Family Medical Clinic in Rocky Mount, NC

Family medicinerefers to the branch of medical care focused on the treatment of all members of a family unit, or at least patients of all ages. Some families may choose to have all family members treated by the same doctor as their primary care physician, while other families may choose to have different doctors for each person, particularly if they have young children. A doctor that practices in family medicine is able to provide the same side range of medical care, focusing on the health and well-being of their patients.

Family medicine covers well-child visits, diagnosis and treatment for minor injuries and illnesses, preventative care and screenings, routine health exams and behavioral concerns, along with treatment and monitoring of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Many are also able to handle minor procedures and treatments such as allergy injections, immunizations, flu shots, IUD insertion and removal, biopsy of skin lesions, palliative care, obstetrics care, physical exams, and a wide range of services as needed based on their patient base.

Family medicine and primary care are often used interchangeably when referring to a doctor or practice that focuses on a wide scope of patient care. While a doctor practicing and focusing on family medicine is a primary care physician, the reverse is not always true. Some primary care physicians choose to work with patients of all ages and stages of life, therefore practicing in family medicine, while other physicians may choose to only take on adult patients.

Regardless of title and scope of practice, both family medicine and primary care doctors are educated and board-certified medical doctors, however, their area of specialization and additional education and training may vary slightly to reflect the medical care they want to provide their patients. A family doctor will spend some additional time in pediatric medicine to be able to provide comprehensive care to their smallest patients, while a primary care doctor who chooses not to treat kids can spend that time as an internist learning about more complex medical problems.

Doctors who practice in a clinic or setting focused on family medicine will see a wide range of patients. The term family medicine refers to the patient’s scope within the practice and means that all members of a family can be treated by the same doctor, regardless of their age. For this reason, doctors in family medicine clinics are able to provide patient care in the different branches of medicine such as pediatrics, men’s health, women’s health, obstetrics, geriatric care, and palliative care.

Doctors who practice family medicine are able to not only see patients on an as needed basis to diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries, but also to provide regular, preventative care and screenings, and help their patients to monitor chronic illnesses and conditions. They care not just about their patients’ physical health and well-being, but also their mental, emotional and spiritual health. Family doctors can work out of a clinic or medical center, and can also work out of nursing homes, hospitals and perform house calls or telemedicine visits to ensure their patients are always able to get the medical care they need.

Having a family doctor has many benefits to a person’s overall health and wellness. Receiving regular, ongoing medical consultations and care as needed ensures that people are not just getting treated for existing illnesses, injuries, and medical conditions, but also that they are being monitored and screened for early signs of potential problems. When caught in the early stages, many diseases, injuries, and conditions have a better chance of successful treatment, or prevention of advancing into more serious conditions that can greatly impact a person’s overall health. Family doctors work as the primary point person for all medical needs for their patients, providing them with preventative care, treatment for acute conditions as they happen, and being a point person for any necessary specialist care. Having your medical records noted and tracked through one main doctor ensures that there is less chance of medication or treatment conflicts and can also help to monitor for red flags in a person’s medical history that could point to an undiagnosed condition. If you or someone in your family is looking for a family doctor, reach out to the team at Rocky Mount Family Medical today. For more information, contact us or request an appointment! We are conveniently located at 804 English Road, Suite 100 Rocky Mount, NC 27804. We serve patients from Rocky Mount NC, Nashville NC, Westry NC, Dortches NC, Red Oak NC, and Sharpsburg NC.