Introduction

Internal medicine and family medicine are often confused with one another, but there are significant differences in how they compare. If you’re a premed or medical student looking to specialize in either primary care specialty, it’s important to know what differentiates internists from family practitioners. 

Internal medicine and family medicine serve different patient demographics. While they share some of the same training and education, they branch off into unique sub-specialties. Internal physicians and family practitioners also have specific job duties in different settings.

Internal Medicine vs Family Medicine: Patient Demographics

The main difference between internal medicine and family medicine is patient demographics. Internal physicians diagnose and treat illnesses exclusively in adults, whereas family physicians have a broader scope and treat the whole family unit, including both children and adults.

Patient care also differs between the two when it comes to setting. Many internists treat inpatients at hospitals, although they can work at clinics as well. Most family physicians work in outpatient settings. 

Internal Medicine vs Family Medicine: Training and Education

Internists and family physicians must complete medical school. After that, their postgraduate training and education differ. Both must complete residencies; however, the setting and scope of training diverge. 

Internal medicine residents treat hospitalized patients for three years during residency. Additionally, they receive training in emergency medicine, medical sub-specialty care, and critical care. 

Family medicine residents treat hospitalized patients for one year, but the remaining years are split between pediatrics, OB/GYN, and other outpatient disciplines. 

Generally, internal medicine residents have a more rigorous call schedule, although this isn’t true in every case. 

Internal Medicine vs Family Medicine: Job Duties

There are many job duties that internal medicine and family medicine share. For example, practitioners from both specialties conduct minor office procedures. This includes repairing lacerations, treating minor fractures, administering injections, draining abscesses, and conducting annual check-ups. 

Internists and family physicians also perform diagnostic procedures such as proctoscopy, minor gynecology, and sigmoidoscopy. 

The biggest difference in job duties is that internists diagnose and treat medical problems of greater complexity in adults, especially in hospitals. Internal physicians have a greater knowledge of inpatient care and procedures. 

Family practitioners focus on preventive medicine and wellness checks for the overall health of families, typically in an office setting. Family physicians have more experience in outpatient treatments and procedures.

Conclusion

To help you decide between pursuing internal medicine or family medicine, consider what patient populations and demographics you’d like to work with—adults only, or families with children. 

Think about the setting you’d like to work in, as well as the job duties you’d like to perform in either hospitals or offices. If you’re interested in inpatient procedures, internal medicine will provide plenty of opportunities. If you prefer outpatient treatments, then family medicine may be a better fit. 

Lastly, reflect on the type of medicine you’d like to practice. If you’re more interested in complex health conditions in adults, then becoming an internist is a great option. If you’d prefer to focus on preventive medicine and overall wellness, then family medicine is right for you.

About the Author

Inspira Advantage is a medical school admissions consulting firm with a team of physicians and former admissions committee members from top medical schools such as Perelman, NYU Grossman, and Johns Hopkins, among others. 

Last year, our team helped more than 50 candidates get an MCAT score of 520+ and over 45 candidates get acceptances at the top 5 medical schools in the US with average scholarships of $50,000.z

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July 27, 2021