Health is one of the most important aspects of a person’s life, therefore there is a need to determine disease prevention strategies himself or choose a specific type of disease prevention practitioner. Family Medicine and General Practice are two primary care specialisations that are very common among patients. However, we appreciate at Absolute Urgent Care that this can be quite daunting. In this article, we shall compare Family Medicine and General practice so that, at the end of it, you will be able to choose the right type of care for you and your family.
1. What is Family Medicine?
Family Medicine is a branch of medicine that aims at providing family-centered, rather than disease, care for all family members regardless of their age. A family physician, also known as a family medical doctor, is a type of doctor who, in addition to what other types of doctors do, is also competent to provide care for patients in all demographics due to their training and focus on disease prevention, assessment and management including both endemic and epidemic diseases.
– All encompassing scope of care: Family Medicine doctors are concerned with the general well-being of families. Their scope works towards promotion which contains check-up, vaccinations, management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, or satisfying, high blood pressure and other general well-being. They can also perform some minor procedures and treat acute illness.
– Favoring continuity of Care: Continuity of care is one of the fundamental features within the Family Medicine model. Family helps their patients develop a history since the Family doctors have been attending to them over the years.
– Health prevention: There is focus on the diseases and economies such as the enjoyment of health. Family Medicine specialists help their patients change over exercise for attention and reduction of chances of occurrence of the various medical complaints.
At Absolute Urgent Care, we provide Family Medicine services with a general and personalized approach focusing on you and your family as a unit.
2. What is General Practice?
General Practice is a classical model of primary health care which involves any disease that may be detected or treated medically. General practitioners (GP) are multidisciplinary in age like family medicine. It is similar to family medicine physicians, but the training of GPs and the practice islands may vary.
Comprehensive Care: General Practitioners have a range of services that include, management of general illnesses, small wounds treatment and wellness. They are generally the first contact and assume the role of assessment, making referrals whenever required.
Education and Limitations: GPs undergo extensive education and training, but it is likely that their training in some subjects is not as focused as that of Family Medicine doctors. Their area of practice is usually primary care limiting two or specialised treatment and management of chronic illness.
Doctor – Patient Relations: Similar to Family Medicine physicians, General Practitioners, also, make efforts to establish a rapport with their patients, even though doing this may be less intensive and less enduring.
At Absolute Urgent Care, our General Practice services are concentrated towards your present health problems and linking you with part of care on the further follow up.
Differences Between Family Medicine and General Practice
Family Medicine and general practice have a lot in common but there are important aspects to separate them:
Surgeons Education and Credentials: Family medicine specialists are trained in a specified area aimed at handling different health related issues and subsequently, become certified family medicine practitioners. A general practitioner could come from any medical discipline; some of whom are not family medicine board certified.
Family Medicine regards prevention and maintenance of health very important:-
Strategic healthcare planning: Family Medicine is well known for the preventive health and management of patients in the long run. A family physician assists patients by administering preventive care and controlling chronic disease over a slow period. Although General Practitioners can provide anticipatory care, usually their orientation is directed on the more short-term and less long practice.
In this regard Family Medicine reinforces a broader scope of practice than standard General Practice as Family Medicine physicians are taught for many more aspects of health, from paediatrics to gerontology all under one roof. General Practitioners provide patients with a reasonable amount of primary healthcare services but may not have the same level of training for certain aspects of care.
4. Who You Should Select As Your Provider
The preference of Family Medicine or General Practice is conditioned on various reasons:
– Health Requirements. Take note of your health needs and those of your family members. If you have conditions that require long-term treatment or you want a specialist who will attend all members regardless of age, a Family Medicine practitioner may be the appropriate provider. If you don’t have secondary conditions and you want primary care to be addressed as the most pressing matters, then the position of a General Practitioner would be appropriate.
Interpersonal Relationships: Keep in mind any concerns for continuity of care and the necessity for relationship with the health care provider. Family medicine specialists successfully incorporate longitudinal care of chronic disease and health promotion. They may undertake management of individual aspects of care or offer care on an episodic basis.
Availability of Referrals: If you expect to receive referrals for further specialist care or diagnostic services, verify whether the provider has a network of specialists and services. Thus, at Absolute Urgent Care, there are many other specialists that you can access to assist you.
5. Advantages of Choosing Absolute Urgent Care services
In addition to offering family medicine, the absolute532 urgent care staff also specialises in general and emergency practice services. This is the reason why you should trust us:
– Holistic Approach: Whatever health service you seek, whether family medicine or general practice, all your health needs will be met.
– Professional staff: The staff is well trained and it caters for all ranges of health problems including preventative healthcare.
– Easy Access to Services: Due to the location of the medical center and the extended working hours, you can avail of the services needed whenever you require them.
– Personalized Approach: We know our patients well, and really attend to their needs, helping them in all their dimensions and not only in the disease treatment.
The designation you choose , Family Medicine or General Practice is a crucial one, which will determine how healthy you are and the quality of care you will get. At Absolute Urgent Care, we understand that every family member deserves the information and support needed in whatever choice is made concerning them. Whichever the option- Family Medicine or General Practice, we are ready to provide you with extensive, loving, and individualised care you are after. For further information on how we can help you reach your health objectives or book an appointment, don’t hesitate to call us today.
