Doctor Question

[Dave N]

What is the difference between a general practitioner (or a family doc) and a doctor of internal medicine?

I have an unresolved medial problem that my family doctor just can't get a grip on, and I was thinking about seeing a doctor of internal medicine as the next step.

[J.J.]

The internal medical docs. are specifically trained to treat adults. Most have specialty training in some "system" of medicine (e.g, nephrology, gastroenterology, etc.). A family doc is a genral practioner that is not trained to deal with "bigger" issues. They are trained to recognize problems that may need more in depth study by someone trained in the problem area.

In the era of "medical litigation" family practioners are becoming more and more anxious about treating everything that walks in the door. They have to practice safe medicine and that usually requires referral, which end-up costing you, the patient, more money, and the system in general, more burden.

If your family doc. is unable to "get a grip" on your problem, he should be the first to recommend you see someone else with qualifications in the problem area. It should not be up to you to recommend this. Let me know if you need anymore information.

JJ

[Dave N]

Thanks for the information -- that helps me out a lot. Doctor of internal medicine sounds like exactly what I want.