Paul Said:

What is the difference between a family practice doctor and an internal medicine doctor?

We Answered:

The first answer is totally wrong. Once you get out of medical school, you can specialize in many different things. 2 of them are internal medicine and family practice. Not all doctors have a "degree" in internal medicine.

Internal medicine is an adult-centered specialty, which concentrates on an understanding of how the body works as a whole and all of the physiologic processes that go on inside it. A general internist can work in either a hospital or community setting and treats many common diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, pain, etc, and refers to others as needed.

A family practice doctor is trained in pediatric and adult medicine. They are more well versed in general care of all ages and sexes. Family practice docs are often more community based, but there are many that work in hospitals too. A family practice doctor is more qualified to be a "jack-of-all-trades", doing general gynecologic, medical , and minor surgical needs, which makes them ideal for a rural doctor where there are few other docs around.

The short answer is, you'll be fine going to the family practice doctor for your pain. An internal med or family practice doc will know when to refer you if necessary. Good luck!

Jerry Said:

Internal Medicine doctor or Family Dr what is the diff?

We Answered:

Internal Medicine doctors are primary physicians that take patients with illnesses such as diabetes and other illnesses. Family doctors can treat these patients too but since people with illnesses like this need more treatment than patients that don't have serious illnesses the Internal Medicine Dr is usually recommended. I have an Internal Med Doc for my diabetes but the rest of my family have family medicine doctors.

Judith Said:

what does an internal medicine doctor do specifically?

We Answered:

This is concerned with diagnosis management and nonsurgical treatment of unusual or serious diseases called INTERNISTS!!
Most internists are sub specialists means limit practice problem's with one of the organs within the human body such as the lungs, kidneys, stomach etc.etc.
Internal medicine is a field dedicated to the prevention and treatment of diseases seen in the human body's.This care is done threw the persons entire life. Residency training is a must in several departments such as Cardiology, Nephrology, Endocrinology..
The time you will spend to become an internist is fairly long so be sure this is what you really want to do but its also so rewarding as well.
4 yrs for college, 4 more for medical school.Then have pre med courses, Bio- general animal, plants, cells micro-bio etc,etc,.Chemistry classes, organic, advanced chemistry, Physics, pre calc/calculus, language English courses as well some classes in Biology, Chemistry, Human anatomy, Physicis, Microbiology,Pharamocology, there are many classes to take and do as you advance threw your internist
For the TV shows House and Scrubs don't listen to this! these people are actors and most the time they can't even pronounce the name of the illness a person is to portray in the show.Least treat it right...
The majiors you study may depend on the part of the human body you wish to study or study the entire body. This has a huge factor as to what you study and how long you must do so to become a great internalist.

Marilyn Said:

What's the difference between a family practice and a internal medicine doctor?

We Answered:

not really a whole lot of difference.. one a D.O. ones a M.D. or somthing like that ,,, but you can go to either for a ear INFECTION or something like that..

Jeremy Said:

Physical given by internal medicine doctor different than physical given by pediatrician?

We Answered:

Well for me its different.
they don't check your balls and stuff anymore, like a pediatrician would.
I never got the Prostate checked.
They just asked a whole bunch of questions.
Thats about it.