Choosing your primary care physician can sometimes boil down to a recommendation from a family member, friend or coworker, the doctor’s proximity to home or work, or his or her focus on a particular area of health. Fortunately, within the Steward Health Care system, there are many options for primary care medicine, including family medicine.
What Makes Family Medicine Different from Primary Care Medicine?
Family medicine is a dedicated medical specialty that requires three years of post-medical school training and prepares physicians to provide primary care services for the entire family, from pre-natal care to care for children, parents, and grandparents. Family medicine also includes broader training in areas such as obstetrics, gynecology, orthopaedics, surgery and psychiatry, which is not included in most of the other primary care specialties.
Family medicine physicians are accredited by the American Board of Family Medicine and can provide a full range of medical services, including:
- Annual physical exam and wellness checkup
- Minor procedures
- Cancer screening
- Family planning
- Pre-natal care for pregnant women
- Infant and child care, including school and sports physicals
- Concussion testing
In addition, family medicine physicians can oversee the management of chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, skin diseases, joint problems, obesity, asthma and respiratory conditions, depression, and women’s health issues.
To find a doctor or schedule an appointment, visit Steward DoctorFinder™ or call 1-800-488-5959.
