By Dr. Elizabeth Cole
Gone are the days of picking up the phone book and choosing the doctor closest to your home or workplace. Today, people have access to more information about healthcare providers. We also have more options when it comes to choosing our primary care doctors. With all these choices, it can be difficult to know which physician is best for you and your family.
WHAT IS PRIMARY CARE?
Your primary care physician doesn’t just help when you are sick. He or she also helps keep you healthy the rest of the time. Primary care practitioners include internal medicine physicians, family medicine doctors and pediatricians.
Primary care services can include:
- Routine checkups, screenings and vaccinations
- Treating minor illnesses and injuries
- Prescribing medications
- Diagnosing and treating medical conditions
- Performing minor procedures
- Managing chronic illnesses
- Coordinating specialist care
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FAMILY MEDICINE, INTERNAL MEDICINE AND PEDIATRICS?
The main difference between primary care specialties is the age of the patients they treat. Pediatricians specialize in the care of newborns, infants, children and adolescents. Internal medicine practitioners only treat adults aged 18 years and older. Family medicine physicians treat patients of all ages.
Trained to manage the whole patient, family medicine physicians serve as your primary healthcare provider to diagnose, treat and follow up on a wide range of conditions. They even provide male- and female-specific services that you may think require a specialist. Some family medicine physicians provide care starting in infancy, so your whole family can see the same doctor.
Continuity of care throughout all life stages can make a big difference in health and wellbeing. This can be especially important for children who go through many physical, emotional and mental changes on their way to adulthood. Having a doctor who is familiar and trusted will help your whole family get the care and support they need.
Family medicine doctors may serve alongside nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses and other staff. Together, they provide team-based family care based on proven best practices. That’s what your family deserves.
Dr. Elizabeth Cole is a family medicine physician at Ochsner Health Center – Hancock. Reach her atl (601) 215-2383, or visit ochsner.org to learn more.