A family physician is a general practitioner who can provide a range of services. A general internist is a primary care doctor who generally focuses on adults and children over age 18. A pediatrician specializes in treating infants, children and adolescents up to the age of 18 years old. An obstetrician-gynecologist works with pregnant women, women during childbirth and those with chronic health problems related to their reproductive system. Pediatric, specialists treat conditions affecting children, such as asthma or childhood diabetes. Medical subspecialists can be general practitioners or subspecialties within one of the fields above.
Family Physicians Can Prescribe Medication And Perform Surgery
Dr. Nihar Gala says that family doctors are the main doctors who can do anything from writing prescriptions to doing surgery. Family doctors can also choose to focus on a certain area of medicine, like pediatrics or care for older people. Family doctors can either be generalists or subspecialists in one of the above fields.
General Internists Focus On Adults And Children Over 18
A general internist is a primary care doctor who can do anything from prescribing medication to performing surgery. General internists generally focus on adults and children over age 18, but some also treat younger patients.
A pediatrician specializes in the health needs of infants, children, and adolescents -from birth through age 19. Pediatricians often work with other specialists such as surgeons or radiologists to provide complete care for kids with complex medical problems or serious illnesses like cancer or heart disease.
Pediatricians Specialize In The Care Of Infants, Children, And Adolescents
Pediatricians are experts in providing treatment for infants, kids, and teenagers. A board-certified physician with a pediatrics residency and additional training in pediatric medicine is referred to as a pediatrician.
Patients under the care of pediatricians range in age from infancy to age 21. Children’s growth and development, common childhood illnesses like colds or ear infections, chronic conditions like asthma, nutrition, preventive health care services like immunizations, mental health issues like ADHD or depression, injury prevention through car seats, booster seats, bike helmets, etc., and sports safety tips for kids’ various activities, including swimming pools & playgrounds, are all areas in which they specialize.
Obstetricians-Gynecologists Treat Pregnant Women, Mothers, And Women With Reproductive Health Issues
Obstetricians and gynecologists treat people who are expectant, giving birth, or have ongoing health issues with their reproductive system. Gynecological treatments like Pap smears and advice on contraception may also be offered by OB/GYNs. Some OB/GYNs operate on the female reproductive system, including myomectomy, uterine ablation, tubal ligations, and hysterectomies.
General Practitioners Or Subspecialists Can Be Medical Subspecialists
Medical subspecialists can be general practitioners or a subspecialty within one of the fields above. Subspecialties include:
- Pediatrics
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Family medicine, which focuses on all ages of patients with an emphasis on preventative care.
Dr. Nihar Gala says that medical specialties are further divided into sub-sub-specialties like pediatric cardiology, which focuses on heart problems in children, geriatrics, and neonatal intensive care medicine.
Basic Care Physicians Are Capable Of Performing Both Surgery And Prescription Writing
Ordering exams and writing prescriptions for drugs. diagnosing, treating, and assisting you in managing your chronic diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Conclusion
The cornerstone of American healthcare is the primary care practitioner. When you are ill, they are the first doctors you visit, and they assist with everything from scheduling your initial meeting with a specialist to writing prescriptions or carrying out surgery. Family practitioners, general internists, pediatricians, or any mix of these specialties can be primary care physicians.
