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Family Doctor vs. Internist - Which is best for me?

Asked by livelaughlove21 (15724points) February 17th, 2013 from iPhone

I need to get established with a doctor I can see whenever I have an issue or just need a physical. I haven’t had a primary care doctor since I was seeing a pediatrician, and I’m now 23, so I need to change that.

We have a chain of family practices that are connected to our major hospital, but I feel like they see so many people that they couldn’t care less about individual patients. I want a doctor that knows his stuff and gives a crap about his patients.

It was recommended for me to see an internist instead. If I call an internal medicine office to establish myself with a primary care doctor, will they just tell me I need a family doctor, or do internists commonly serve as PCPs as well? I do t want to sound like an idiot when I call around tomorrow.

I’m a horrible hypochondriac and I constantly think I’m dying of cancer, so I want to pick the best kind of doctor to deal with my issues and refer me (possibly to mental health if I am deemed physically healthy) if need be. Which type of physician would be best for me?

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