Find a Doctor
How to Choose Between a Family Doctor and an Internal Medicine Doctor
Both are primary care doctors for adults. Here's how to pick the right one for your situation.
Family medicine
Family physicians complete a residency that covers patients of all ages — newborns to seniors — plus obstetrics, pediatrics, and minor procedures. They're a good fit if you want one doctor for the whole family or value broad scope over depth in adult chronic disease.
Internal medicine
Internists complete a residency focused on adult medicine — diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, COPD, and complex multi-system illness. They're often the right pick for adults with chronic conditions or coordinating multiple specialists.
How to choose
- Want one doctor for kids and adults? Family medicine.
- Adult with multiple chronic conditions? Internal medicine.
- Pregnant or planning to be? OB-GYN or family medicine that does obstetrics.
- Over 65 with multiple medications? Internal medicine or geriatrics.