A general practitioner is a doctor characterized by his lack of a specialty, instead treating a host of maladies and referring patients to specialists for further care. Internal medicine is a term for non-surgical medicine practiced by doctors, usually in hospitals.
History
General practitioners were common in America until the explosion of technology and knowledge in the mid-20th century caused a rapid specialization of the field. Internal medicine is a vibrant field of medicine dealing with a wide range of non-surgical illnesses in adults.
Significance
General practitioners were on the front lines of medical and family care in America for decades but were also paid less than specialists. The decline in GPs has caused concern among many in America. Internal medicine comprises countless diagnoses, illness management techniques and treatment of strange diseases. Most Americans have an internist as a doctor.
Function
GPs tend to be on the front lines of family care. Internists can specialize in everything from the skin to the gastrointestinal system.
Identification
If a doctor primarily sees families and specializes in general medicine, he may be a GP. Internists tend to specialize in areas like cardiology or medical oncology.
More Info
For more information, consult the International Society of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Family Medicine.
Tags: family care, front lines, General practitioners, General practitioners were, Internal medicine, practitioners were
