Family Practice Family practice physicians provide continuing comprehensive primary care to the whole family. As a specialty, it is broad in scope and integrates the biological, clinical and behavioral sciences. Family practice physicians evaluate the total healthcare needs of their patients and maintain continuity of care. They diagnose and treat diseases and injuries of the internal organ systems. An internist is trained to diagnose and treat complex illnesses, as well as manage the prevention of illness.
Many internists specialize in the health care needs of the elderly.
Physicians who specialize in internal medicine and pediatrics have completed a combined residency program in internal medicine and pediatrics. They are able to care for the complex medical problems of adults and children. Obstetricians care for the woman before, during and after a pregnancy. Gynecologists deal with disorders and diseases of the female reproductive tract. Obstetrics and Gynecology encompasses a number of subspecialties as well, including Gynecologic Oncology, Maternal Fetal Medicine, and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.