What’s the Difference Between a General Practitioner and a Family Physician?
If you are looking for a new doctor to care for you and/or your family, you may be confused by the differences between general practitioners and family physicians. While these professions do have some similarities (both are doctors who have medical degrees), there are some slight differences. The chart below will help you understand which type might be right for you.
General Practitioner/General Practice Doctor
Education
- Bachelor’s degree
- Medical degree
- Residency program (3 years)
- Certified by the American Board of General Practice
Services
- Provide medical care for a variety of age groups, but may not provide infant care
- Perform in-depth diagnostic tests
- Diagnose conditions
- Treat acute conditions
- Prescribe medications
- Provide immunizations
- Treat injuries and wounds
- May refer to specialists for advanced treatments
Family Physician/Family Practitioner
Education
- Bachelor’s degree
- Medical degree
- Residency program (3 years)
- May have extra expertise/training in pediatrics, gynecology and obstetrics
- Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine
Services
- Provide medical care for people of all ages and throughout different stages of life: from infants to seniors
- Focus on preventative care/medicine for physical and mental health
- Provide patient education about disease prevention and illness treatments
- Diagnose and manage chronic conditions
- Prescribe medications
- Provide immunizations
- Treat patients with chronic health issues
- May refer to specialists for advanced treatments
Family Doctors in Spartanburg
Westgate Family Physicians are a team of family doctors in Spartanburg, SC, that have provided faith-based family health care to people in our community since 1977. We truly enjoy the relationships we form with our patients. Many of our patients have stayed with our practice their entire lives – we’ve watched them grow and change while keeping them healthy throughout their lives. Our team is committed to diagnosing and treating as much as possible right in our office, but we will be quick to refer patients to specialists if advanced care is required.
If you are looking for a family physician in Spartanburg, schedule an appointment with us today so you can meet our team and decide if we are the right fit for you. Please call (864) 574-0070 or click here to make an appointment.