Today there exist several professions and work lines. Various people work in various fields. These fields hold several posts and designations. People who work in services like medical care, police departments etc., try and work hard to serve the nation. These departments hold several posts.
In the medical field alone, there are several types of posts and designations. There are various specializations in which doctors work. A hospital itself has several departments where doctors with different specializations work. Two of these types are 1. General Practice and 2. Internal Medicine.
General Practice vs Internal Medicine
The main difference between a general practice doctor and an internal medicine doctor is the type of disease or disorder that is treated by the respective doctors. A general practice doctor diagnoses and treats diseases and disorders that are at a minor level or whose severity is less. On the other hand, the internal medicine doctor diagnoses and treats diseases and disorders whose severity is more.
A doctor that provides the primary aid to prevent a certain disease from getting severe and treats the patient with acute disorders is known as a general practice doctor. Some certain disorders or diseases require immediate care and attention so that they don’t spread more in the body and their severity won’t increase. A general practice doctor helps in such times by prescribing medications and appropriate treatment.
A doctor that provides intense care and attention to the patient who is suffering from a serious internal disease or disorder is known as an internal medicine doctor. The disease or disorder that can not be cured by primary aid or medications requires attention from internal medicine doctors.
Comparison Table Between General Practice and Internal Medicine
| Parameters of Comparison | General Practice | Internal Medicine |
| Meaning/ Definition | A doctor that provides the primary aid to prevent a certain disease from getting severe and treats the patient with acute disorders is known as a general practice doctor. | A doctor that provides intense care and attention to the patient who is suffering from a serious internal disease or disorder is known as an internal medicine doctor. |
| Age groups | They can provide medical care to people of all the age groups. | They render medical care to adults. |
| Workplace | They usually work in outpatient method. | They usually work in hospitals. |
| Inception | 1960s | 1800s |
| Trained for | Preventive care | Comprehensive care |
What is General Practice?
A general practice doctor is a doctor who diagnoses and treats a patient with acute disorders. When a person has a certain disorder, the immediate care and attention that is supposed to be given are given by general practice doctors. The initial medications and treatment are also given by the general practice doctors.
The inception of general practitioners began in the late 1960s. It was a result of the General Practitioners Movement. The movement was regarding the growing level of specializations in the medical field and the threat to the relationship between a doctor and a patient.
Many Commonwealth nations address this post as a general practitioner. Some nations also address it as GP. The basic medical degree is different in different countries. Many countries offer the degree in a certain period. The structure of the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree is different in different countries.
The requirement of a general practice doctor differs from place to place. If a place is a rural area, then that place requires a general practice doctor. In metropolitan areas and cities, the need for a general practice doctor is less. However, a person must consult with a general practice doctor if he or she faces any disorder. They provide the primary aid for the respective disorder.
What is Internal Medicine?
A doctor that provides intense care and attention to the patient who is suffering from a serious internal disease or disorder is known as an internal medicine doctor. They mostly work in hospitals. In various Commonwealth nations, they are also addressed as internists and physicians.
The medical conditions that take place inside an adult’s body need to be treated with an analytical examination and other procedures. They require medical treatment and other aids to relieve a certain disorder. An internal medicine doctor provides the required medical care and attention in such cases.
The reason behind internal medicine doctors work mostly in hospitals is because the patients treated by internal medicine doctors require extensive care and attention, and they undergo complex investigations. Some several tests and procedures need to be run sometimes when the cases are critical.
An internal medicine doctor’s job is a complicated one. There are several specializations in the medical field. Internal medicine doctors treat a patient after they diagnose what happened to the patient, and treatment is given accordingly.
Main Differences Between General Practice and Internal Medicine
- A general practice doctor is also known as a “GP” or a general practitioner. On the other hand, an internal medicine doctor is also known as an internist or a physician.
- A general practice doctor requires less qualification. On the other hand, an internal medicine doctor requires more qualifications.
- A general practice doctor is specially trained for preventive care. On the other hand, an internal medicine doctor is specially trained for comprehensive care.
- The inception of general practice doctors took place in the late 1960s. On the other hand, the inception of internal medicine doctors took place in the 1800s.
- The general practice doctor can offer their medical care to patients of all age groups. On the other hand, internal medicine doctors can offer their medical care to adults.
Conclusion
Both general practice doctors and internal medicine doctors give the necessary medication and treatment to their patients. They make sure that the patient heals and recovers from the disorder that they are facing.
Doctors at whichever post or designation work hard to heal and protect patients from the agony they go through whenever they are facing a disease or disorder. They work day and night to make sure that patients get relief.
References
- https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/fbff/76fc3a5c46879f1fad6601c11087115648df.pdf
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/486642