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Who is a family physician?

Typically, every person requires an initial point of contact for their holistic medical needs, be it symptoms of flu, COVID-19, or an unexpected rash. In most of these situations, except for emergencies, one can rely on a family physician.

A family physician is a doctor or primary care provider who caters to the entire family's fundamental medical concerns. To become one, doctors must receive their medical degree and clear either the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United States or the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). 

Subsequently, they must pursue a three-year residency, where they learn about pediatrics, obstetrics, emergency medicine, inpatient hospital care, and general surgery. Once the training is completed, they are certified by either the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians (AOBFP) or the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM). The licensing certifications may differ from state to state. 

Family physicians generally have private clinics. They also work with a team of family physicians or in community clinics or hospitals. Many help the community by providing services in areas with underprivileged patients where basic medical facilities are hard to access.

What does a family physician do?

Family physicians can treat you or any member of your family for symptoms of a common cold, minor injuries, skin rashes, or even a stomach ache. They help manage chronic diseases like diabetes or blood pressure by constantly monitoring the progress and advising changes in treatment if required. These doctors also recommend diet and exercise changes and help patients quit smoking or chewing tobacco and other habits.

They are the first to detect any significant change in health or any severe illness that may threaten the well-being of their patients. They will also keep track of your vaccinations and test reports and remind you about regular checkups. 

Another vital role that family physicians take up is screening for cancers. These specialists can assess the risk of future inherited cancer by looking at your family history and advise screening tests. Early detection of any cancer can significantly prolong the life expectancy in patients or even help ultimately eradicate cancer in some situations. 

What is the difference between an internist and a family physician?

Both internists and family physicians have training in several subspecialties. Knowing the difference between the two healthcare professionals can help determine which doctor is right for you.

Internists or doctors of internal medicine primarily focus on treating adults. Some may have acquired dual training in internal medicine and pediatrics and can thus treat children. These doctors are trained to offer care for a wide variety of conditions.

Family physicians attend to people of all ages as they are trained in pediatrics, adolescent medicine, adult medicine, and geriatrics. They can provide their services to patients throughout their lives. They treat a broad range of diseases and conditions. With added fellowship training, some family physicians may also incorporate specialties such as sports medicine or obstetrics into their practice. 

Although the two overlap in some areas, the difference is that internists focus on adults, while family physicians see patients of all ages. An advantage of seeing a family physician is that the entire family can see the same doctor from childhood through adulthood, and one doctor has the whole family's medical history. Ultimately, choosing a doctor you feel most comfortable with is advisable.

Reasons to visit a family physician near you

Engaging with a family practice doctor offers a range of advantages, making it a comprehensive healthcare choice for individuals and families alike.

Chronic disease management

Family physicians play a crucial role in effectively managing chronic diseases. Whether it's diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart conditions, high cholesterol, arthritis, skin problems, or respiratory issues like asthma and COPD, these professionals are adept at both treatment and monitoring. They can prescribe and refill medications, often collaborating seamlessly with specialists to ensure comprehensive care for patients with chronic conditions.

Referrals to medical specialists

When faced with a health concern requiring specialized attention, beginning the journey with a family medicine doctor is wise. They can recommend qualified specialists based on your specific needs. Collaboration between the family doctor and specialists ensures a cohesive approach to treatment, including synchronized prescriptions and ongoing monitoring. In some cases, insurance policies mandate obtaining a referral from a family physician or internist for coverage of specialized services.

Care for illness or injury

Family medicine doctors prove invaluable when addressing common illnesses or injuries within the family. From managing simple fractures, sprains, and flu symptoms to handling pneumonia, bronchitis, stomach viruses, seasonal allergies, and ear infections, these professionals can provide independent and effective treatment, eliminating the immediate need for specialist intervention.

Routine exams

In addition to addressing specific health concerns, family medicine doctors excel at conducting routine exams essential for preventive healthcare. It encompasses annual physicals, well-child checkups, newborn examinations, sports physicals, men's health screenings (including prostate exams), and women's health screenings (such as annual pap smears).

Choosing a family practice doctor ensures access to comprehensive healthcare services, combining expertise in chronic disease management, referrals to specialists, immediate care for common illnesses or injuries, and routine examinations for proactive health maintenance. This holistic approach makes family medicine a valuable and convenient healthcare solution for individuals and families seeking quality medical care.

What can you expect from your family physician?

When you visit a family physician, they will inquire about your current problem or symptoms. For example, if you have a stomach ache or a sudden rash, they will focus on identifying any recent dietary modifications. If the direct cause of the disease is doubtful, they will advise you to get some tests done, which will further clarify and aid in diagnosis. 

After collecting your brief medical history, the physician will do a general physical examination. They check your vitals, including your pulse, blood pressure, and body temperature. They can also conduct prostate and colorectal investigations.

When family physicians treat you for years, they learn your medical history and follow your life cycle; this helps them make accurate diagnoses, watch out for risk factors, and monitor changes in health over the years. Sometimes, a family physician sees multiple generations of a family, which helps them record in-depth family health history. They may recommend screening tests if they know you or a family member may be at risk of developing any health conditions.

More than yearly checkups and flu medications, family physicians help manage chronic conditions such as diabetes and arthritis. They may also provide their services for pregnancy cases. Some family physicians may perform minor surgical procedures such as draining an abscess or freezing a wart. They can also make referrals to a specialist who fits your needs and preferences when necessary.

How to find a good family physician in Tampa, FL?

You should see a family physician near you if you have noticed cold and cough symptoms or have suffered an injury. They will help you get the quickest medical aid or refer you to a specialist. While finding a proficient family physician can be difficult, you can do this easily using Zocdoc. 

Once you enter your symptoms and location, for example, "body ache" and "Tampa," Zocdoc will show you a list of top family physicians in Tampa, Florida. 

Each family physician will have a profile with all the required details, including credentials, certificates, accreditation, affiliations, honors, and regularly vetted patient testimonials. You can also check the languages they speak and whether they treat children or not.

A list of insurance companies the family physician near you accepts for consultations and treatment is also available on Zocdoc. Selecting your preferred carrier from a straightforward drop-down menu lets you check to see if your family physician is in that network.

On Zocdoc, all bookings are quick, secure, and free!

Statistics for family physicians and influenza in Tampa, Florida

Tampa is a city in Florida that comes under Hillsborough County. As per the Florida Department of Health, in 2021-22, the rate of licensed family physicians per 100,000 people in Hillsborough County was about 18.2 compared to Florida, which was around 18.8. The report also stated that during this period, 4,204 family physicians were legally practicing in Florida, of which 278 were in Hillsborough County.

According to the Influenza/Pneumonia mortality report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2021, 2,845 people died in Florida due to influenza. The report also stated that the mortality rate in the state was 8.8 for every 100,000 population.

Sources

Tufts Medical Center Community Care

American Academy of Family Physicians

WebMD

Cleveland Clinic

Beaumont

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Florida Department of Health

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.