From Pediatrician to Family Practice Doctor – Choosing the Right Time to Make the Move
Pediatricians are children’s medicine specialists, treating kids at all stages of life, from newborns to adolescents. Your pediatrician may even develop into a trusted family friend, having helped your child through common childhood illnesses, injuries from school sports, and even the awkwardness of puberty. Parents tend to select their children’s pediatrician carefully, so it can be a bit nerve-wracking when you feel it may be time to move on to a primary care physician that treats older children and adults.
Are Family Doctors a Thing of the Past? 4 Benefits of Seeing a Family Doctor
While the days of house calls in horse-drawn carriages and baby deliveries by lamplight are gone, modern family doctors still offer some of the same traditional healthcare benefits, specifically, their ability to provide healthcare for the entire family – from children to seniors. It is not at all uncommon for a family physician to treat several generations of the same family, although they can also serve as a primary care physician for an individual. Whether you are single, a new couple or have a large family, a family doctor is there to safeguard the long-term health of you and your family as well as support your medical needs if any health issues arise. Although patients are not required to have a family medicine specialist who they regularly see, a family doctor can provide convenience and simply make it easier to stay healthy.
Here is a look at some specific benefits of seeing a family doctor:
1. Convenient Initial Point of Care
If you’re shopping for groceries, it can be inconvenient and time-consuming to visit half a dozen separate specialty stores, traveling to a produce market, butcher’s shop, bakery, etc. Why not just visit a supermarket instead? This same concept holds true for family medicine. A family doctor is your one-stop shop for general medical problems and health maintenance, typically including:
Well Woman Care: Family Practitioner or OB-GYN?
In many cases, both a family medical doctor and a gynecologist can provide the well woman care you need, including annual pelvic exams, breast examinations, Pap smears, and mammogram scheduling. With both healthcare providers available to you, how do you decide who to visit for your women’s health maintenance? We will examine this question in detail below and provide guidance.
How to Find a Connecticut Primary Care Physician That’s Right for You
If you’re new to the Connecticut area or have found yourself in need of a new primary care physician, finding the right healthcare provider can be confusing, difficult and even a daunting task. Your primary care physician (PCP) will be your principal healthcare provider for years to come so taking some time to evaluate the choices is worthwhile, although not always straightforward.
Internal Medicine vs Family Practice Specialists: Understanding the Differences…and which one is right for you?
When looking for a primary care physician (PCP), we are often asked about the difference between family practices and internal medicine physicians. As a patient, it is always important to know these distinctions as they can help you make the right decision for you and potentially your family’s care. While these disciplines have much in common, there is some crucial divergence when it comes to patient population, setting and scope of practice that can impact your provider selection.
