Legaspino, Caroline A.

LLB2

MISCELLANEOUS FILES:

The difference between family medicine and

internal medicine
“Primary care physicians fall into [one of two categories]: family medicine doctors
and internal medicine doctors,” explains Saju Mathew, M.D., a primary care
physician at Piedmont Physicians Group. “We’re all primary care physicians, but
the biggest difference is internal medicine doctors are like adult pediatricians.”

Here is a breakdown of which doctor sees which type of patient:

 A pediatrician cares for children.
 An internal medicine physician cares for adults.
 A family practitioner is a pediatrician and internist combined into one
specialty, and cares for both children and adults.
Source: https://www.piedmont.org/living-better/the-difference-between-family-medicine-and-internal-
medicine

Doctors of internal medicine, called internists focus on comprehensive adult medicine. While the name internal
medicine may lead one to believe that internists only treat internal problems, this is not the case. Doctors of
internal medicine treat the whole person, not just internal organs. They care for their patients for life, from late
teen years through old age.

For instance, an internist devotes three years of education to studying adult medicine, specifically learning how to
prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases that affect adults. Internists don't deliver babies, don't treat children, and
don't do surgery. We do however have wide-ranging knowledge of complex diseases that affect adults. Internists
are specifically trained not only to diagnose and treat disease, but to prevent the initial onset of these diseases by
recognizing and controlling risk factors such as elevated blood pressure and cholesterol. Internists are trained to
diagnose and treat chronic illness and specifically situations where several different illnesses may strike at the
same time.

Source: https://www.thedoctorsclinic.com/specialties/internal-medicine.aspx

How long does it take to complete the M.D. program in the

Philippines?

Generally, the M.D. program takes five years to complete. In schools that follow a trimestral
curriculum, the program may be completed in less than five years. The M.D. program includes
three years of academic and clinical study, one year of clinical clerkship and one year of post-
graduate internship.

3 to 6 months are usually spent in a comprehensive review program for the Philippine
Physician’s Licensure Examination. The program features classes and lectures from members of
the faculty as well as other medical practitioners. It doesn’t just end there; a residency will
follow as well as a post-grad study in your chosen specialization.

The residency period, in which you are trained in your specialized medical field, takes another 3-
6 years.
http://www.finduniversity.ph/majors/doctor-of-medicine-philippines/

Fellowship Training Program in

Infectious Diseases
Number of Days:
2 years

Target Professions
Internal Medicine Residents

Cost
None

Unit conducting the training

Medical Department

Email
ritm_medical@yahoo.com

Contact Number
(02) 807-2631/32/37 loc. 801; (02) 807-9603

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION ANNOUNCEMENTS

http://ritm.gov.ph/training/clinical-training/fellowship-training-program-in-infectious-diseases/