Internal Medicine vs. General Practitioner

With so many different medical specialties and the practitioners of those specialties going by different names, it's no surprise that people often get them confused. Confusing a Doctor of Internal Medicine and a General Practitioner is a common mistake. While the services provided by these two different doctors may overlap at times, they are actually quite different.

Internal medicine doctors, called internists, specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and illnesses in adults. They have taken additional training beyond medical school.

Some internists may have certification in a specialty. These specialties may focus on specific organ groups, conditions or areas in which conditions occur. Cardiologists, oncologists and sleep medicine doctors are just a few internal medicine doctors that have certification in a specialty. Certification in a specialty requires additional training beyond internal medicine.

While they may act as a primary care physician for their patients, doctors of internal medicine generally provide care for chronic rather than acute conditions.

General practitioners, on the other hand, typically provide medical care and education to all ages for diseases that affect any age. Unlike internists, their practice may include surgical, obstetric or pediatric care. They provide treatment for both acute and chronic conditions. General practitioners may diagnose more serious conditions, but will often refer patients to a specialist for ongoing care of that specific condition.

While general practitioners may act as physician for the entire family, they are not actually family medicine doctors. A doctor can begin working as a general practitioner straight out of medical school. To become a family practitioner, a residency is required to gain that certification.