The Health Department has been significantly upgrading. Over time, the diseases and their treatments have evolved, creating vast differences in the studying process. Therefore, the healthcare sectors are also progressing day by day. Therefore, due to differences in treatment procedures, doctors are also diverse.
Around the globe, healthcare organizations are currently introducing highly advanced technologies to provide quality treatment for levels of proficiency and added security. In addition, various measures are also taken to ensure a healthy lifestyle. The organizations of the healthcare department are taking steps to make sure that the panel of doctors and other staff offer active treatment and efficient services. With the advanced means of providing treatments and expert healthcare workers, the healthcare sector is making progress by leaps and bounds.
But there is confusion regarding the distribution of doctors, are internal medicine and general physician the same? Let us discuss the differences, similarities, and qualities of these doctors in today’s article.
Differences of Internal Medicine and General Physician
Both internal medicine and general physicians are trained to fulfill healthcare needs. These doctors are usually qualified with slightly different specialization degrees, but they have the same MBBS degree. The primary reason for their classification is that the general physician can treat both adults and children. Still, the internal medicine doctor is specialized to see the medical problems related to adults only. This shows that a general physician has a long-term relationship with their patients compared to an internal medicine physician.
Internal Medicine
“An internal medicine doctor (also known as an internist) is a doctor who is specialized to perform its medical duties on adults only.”
There is a series of treatments provided by the internal medicine which may include, but are not limited to, the following mentioned conditions:
- Diabetes
- Infections
- Hypertension
- Asthma
Their training mainly focuses on providing general medicines and treatments. The Internal medicine doctor may decide a suitable area of medicine in which he opts for many subspecialties, primarily revolving around infectious diseases and endocrinology. Some internal medicine doctors may also choose to become an oncologist (a doctor who can treat cancer and related conditions). In addition, internal medicine can deal with outpatients and inpatients. While internal medicine doctors typically diagnose and cure medical problems of greater complexity than family practitioners in both hospital settings and offices. However, family practitioners usually provide more well-patient services in their offices.
Internal medicine doctors are provided with the following Job responsibilities:
- Writing prescription
- Developing a treatment plan
- Monitoring of chronic conditions
- Reviewing of complete family history
- Ordering of lab tests and also checking the results
General Practice Doctor
“A general practice doctor is usually referred as a family doctor and provide its treatment to each member of the family, irrespective of any age group.”
A general practitioner provides its treatment to a range of general medical conditions. However, he may not perform surgeries. They are qualified and manage cases that are usually related to:
- Diseases prevention
- Health maintenance
The general medicine doctor is responsible for checking outpatients in its clinics and medical offices. He may perform the following medical responsibilities:
- Provides care for chronic conditions
- Provide health education
- Recommend the right specialist to its patient
- Counsel its patients
- Carry out immunization schedules
- Manages the complete patient health record
Similarities of General Physician and Internal Medicine
Among the similarities between working modes of general physician and internal medicine doctor, the following are the most typical:
- General Physicians and internal medicine treat patients with general health concerns.
- They both can perform minor office procedures, including removing foreign particles from the eyes of their patients.
- They trigger point infections, administer joint infection, and nerve blockages.
- Both can execute diagnostic practice, including proctoscopy, minor gynecologic testing, and sigmoidoscopy.
Conclusion
Knowing the differences between the standard terms of the healthcare profession is required to get guidance on what to do when you encounter disease or medical illness. Therefore, having sufficient knowledge is necessary. To know more about medical-related knowledge and to consult the best general physicians and internal medicine specialists, visit MARHAM.PK.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1- Which doctor prescribes medical tests?
Internal Medicine doctors can prescribe you tests and review them upon the diagnosis of a particular disease. However, a general physician would guide you to which specialist you need to consult about your illness.
2- Which healthcare workers are primary care doctors?
Both internal medicine and family doctors are called primary care doctors because both are capable enough to diagnose and guide you about the treatment and prevention of the diseases.
3- Are internal medicine doctors called specialists?
Internal medicine physicians are the specialists, which apply scientific knowledge and practice to diagnose a particular disease based upon their specialty. They also promote disease prevention.
4- Can internal medicine doctors deal with emergencies?
Internal medicine doctors can deal with emergency cases after specializing degree in emergency and intensive care and managing emergency problems.
