Can someone tell me what's the difference between these Medical Specialties?

Naive · 18th May 2005, 8:15 PM

Okay I am choosing a primary doctor but I do not understand what is the difference between all the specialties. I called my Health Care Provider to ask which one is better and all the operator could tell me is, "it really depends on you which one is best" so I am left without a real answer

Which one do you think is better? General Practice, Family Practice, Internal Medicine, etc.

I am really lost!!! Can someone also tell me what's the difference between these Medical Specialties?

HoldOn · 18th May 2005, 8:26 PM

Always choose an internal medicine specialist, also called an internist. They have the most education and usually have another specialty as well. Also, check each doctor and see which school they went to.. Make sure it is not Med School of the Bahamas or something. Look for the better schools with recognizable names around the country.

Naive · 18th May 2005, 8:58 PM

Thanks so much HoldOn!!! I was actually thinking that an Internal Medicine Specialist was a bad idea because they dealth with only giving medicine out but I did some research and it's what I am going to go for. I think that a Family Practice is better once you have kids but for some reason it makes you feel like those clinics are more nice and warm to you

Stone · 18th May 2005, 9:54 PM

Health Care Providers can't legally refer anyone, they can only list practitioners in there network

alphamale · 18th May 2005, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HoldOn
Always choose an internal medicine specialist, also called an internist. They have the most education and usually have another specialty as well.

yes

Naive · 19th May 2005, 1:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stone
Health Care Providers can't legally refer anyone, they can only list practitioners in there network

What do you mean?

alphamale · 19th May 2005, 1:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ~Naive~
What do you mean?

it means that an HMO or PPO or some other company cannot refer you to one of their providers. you have to choose your own primary care DR and then that DR must refer you to other care givers withing the HMO or PPO.

Naive · 19th May 2005, 1:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by alphamale

it means that an HMO or PPO or some other company cannot refer you to one of their providers. you have to choose your own primary care DR and then that DR must refer you to other care givers withing the HMO or PPO.

Oh I know that!!!!