Rather than concentrating solely on curing disease, today's primary care doctors motivate patients to schedule regular medical check-ups and to make lifestyle changes to prevent illness. Personal Physician and Resource Under managed care, primary care physicians serve as gatekeepers to medicine, helping patients access medical resources such as tests, specialists or surgical services. Their broad scope of medical knowledge equips them to diagnose and treat all but a small fraction of medical problems and to determine when a patient needs more complex care. Internal medicine doctors generally treat adults and have expertise in diseases of the major organ systems, including chronic problems such as hypertension, diabetes or lung disease. Family physicians provide general medical care, including pediatrics, gynecology and in office surgical procedures.
Pediatricians specialize in the health care of newborns to young adults.
Family practice, internal medicine and pediatric primary care physicians complete the same amount of postgraduate medical training as many specialists, focusing on general primary care rather than a single medical specialty. If you need specialized care for a complex medical problem, your primary physician is in the best position to make the appropriate referrals for diagnostic exams or to see a medical specialist. Your primary doctor will continue to follow your progress and coordinate services when more than one specialist is involved in your treatment. Your health is an important asset and should be managed with the same care and attention that you expect from your financial advisor. As an independent practice association, the GNP medical group contracts with most HMOs to ensure you and your family can continue receiving traditional, high-quality medical care from physicians in your own community.