Both internal medicine doctors and family practice doctors can help keep you healthy, but they treat different age groups and have different training. Internal medicine doctors only treat adults (18 and older), while family practice doctors treat people of all ages – from babies to seniors.
This guide will help you understand which type of doctor is right for you and your family. We’ll break down what each doctor does, who they treat, and how their training differs.
What Is an Internal Medicine Doctor?
Internal medicine doctors are also called internists. They focus only on adult patients and are experts in diagnosing and treating diseases that affect adults.
Who Internal Medicine Doctors Treat
Internal medicine doctors see patients from 18 years and older. They don’t treat children unless they have special training in both internal medicine and pediatrics.
About half of the country’s internal medicine residents choose to practice General Internal Medicine after they finish their training, according to the American College of Physicians.
What Internal Medicine Doctors Do
Internal medicine doctors provide many services:
- Give yearly checkups and physical exams
- Treat common adult illnesses like colds and infections
- Manage serious chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease
- Diagnose complex medical problems
- Prevent diseases before they start
- Work with specialists when needed
In internal medicine, we provide a wide scope of primary care, including preventive care as well as the treatment of complex adult diseases — like high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and high cholesterol, explains Dr. Karl Bernat Jr., an internal medicine doctor at Duke Primary Care.
Internal Medicine Training Requirements
Internal medicine doctors need extensive training:
- 4 years of college with pre-medical courses
- 4 years of medical school
- 3 years of internal medicine residency training
It typically takes 11 years of education and training after high school to become an internal medicine doctor in the United States, according to medical education experts.
During their training, internal medicine doctors complete a three-year residency after medical school. That entails serving in the hospital as staff physicians and in a clinic where we see outpatients. During that time, we train in critical care, so we have extensive training in caring for the sickest of the population.
What Is a Family Practice Doctor?
Family practice doctors (also called family medicine doctors) treat people of all ages. They can be your family’s only doctor, taking care of everyone from newborn babies to great-grandparents.
Who Family Practice Doctors Treat
As a family physician, I see newborn babies to patients in their 90s, says Dr. Madhavi G. Reddy, a family medicine doctor at Duke Primary Care.
Family doctors treat:
- Newborn babies (some start at birth, others at age 5-6)
- Children and teenagers
- Adults of all ages
- Senior citizens
What Family Practice Doctors Do
Family practice doctors offer comprehensive care:
- Well-child visits and immunizations
- School and sports physicals
- Annual adult physicals and preventive care
- Treatment for acute illnesses and injuries
- Chronic disease management like diabetes and high blood pressure
- Basic women’s health services
- Mental health support and counseling
Family doctors are involved in all kinds of care, from doing physicals to chronic disease management like diabetes or high blood pressure. If someone has a fever, stomach pain, or skin rash, I can help with that, too.
Family Practice Training Requirements
Family practice doctors also need extensive training:
- 4 years of college with pre-medical courses
- 4 years of medical school
- 3 years of family medicine residency training
It takes at least 10 years to become a family medicine doctor. This includes at least three years of undergraduate college courses, four years of medical school, and three years of family medicine residency.
There are more than 460 family medicine residencies in the United States, and family medicine residencies are designed to provide integrated experiences in ambulatory, community, and inpatient environments during three years of concentrated study and hands-on training.
Key Differences Between Internal Medicine and Family Practice
Age Groups They Treat
Internal Medicine:
- Adults only (18 years and older)
- Focus on adult diseases and conditions
- Deep expertise in complex adult health problems
Family Practice:
- All ages from birth to death
- Treat multiple family members
- Broad knowledge across all life stages
A general estimate is that a typical family medicine practice might see 10% to 15% children, meaning that 85% to 90% of patients will be adults, the same population seen by internal medicine physicians, reports the American College of Physicians.
Training Focus
Internal Medicine Training:
- Hospital-based medicine experience
- Critical care and intensive care training
- Adult subspecialties like cardiology and endocrinology
- Complex disease management
Family Practice Training:
- Pediatrics and child development
- Obstetrics and gynecology
- Surgery basics
- Behavioral health and counseling
- Community medicine
Typically, internists are required to spend at least one year in a hospital while family practice doctors are required to spend at least six months in hospital training.
Where They Work
Internal Medicine Doctors:
- Hospital settings (many work as hospitalists)
- Outpatient clinics
- Specialized adult care centers
Family Practice Doctors:
- Outpatient clinics and family practices
- Community health centers
- Rural and underserved areas
Family doctors almost always see you in an outpatient clinic or office, while internal medicine doctors may see you in an outpatient or inpatient setting.
When to Choose an Internal Medicine Doctor
You’re an Adult with Complex Health Issues
Internal medicine doctors are perfect if you:
- Have multiple chronic conditions
- Need specialized adult care
- Have complicated medical problems that are hard to diagnose
- Want a doctor with deep expertise in adult diseases
Internists serve as primary care doctors for people who need routine care, but we have the added advantage that we’ve been specially trained to help patients who have multiple medical problems or uncontrolled medical problems.
You Prefer Adult-Focused Care
Choose internal medicine if you:
- Don’t have children or don’t need pediatric care
- Want a doctor who specializes only in adult medicine
- Have serious conditions like heart disease or diabetes
- Need coordination with multiple specialists
You Have Diagnostic Challenges
Internal medicine doctors excel at solving medical mysteries. We also try to help people who have diagnostic dilemmas — for example, they may have multiple symptoms but are having trouble getting a diagnosis.
When to Choose a Family Practice Doctor
You Want One Doctor for Your Whole Family
Family practice is ideal if you:
- Have children of any age
- Want convenience of one doctor for everyone
- Like the idea of a doctor who knows your family history
- Prefer comprehensive care under one roof
You Value Long-Term Relationships
Because I get to know patients over a long time, I can focus on preventative care in a unique way. Our relationship means I know their history, explains Dr. Reddy.
