Who is a family physician?
Family physicians are healthcare specialists who provide medical care to all family members, children, adults, and older people. In addition, they counsel patients and conduct routine checkups, health-risk assessments, screening tests, and immunizations.
They are primary care providers with a broad knowledge of diagnosing, treating, and preventing illnesses that can affect anybody in the family. Because of their interaction with each family member, these doctors generally develop a personal patient-physician relationship with the entire family. Their long-term association with family members helps them better understand each person's medical history and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Family physicians do not focus on only one organ or illness but can also advise improving a person's overall health. Besides treating a range of conditions, they can help manage your physical, emotional, and mental health. They treat acute and chronic diseases and can provide routine care to patients with cancer, heart disease, asthma, stroke, hypertension, or diabetes.
Education and training of family physicians
Aspiring family physicians must complete their science graduation and enroll in medical school, where they receive extensive medical training. After this, they must complete a three-year residency and receive in-depth inpatient and outpatient training in treating different illnesses.
Family physicians receive training in internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, psychiatry and neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, and community medicine. They can then choose to specialize further by pursuing fellowships in faculty development, adolescent medicine, emergency medicine, etc., and get certified by clearing the American Board of Family Medicine examination. They must also be recertified every seven to ten years and complete at least 150 hours of continuing medical education every three years.
What is the difference between a family doctor and an internist?
An internist is a doctor who specializes in caring for adults. Unlike family medicine doctors who treat patients of all ages, internists focus solely on older teens and adults. They train to handle various health issues, from minor ailments like sprains to chronic conditions like diabetes. They'll refer you to a specialist if your condition requires specialized care.
Internists complete four years of medical school and three years of residency training, where they learn about various adult medical specialties like heart health and diabetes management. As an adult, you should see an internist whenever you need medical care. They can help with anything from a sinus infection to severe conditions like diabetes or heart disease. Essentially, they're your go-to doctor for most health concerns throughout your adult life.
Why should you have a family physician?
Family physicians are trained medical professionals, and there is certainly a lot to gain from a long-term association with a trusted family physician near you. Here are the top reasons why you should have a family physician.
- Guide you through the healthcare system
Family physicians are many families' first point of contact with the healthcare system. They can recommend the right specialists per your medical needs, help you navigate the complex healthcare system, and coordinate with various stakeholders to provide optimum care and treatment.
Family physicians do not just treat the ailment; they work to create a long-standing, trustworthy relationship with the patient. It helps them to emphasize providing personalized and integrated care over the entire life cycle of the patient.
- Treat various health issues
Family physicians are qualified to provide comprehensive care services to people of all ages and sexes. They train to prevent, diagnose, manage, and treat most medical conditions. Therefore, you can consult them for almost all of the health issues in the family. They will work with you to develop a holistic solution to all your health issues and help you stay healthy and positive.
Family physicians can effectively manage chronic illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and cancer. They help patients effectively manage the symptoms and help them lead a good quality of life with the condition.
- Handle preventive care needs
Preventive care is equally crucial in medical care. Family physicians can guide people on preventive best practices to avoid seasonal diseases like flu or infections. They ensure that families implement these practices. They can even provide personalized counseling to an individual family member and support adopting a healthy lifestyle.
Since family physicians work with the entire family, they know each member's medical history. It helps them create a customized care plan to suit the care needs of every family member. It ensures swift and effective treatment, resulting in quick patient recovery.
Family medicine subspecialties
Family medicine focuses on providing comprehensive care for patients of all ages, treating them as whole individuals. Moreover, within the broad scope of family medicine, doctors can specialize in specific areas while maintaining a holistic understanding of healthcare. Here are some key subspecialties that a family physician near you might offer:
Family physicians specializing in adolescent medicine focus on teenagers' unique physical, emotional, and social needs. They are skilled in diagnosing and treating health concerns specific to adolescents, offering guidance and care tailored to this transitional stage of life.
Geriatric medicine specialists care for older adults, addressing the different physical, psychological, and social aspects of aging. These physicians provide care in various settings, including clinics, nursing homes, and hospitals. They have expertise in managing conditions associated with aging and enhancing the quality of life for elderly patients.
- Hospice and palliative medicine
This subspecialty focuses on improving the quality of life for patients with serious, life-limiting illnesses. Hospice and palliative care specialists work with interdisciplinary teams to manage physical, emotional, social, and spiritual challenges, offering support to patients and their families during difficult times.
Family physicians specializing in pain medicine diagnose and treat acute and chronic pain, including pain related to cancer. These specialists collaborate with other healthcare practitioners to create complete pain management programs, ensuring patients receive appropriate and coordinated care.
Sleep medicine specialists address disorders that affect sleep and the wake-sleep cycle. They diagnose and manage conditions such as insomnia, sleep apnea, and restless legs syndrome. These physicians are also skilled in interpreting sleep studies and managing sleep labs.
