Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine – What’s the Difference?

Finding the right primary care provider is an important decision for your health and your family’s well-being. Primary care doctors help with routine checkups, preventive care, and treatment of common illnesses. But not all primary care doctors specialize in the same areas, including family medicine. Here’s a quick guide to the main types of primary care physicians for adults and children:

Pediatrics

Pediatricians specialize in the care of infants, children, and adolescents—from birth through the teenage years. They manage physical, behavioral, and developmental issues unique to younger patients. Pediatricians typically do not see adult patients.

Best for: Babies, children, and teens

Internal Medicine

Internists are doctors who specialize in the care of adults, typically age 18 and older. They focus on the prevention, diagnosis, and management of diseases affecting adults, including chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Best for: Adults who want a doctor focused on adult-specific health concerns

Family Medicine

Family medicine doctors provide care for patients of all ages—children, adults, and seniors. They can treat a wide range of health conditions and often care for entire families, making them a convenient choice for households looking to have a single provider.

Best for: Individuals or families who want one doctor for all ages

Combined Internal Medicine-Pediatrics (Med-Peds)

Internal Medicine-Pediatrics (Med-Peds) doctors like Dr. Brewer also can offer the whole family care in a Family Medicine model, by combining the best of both worlds with full training in pediatrics and internal medicine. Med-Peds doctors complete a double residency with one extra year as compared to most Family Medicine programs, and are fully trained in both internal medicine and pediatrics. Thus, they can provide comprehensive care across the lifespan—from newborns to older adults, including for individuals with rare conditions or chronic conditions that begin in childhood and continue into adulthood.

Best for: Individuals or families who want one doctor for all ages

Care for the whole family is provided by dual-trained doctors like Dr. Brewer (Med-Peds) or by Family Medicine doctors.

How to Choose – Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine or Med-Peds?
Your choice may depend on your age, your family’s needs, or specific health concerns. If you have children, a pediatrician, Med-Peds or family doctor may be the right fit. If you’re an adult managing a chronic condition, you might consider an internist or Med-Peds physician. For whole-family care in one office, family medicine or Med-Peds offers a convenient solution.