Family doctors offer:
- Care from birth through old age
- Understanding of family health patterns
- Continuity across life stages
- Personal relationships that last decades
You Live in a Rural or Underserved Area
Family physicians provide most of the care for underserved rural and urban populations. They’re often the only primary care doctors available in smaller communities.
Common Services Both Doctors Provide
Both internal medicine and family practice doctors offer many of the same services for adults:
Preventive Care
- Annual physicals
- Health screenings and blood tests
- Immunizations and vaccines
- Cancer screenings
Chronic Disease Management
Acute Care
- Treatment for infections and illnesses
- Minor injuries and wounds
- Acute symptoms like fever and pain
- Urgent medical concerns
Coordination of Care
- Referrals to specialists when needed
- Managing care between different doctors
- Following up on specialist treatments
What About Training Quality?
Both types of doctors receive excellent training. The main difference is focus:
Internal Medicine Training Depth
- Deep focus on adult medicine
- Extensive hospital experience
- Advanced training in complex conditions
- Subspecialty rotations in adult specialties
Family Practice Training Breadth
- Broad training across all ages
- Experience in multiple specialties
- Community medicine focus
- Emphasis on whole-person care
Both family medicine and internal medicine physicians are required to complete a three-year residency program, so the length of training is the same.
Making Your Decision: Key Questions to Ask
About Your Health Needs
- Do you have complex chronic conditions?
- Are you generally healthy and need preventive care?
- Do you have children who need medical care?
- Do you prefer specialists or generalists?
About Your Preferences
- Do you want one doctor for your whole family?
- Are you comfortable seeing different doctors for different needs?
- Do you value long-term doctor relationships?
- Is convenience important to you?
About Your Location
- What doctors are available in your area?
- Does your insurance cover both types?
- How far are you willing to travel for care?
Common Myths Debunked
Myth: Internal Medicine Doctors Are “Better”
Truth: Both are equally qualified primary care doctors. Internal medicine doctors specialize in adult care, while family doctors have broader training.
Myth: Family Doctors Only Treat Minor Problems
Truth: Family doctors manage serious conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses just like internal medicine doctors.
Myth: You Need Kids to See a Family Doctor
Truth: Patients are sometimes confused by the word FAMILY because they think it means they need to have children in order to see that type of a primary care doctor, but that’s not the case.
Myth: Internal Medicine Doctors Don’t Do Preventive Care
Truth: Both types of doctors focus heavily on prevention and wellness care.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Internal Medicine Doctor Visit
- Detailed adult medical history
- Focus on current health problems
- Discussion of adult health risks
- Specialized adult care planning
Family Practice Doctor Visit
- Comprehensive health history
- Family medical history discussion
- Broad health assessment
- Life-stage appropriate care planning
Both will:
- Perform physical exam
- Order necessary tests
- Discuss treatment options
- Plan follow-up care
Special Considerations
For Young Adults (18-25)
Both types of doctors can serve you well. Consider:
- Family doctors if you want to stay with childhood doctor
- Internal medicine if you want adult-focused care
- Either option provides quality care for this age group
For Adults with Families
Family practice offers convenience of one doctor for everyone. Internal medicine works if adults prefer specialized care and have separate pediatrician for children.
For Seniors
Both are excellent choices. Consider:
- Internal medicine for complex health issues
- Family practice for comprehensive care including family coordination
Insurance and Cost Considerations
Most insurance plans cover both types of doctors equally. Check:
- Which doctors are in your network
- Copay differences (usually the same)
- Referral requirements
- Specialist access
Primary care visits are typically covered at high levels by most insurance plans.
Finding the Right Doctor
Research Options
- Check your insurance network
- Read online reviews and ratings
- Ask for referrals from friends and family
- Consider location and convenience
Questions to Ask Potential Doctors
- What’s your approach to preventive care?
- How do you handle after-hours concerns?
- What hospitals do you work with?
- How long are typical appointments?
- Do you work with other specialists?
Red Flags to Avoid
- Doctors who rush through appointments
- Poor communication or bedside manner
- Difficulty getting appointments
- Unresponsive to questions or concerns
Services Available at Yorktown Health
At Yorktown Health Vernon Hills, we provide comprehensive family medicine services for patients of all ages. Our services include:
- Well-child exams and pediatric care
- Adult annual physicals and preventive care
- Chronic disease management for conditions like diabetes and hypertension
- Women’s health services and gynecological care
- Adolescent care including sports physicals
We take care of your entire family’s health needs under one roof, providing the convenience and continuity that family medicine offers.
Current Healthcare Landscape
The demand for both internal medicine and family practice doctors is growing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for all doctors are expected to grow about 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, as fast as the average for all professions.
Factors driving this growth include:
- Aging population needing more healthcare
- Focus on preventive care
- Need for primary care coordination
- Shortage of primary care doctors in many areas
Final Thoughts
The choice between an internal medicine doctor and a family practice doctor depends on your specific needs and preferences. Both are excellent primary care options with high-quality training and expertise.
Choose internal medicine if you:
- Are an adult who wants specialized adult care
- Have complex chronic conditions
- Don’t need pediatric services
- Prefer doctors with deep adult medicine expertise
Choose family practice if you:
- Want one doctor for your whole family
- Value long-term relationships and continuity
- Prefer comprehensive care under one roof
- Live in a rural or underserved area
Remember, the most important factor is finding a doctor you trust and feel comfortable with. Both internal medicine and family practice doctors can provide excellent primary care and help you maintain good health throughout your life.
