Internist

[Jackles22]

I have been having my family doctor and physicians assistant manage my care.  I do have an appointment with an internist this week, just to get established as a patient.  My questions are:

(1) do I need internist as well as family doctor?
         And
(2) what exactly is the difference between the two? (I have only a general idea)

[MaryBee7]

In literature I've seen the general recommendations of a team including primary care, ophthalmology and rheumatology.  Internists are often PCPs for many people...though they are often used as consultants when PCPs need extra help with a diagnosis, which was what happened in my case.

[rnathans]

My possibly biased opinion is to go with an internist. Family docs spend 1/3 of their training in peds, 1/3 in obgyn and 1/3 adult medicine. Internists spend all their training in adult medicine. Anyone with medical issues is probably better served by an internist. Now obviously there may be exceptions-really bad internist or exceptionally well versed family doctor.

In any case I would not think you would generally see both. One primary care doctor is enough.

[gold55]

My family doc is an Internal Medicine Specialist.  I knew I had something brewing and I felt he would be better qualified to find it and diagnose it!  He sure did!