When choosing your primary care physician, you typically have two choices: a family medicine doctor or an internal medicine doctor also called an internist. Many people wonder whether there is a difference between the two professionals. And if there is, how do can you determine which type of doctor is best suited for you?

Internal Medicine vs. Family Medicine – The Origins

In this article, we take a detailed look at the type of medicine these professionals practice and what the origins of these practices are. This will give you more clarity and allow you to make a better-informed decision about which doctor you need to consult.

In the late 1900s, there was exponential growth in the scientific aspect of the medical field, and this is when internal medicine emerged. Scientific methods started to be applied to a range of adult diseases. It was also when the field of pediatrics emerged as a separate branch of medicine. During this time, internal medicine started to be recognized as a field that was specifically devoted to adult patients.

It was in the 1960s that family medicine gained recognition as the primary care movement. Slowly but steadily, medicine started to become more specialized which gave rise to the need for continuity of care. The focus was on ensuring that there would be stronger doctor-patient relationships. Family medicine became the branch that served the social units of entire families. This means, there was no segmentation of medical care by type of treatment, organ, age etc.

At first glance, most people feel there is no difference between the two fields. While it’s a fact that there is a certain amount of overlap between family practice and internal medicine, there are some distinct differences between them. Let’s take a look at what these are:

1. Patient Type

Family medicine is entirely focused on the treatment of patients of different ages including children and adults. Once you have identified a family physician you’d like to consult, he or she would be able to treat all your family members, regardless of their age.

Internal medicine is very different. This specialization is focused on the medical needs of adult patients only. Just as a pediatrician provides treatment only to kids, an internist will treat only adults. They will cater to the unique health risks and medical needs of patients, at every step of their adult years.

2. Training

A family medicine doctor will receive a very broad-based training in medical & health issues affecting patients of different ages. An internal medicine doctor gets all the basic education in general health & medical needs including preventive care. However as mentioned earlier, this training is entirely focused on adults.

An internist may also get training for a sub-specialty such as nephrology, rheumatology, infectious disease, immunology, geriatrics, etc. They have in-depth education and training not just in outpatient care but in inpatient treatment as well.

The Best Internal Medicine and Nephrology Clinic Las Vegas, NV

Dr. Dipti Shah at the Radar Medical Center is a leading internist in Las Vegas and a nephrologist as well. This means she treats illnesses such as sleep disorders, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, and depression. Her nephrology training allows her to treat patients with acute kidney failure, chronic kidney disease, kidney stones etc. Not only can she help in diagnosing and managing acute illnesses and a number of chronic conditions, but she also provides excellent preventive care.

Why Choose an Internist For Your Medical Care?

Adults can receive good health care from their family physician as well as from an internist. A family physician is generally trained to diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of medical and health issues for patients of all ages. Their job has a wider scope, and they are typically more comfortable caring for individuals of different ages & types of health problems.

However, since adulthood involves various health risks and unique medical needs, most adult patients prefer to consult internists. A Las Vegas internal medicine physician develops a much deeper training on a range of common adult health conditions. Their training is focused solely on adults; not just in the internal medicine subspecialties, but in general medicine as well.

This is how internists develop deep and comprehensive expertise. They also handle complex cases where a single patient may be suffering from multiple conditions. It’s a good idea to choose a skilled internist, as they are able to coordinate your overall medical and health care in a better way.

Choose the Best Las Vegas Internist

If you are looking for an internist who would be able to meet your medical needs for the long-term, you need an experienced and reputed medical professional like Dr. Shah. Not only is the doctor highly qualified, but also extremely well respected in her field. Radar Medical is a highly reputable Las Vegas center for internal medicine and nephrology.

Dr. Dipti Shah offers in-depth focus and treatment for different types of illnesses and diseases in adults. In addition, she provides comprehensive advice on lifestyle changes that can help improve patient health and their over wellbeing too. The center is equipped with cutting-edge technology that is used in the diagnoses of various diseases and medical conditions. You will find the staff to be professional, caring and friendly and the environs of the facility are hygienic and calming. This means you are assured of world-class medical care right here in Las Vegas.

Internist in Las Vegas, NV

If you live in Las Vegas or the surrounding areas, Radar Medical’s Dr. Dipti Shah is the one to come to for all your primary care needs. She can also treat and help manage chronic conditions including migraines, chronic pain, hypertension, and even high cholesterol levels.

The doctor is extremely patient, listens to what her patients have to say, and utilizes her deep knowledge for various diagnoses and treatments. For any more information about the best internal medicine Las Vegas services at Radar Medical feel free to call us at 702 644 0500 or get in touch through our Contact Us form.