize preventive health care across all age groups, including immunizations, screenings and counseling on lifestyle modifications.
- How do I choose between an internal medicine vs. a primary care physician?
-
When deciding between a specialized internal medicine provider and another type of primary care doctor, you'll need to consider your needs and the services each specialty can provide. Finding a provider you connect with and feel comfortable talking to is important in creating a lasting, long-term health care relationship.
- What does PCP stand for?
-
PCP stands for primary care provider or primary care physician. It’s the clinician you see for routine and ongoing care. The American College of Physicians notes that the role is most often filled by a doctor but may also be filled by a physician assistant or a nurse practitioner.
- Is an internist the same as a general practitioner?
-
No, an internist isn’t the same as a general practitioner. Internists who practice general internal medicine, sometimes called general internists, treat adults only. General practice, as the term is used in the United States, more often refers to family medicine, which covers patients of all ages. Both can offer primary care.
Establish a Relationship With a Primary Care+ Provider Today
If you're looking for a primary care provider, we can help. At AdventHealth Primary Care+, we specialize in patient-centered, whole-person care and form lasting relationships between our patients and physicians. We offer flexible scheduling and are open seven days a week.
Book an appointment with Primary Care+ today, or find the specialized care you need close to home by using our AdventHealth provider directory.
Recent Blogs
5 items. To interact with these items, press Control-Option-Shift-Right Arrow.
