If you’re contemplating going into family medicine, you may want to contrast the differences between this and internal medicine. The two fields are often compared and contrasted; however, knowing the differences can give you a better idea of where to start.
Internal Medicine Versus Family Medicine
The two are different in many ways, but they both provide services for patients at all levels of healthcare needs. Once you have completed your medical degree, you’ll probably want to determine which specialty you want to enter.
To be a physician, you must complete four years of medical school and then receive a license from your state. After that, you’ll need to decide what type of medicine you’d like to practice.
The two most common types are internal medicine and family medicine. Both provide care for adults in all stages of health and illness. This makes them similar. But their differences make each unique and often difficult to compare side by side.
What Is Internal Medicine?
Internal medicine doctors are also known as internists. These physicians receive extensive medical training to diagnose and treat adults who have complex health problems. They provide preventive care, manage chronic illnesses, assist in surgery, and act as consultants for other specialists.
What Is Family Medicine?
Family medicine doctors take care of all types of people across their lifespans. This includes providing prenatal care and delivering babies. Family medicine physicians also treat acute illnesses, such as infections and sports injuries. They can prescribe medication and manage chronic diseases such as asthma and diabetes.
Education and Training
Both internists and family doctors receive four years of medical school training followed by a residency lasting three to seven years. A residency is a time during which physicians receive advanced training in their field of expertise.
After completing medical school, doctors who plan to become internists complete four years of residency training in internal medicine before they can practice on their own. By knowing which field they wish to specialize in before entering medical school, students can take the necessary education courses.
Both are in high need of skilled physicians, but the demand for internists is growing much faster.