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Family Medicine Q & A
What is family medicine?
Typically, family medicine is exactly what it implies. From pediatric care through geriatric care, family medicine treats both sexes through all stages of life. What sets family medicine apart is the long-lasting relationships that form between doctors and patients. Having close connections helps facilitate the maintenance of good health and makes it easier for doctors to spot problems in patients. Family doctors understand the history of each patient and have comprehensive records at their fingertips.
Ultimately, family medicine is the backbone to good health and can save a fair amount of time and expense because the doctors understand your complete health picture and can point you in the right direction when it comes to specialists.
What conditions do the family medicine physicians at Montes Medical Group treat?
Because of the huge scope of family medicine, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Generally, doctors who practice family medicine are primary care doctors and, as such, integrate biological, clinical, and behavioral sciences into their patient care mindset.
This three-pronged approach is important in evaluating a person’s overall health, which is why family doctors are better able to manage preventive care and chronic conditions, and to coordinate specialized care. While specialists concern themselves with a very specific symptom or illness, family doctors can monitor and treat the patient’s overall wellness, both physical and mental.
Some examples of the many conditions a family medicine doctor can monitor and manage include:
- Genetic issues
- Cancer
- Blood diseases
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Asthma
- Arthritis
How often should I see the family doctor?
The short answer is: As often as you need to. Usually, annual physical exams are more than sufficient in monitoring a person’s health and providing recommendations for on-going maintenance and preventive care. However, certain patients will warrant more frequent visits, such as:
- Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers
- Patients taking prescription medications
- Geriatric patients
- Patients with chronic conditions
Ultimately, the doctors at the Montes Medical Group will help guide you in the right direction when it comes to the frequency of visits.