Family physicians specializing in sports medicine prevent, diagnose, and treat injuries related to physical activity. They also manage medical conditions impacting athletic performance and overall physical health.
If you're seeking specialized care, consulting a family physician near you who offers expertise in one of these areas can help ensure your specific health needs are met.
What is the flu, and how do you treat it?
If you catch the flu, the first step is to manage your symptoms. These may include a sudden fever, chills, sore throat, cough, body aches, fatigue, and a stuffy nose. Over-the-counter medications can help reduce fever and ease headaches and body pains. Cough suppressants can also relieve coughing. Alongside medication, rest and fluids are essential to help your body recover.
It's best to isolate yourself in a designated "sick room" where you can rest without exposing family or roommates. Avoid going out, especially to work or school, as it may make you feel more unwell. Seek emergency care when you experience shortness of breath, chest pain, and if your fever returns after initially improving, as these could indicate serious complications like pneumonia. Also, seeing a doctor to rule out any complications is advisable.
By taking these precautions and seeking medical attention if needed, you can manage the flu effectively and reduce its impact on your health.
What to expect on a visit to a family physician?
During your first visit, the physician may ask about any symptoms you have been facing and whether you are taking any medication. Then, they will conduct a detailed physical examination to check for the causes of the symptoms, if you have any, and then discuss any concerns. They will guide you about lifestyle changes to maintain your health and may prescribe medication depending on your illness. They will also check your immunization records and prescribe or administer vaccinations.
How to find a family physician near you in Philadelphia, PA?
Family physicians are your immediate go-to doctors for any ailments you may have. They will either take care of you themselves or recommend you to other specialists as required. Therefore, finding the best family doctor you are comfortable with is essential.
You can easily find family physicians in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with Zocdoc from the comfort of your home. Just enter your ailment, symptoms, and location on our portal, and the search results will give you a list of family physicians matching your criteria. You can also sort results by the provider's location, hospital affiliation, gender, languages they speak, and insurance plans they accept. Each listed specialist has a unique profile with their educational background, clinical experience, awards, certifications, licenses, and accreditations. You may also access verified reviews and ratings from previous patients. This will help you make an informed decision.
When scheduling an appointment on Zocdoc, you'll typically be asked to provide your insurance details or confirm that you'll be paying out-of-pocket. Some healthcare providers require insurance information upfront to secure the appointment. However, if you prefer not to share your insurance or plan to pay without using it, you can find another provider on Zocdoc that accommodates your preference. For more queries, you can visit the Zocdoc patient help center page.
After picking the most qualified family doctor in your vicinity, you can directly book an in-person or virtual appointment via Zocdoc, depending on their availability.
Booking appointments with family physicians near you through Zocdoc is simple, cost-free, and safe.
Statistics on various diseases in Pennsylvania
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2021 reported that Pennsylvania had the second highest number of family physicians at 8,420, only second to California, with 14,230. These doctors can provide ongoing care for all problems, from arthritis and diabetes to obesity and cardiovascular diseases, and refer to a specialist only in severe cases.
According to America's Health Ratings, 11.4% of adults in Pennsylvania had a diabetes diagnosis in 2020, compared to 10.6% nationwide. Men (12.4%) had a higher incidence of diabetes than women (10.5%), which worsened as people aged. About 22.7% of people aged 65 and older had a diabetes diagnosis, while the incidence was lower for people between 45-64 (13.4%) and 18-44 (3.4%).
Additionally, it showed that obesity, which contributes to several diseases and ailments, was prevalent in 31.5% of individuals in Pennsylvania. About 32% of women and 30.9% of males in the state were obese. Additionally, the age group of 45 to 64 had the highest prevalence of obesity (37.1%). It was lower for those aged 65 and over (29.4%) and 18 to 44 (28.4%).
Compared to the U.S. average of 20%, the state's adult population had a diagnosis of arthritis in around 21.1% of cases in 2020. Additionally, compared to men (22.8%), women had a higher risk (34%) of receiving the diagnosis. Age-related increases in the prevalence of arthritis were seen, with 56.7% of people 65 and older having the condition. For those aged 45 to 64, the percentage was lower at 33.9%, while for those aged 18 to 44, it was 8.5%.
In Pennsylvania, 10.3% of people had cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which comprises strokes, heart attacks, myocardial infarction, angina, and coronary heart disease, compared to 8.1% nationwide. Men (11.3%) were more prone to these illnesses than women (9.4%). People above 65 were most affected (27%) compared to those aged 45 to 64 (9.1% ) and 18 to 44 (1.8%).
Sources
Family Care Network
Family Doctor
American Academy of Family Physicians
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
America’s Health Rankings[1]
America’s Health Rankings[2]
America’s Health Rankings[3]
America’s Health Rankings[4]
Revere Health
Healthline
Piedmont
Medical University of the Americas
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