What is the difference between Family Medicine and Internal Medicine?

At One Medical, most of our doctors specialize in either Family Medicine or Internal Medicine, and serve as primary care physicians.

Family Medicine doctors (a.k.a. Family Practitioners) are the most widely-skilled primary care doctors. They're trained to be able to help patients at every stage of life, from birth through childhood and adulthood, and onward to old age and death. At One Medical, our FPs see adolescent patients; generally age 14 and older.

Internal Medicine doctors (a.k.a. Internists) focus on adult and elderly patients. Their specialty training doesn't involve obstetrics, gynecology or pediatrics. Their training emphasizes the management of chronic, complex or severe illnesses, especially for patients who require hospitalization. Internists are most comfortable seeing patients age 18 and older.

Back to Help Topics