Question Re Doctors
 

Would someone please explain to me the difference between an Internist and a General Practitioner or Family Medicine? It seems most of my life I have seen Internists. I am thinking of changing doctors and the one recommended is listed under Family Practice. Thanks for any input.

Family practitioners generally have broader training than general practitioners. Since general practitioners have been replaced by family practitioners, the term general practitioner is not used much anymore. Unlike family practice, training opportunities in general practice after graduation from medical school became limited and there was no way to become board certified in general practice like there is in family practice. Internists (doctors who practice internal medicine) are experts in adult health and are specially trained to deal with a wide range of adult health needs. Family practitioners are trained to deal with the health care needs of adults and children over 18.

Internists may also be Fellow trained in subspecialities such as; gastroenterology, cardiology, oncology, endocrinology, rheumatilogy, nephrology, well you get my point.

Question about Internists
 

I noticed an ad in the paper today about Premier Medical Associates - They have offices in Sumter Landing and Santa Barbara Blvd. with four internists.
Has any of you been there? Would appreciate info.

Thanks for the clarification. I always wondered about the difference.

So the way I understand it...
You go to a Family Practice doctor to find out what's wrong with you. Once you know what's wrong, you go to an internist? Is that right?

Premier Medical
 

We both go to doctors at Premier and have no complaints. They are attentive and responsive. Not common traits in the villages from what our friends tell us and we get there by cart. They have an office on Old Camp Road and a new center near the TV hospital. Give them a try.

I have been seeing Dr. Abrantes for a couple of years and I really like her.

In my experience, it really doesn't matter whether I start with a family practice or an internist. If there is a hint of anything to look at, you are referred to a specialist. Even from there, with orthopedics as an example; if you have shoulder and knee problems, you'll probably end up seeing at least two for actual treatment. I find that tiresome, especially since moving to this area where I don't know any drs. and have to "find" every specialist, one at a time. I chalk it up to living the last 33 years in a relatively small town, where I know almost all the physicians or at least someone who did and could usually been seen while still exhibiting the symtoms.