Primary care providers: Which specialty fits your needs?

Primary care providers are there to meet your everyday healthcare needs. But did you know there are different specialties in primary care?

Which type you choose depends on what you need most from your healthcare provider. Not sure? Here’s a guide to common primary care specialties at PeaceHealth.

When you research PCPs, you’ll want to see if the type of provider you want practices near you. You may also want to check with your insurance to see if there are types of specialists not listed here who could serve as your PCP.

Family medicine:
For anyone, from babies to grandparents 

Family medicine uses a whole-person approach to helping people of all ages, from birth to 100 or older.  

If you have a long-term condition that runs in your family, they can help you manage it. They can also help you find a specialist if you need one. 

You can see a family medicine provider for: 

• Diagnosing and treating allergies, viruses, infections and other concerns that can happen any time in your life. 
• Treating injuries.
• In-office procedures such as removal of warts or stitches to close a wound.
• Preventive care including vaccines, screenings and growth milestones for babies and children. 
• Mental health support or help finding a therapist.
• Referral to other specialists, when needed. 

You can find family medicine PCPs in every community PeaceHealth serves.

Family medicine with obstetrics:
For families and people planning a family

If you have a family or if you plan to have a baby, you might choose a family medicine PCP who has extra training in pregnancy and childbirth. This type of provider can help you before, during and after childbirth as you and your new baby grow. 

These providers also have experience in women’s health and do many procedures such as a colposcopy.

PeaceHealth offers family medicine with obstetrics in Vancouver and Longview, Washington.

Pediatrics:
For babies, children, and youth

Pediatrics focuses on care for  patients up to age 18.

Your child can see a pediatrician for:

• Diagnosing and treating medical concerns that are common in childhood.
• Treating injuries.
• Preventive care including vaccines, well-baby, and well-child checks.
• Concerns related to vision, hearing, speech, and other signs of development.
• Parenting support, especially for guidance on healthy eating, anxiety and other concerns.
• Referral to other specialists when needed.

You can find pediatric PCPs in most PeaceHealth communities.

Internal medicine:
For anyone 18 and older

Internal medicine uses a whole-person approach to helping adults manage their health as they age.   This type of provider is also known as an internist. 

You can see an internal medicine PCP for:

• Diagnosing and treating a wide range of concerns. This may also include gender-specific needs.
• Treating injuries.
• Preventive care including vaccines and screenings. 
• Mental health support or help finding a therapist. 
• Managing long-term or complex conditions such as arthritis, diabetes or heart disease.
• Referral to other specialists when needed.

You can find providers in this type of specialty in most PeaceHealth communities.

Geriatrics:
For anyone older than 65

A PCP in geriatric medicine helps adults older than 65 — especially those with complex healthcare needs.

Most 65+-year old people with generally good health can continue to see the PCP they’ve seen for years. Geriatric care works well for those with more than one serious condition or delicate health. 

You can see a geriatric medicine PCP for:

• Diagnosing and treating a wide range of concerns, especially those that come with age. 
• Treating injuries.
• Preventive care including vaccines and screenings, as needed.
• Managing chronic or complex conditions such as dementia or cancer.
• Support to help you maintain your independence as long as possible.
• Help with advance care planning and thinking about what kind of care you might prefer in different stages of health, aging or illness (what matters most to you in those different stages).
• Referral to other specialists, when needed.

You can find geriatric PCPs at PeaceHealth in Bellingham, Washington, and Springfield, Oregon.