You may have heard both the terms family medicine and primary care and wondered if there is a difference. They are similar, but not exactly the same. However, a family medicine physician can be a primary care provider.
What Is Primary Care?
Primary care refers to your go-to doctor for well-care, preventive care, and treating chronic illnesses. They are your first point of contact when you have a medical issue and may refer you to specialists when necessary. A primary care provider is essentially the director of your medical care, managing all of your health care needs. You’ll have a long-term relationship with that physician who will know your medical history and have all your medical records.
A primary care provider may be any one of the following:
- An internal medicine physician
- A family medicine physician
- A nurse practitioner
- A pediatrician may be the primary care provider for your child
What Is Family Medicine?
Family medicine provides comprehensive health care for your entire family, from children to elderly patients. Family medicine physicians receive extensive training in the care of people of all ages and must undergo continuing education and receive board certification in family medicine every seven years.
The scope of family practice is broad, providing a multitude of health services.
Pediatric Care
Family medicine physicians provide pediatric services, including well-baby visits, immunizations, treating common illnesses, and monitoring and treating chronic conditions.
Geriatric Medicine
For elderly patients, family medicine physicians offer health assessments, treatment for age-related or chronic conditions, medication management, and referrals to specialists.
Women’s Health
Family medicine providers offer women’s health services, including annual exams, pap smears, breast exams, contraception prescriptions, and pre-natal and post-natal care. Some can even deliver babies.
Services Provided by Primary Care Providers, Including Family Medicine Providers
Any primary care provider, including family medicine physicians, can provide general medical services.
Annual Physicals
Annual physicals are important for detecting medical issues and recommending lifestyle changes that can improve your health.
Common Illness Treatment
A primary care provider can treat common illnesses such as a cold, the flu, a stomach virus, and many more. They can offer treatment and medications that are appropriate for you based on your medical history, since they have all of your medical records.
Preventive Health Services
Preventive health care is critical in helping you to avoid serious illness. It may involve screening for conditions for which you are at risk, providing vaccinations, and identifying any health risks that you have based on your medical history and current health status.
Management of Chronic Conditions
Your primary care physician can help you to manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and asthma. They will monitor your condition, adjust your treatment and medication as necessary, and keep track of new developments related to your condition, such as new medications or treatment options.
Minor Procedures
A primary care physician can perform minor procedures, including wound care and stitches, mole or cyst removal, and biopsies. The extent of procedures that they can perform depends on the extent of their training. If a procedure is beyond their training, they will coordinate your care with a surgeon.
Referrals to Specialists
Your primary care physician can refer you to specialists when necessary, such as a cardiologist, dermatologist, or gastroenterologist, and collaborate with the specialist to coordinate your care. They will communicate with the specialist so that they can assist with ongoing care and management of any conditions that you have.
Benefits of Choosing a Family Medicine Practitioner for Primary Care
Family medicine providers offer several benefits to you and your family.
- They provide comprehensive care for the entire family and are essentially a one-stop shop for all of your family’s healthcare needs. They will have information about your family’s health history and conditions, which allows them to offer more personalized treatment. Your family members will develop a long-term relationship with the family medicine physician.
- Family medicine physicians are highly skilled in preventive care, offering health screenings, immunizations, and annual physicals. This preventive care can help to detect medical issues earlier, which is critical to successfully treating many conditions.
- Family medicine providers have comprehensive knowledge and training, which gives them the ability to better diagnose and treat a broader spectrum of conditions. This knowledge also enables them to offer a wider range of preventive care to detect diseases earlier.
- Because a family medicine provider has a deep understanding of the health and history of your entire family, they are better able to coordinate your care with appropriate specialists. This gives your family a more effective overall health care experience.
In Closing
A family medicine provider can be the primary care provider for your entire family. At Health Service Alliance, our family medicine team is ready to provide care for you and your loved ones. We are dedicated to providing compassionate, personalized, and accessible care regardless of your ability to pay. Reach out today to learn more.
