Family Medicine Doctors in Mississippi | Family Doctors

Family Medicine Overview

Hattiesburg Clinic’s family medicine physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants are committed to providing specialized care for both children and adults, emphasizing long-term relationships. Family physicians handle wellness visits, acute illnesses, chronic disease management, preventive screenings and vaccinations, and coordinate referrals.

Some patients like the convenience of having the whole family treated by the same doctor, while others may transition to family medicine after they “outgrow” the pediatric age group. Just like other primary care physicians (PCP), as family medicine physicians get to know their patients over time, it allows them to better personalize care to each patient. This lasting relationship also helps physicians identify any issues or warning signs early and monitor changes in a patient’s health over the years.

This ongoing connection supports preventive health care, meaning regular screenings, immunizations and guidance on nutrition and exercise. When it comes to your health, Hattiesburg Clinic is here to help. From treating complex conditions to preventing diseases before they start, we will help you find the right doctor for you and your family. Our family medicine providers are here to help coordinate your care.

Services Provided by Family Medicine Doctors

A family medicine doctor is typically the first person a patient talks to about a health question or concern. They coordinate routine care and urgent needs, help interpret results, and refer to specialists when appropriate. Primary care physicians develop long-term relationships with their patients, getting to know them, their history and their health care preferences. Because family medicine doctors practice comprehensive health care, they are trained in many areas and can address a wide variety of health concerns. Patients might ask their family doctor questions regarding:

Medical advice

Treatment of common illnesses

Preventative care (stopping illness before it happens), which includes screenings and vaccinations

Early detection of illnesses or conditions

Management of chronic or long-lasting conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes

Mental health concerns

Medication management

Questions regarding family medical history

A referral to a specialist

What should you discuss with your family medicine physician?

Prior to your appointment, make a list of questions or concerns that you would like to discuss with your doctor. A few examples of important topics to discuss are:

What wellness tests should I have done?

Can you help explain my test results and what they mean?

How does my family medical history affect my risk for certain conditions?

How can I eat a more nutritious diet? What is the best exercise plan for me?

I have a specific health concern. What precautions should I take? How worried should I be?

How often should I schedule an appointment?

What are the recommended preventive screenings for me?

What steps can I take to better manage my chronic condition?

What is the difference between chronic and acute medical conditions?

Acute illnesses are typically short-term health issues that develop suddenly and last only a few days or weeks. These conditions, such as the flu, strep throat or a sprained ankle, often come with noticeable symptoms and usually resolve with proper treatment or rest. Chronic conditions, on the other hand, develop gradually and persist over a long period of time often months, years or even a lifetime. Examples of chronic conditions can include high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis. Chronic conditions may require ongoing monitoring, lifestyle changes and long-term treatment plans to help manage symptoms and prevent complications.

Why should I see a family medicine doctor?

It is important to talk about preventive care with your family medicine physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant. A primary care physician serves as the key member of your overall health care team by providing routine and preventive screenings to prevent and monitor chronic conditions. A few examples of preventive screenings and care are immunizations, blood pressure screening, mental health assessments, diabetes screening and diet and exercise counseling. Your family medicine specialist can help you understand what screenings and preventative care are most appropriate for your age group and health history.

All Hattiesburg Clinic family medicine locations provide comprehensive evaluation and care to meet the total health needs of each family member. Family medicine doctors receive training in six broad areas of medicine: pediatrics, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, surgery and community medicine.

What is the difference between a family medicine doctor and an internal medicine doctor?

Primary care providers offer comprehensive care for individuals across all stages of life. Although primary care physicians share broad medical training, there are differences in focus and specialization. Our goal is to help you understand those differences so you can select the physician who best meets your needs.

For those wondering what family medicine is or how it compares to primary care, family medicine physicians offer comprehensive care for patients of all ages, from early childhood through adulthood. At Hattiesburg Clinic, our family medicine providers often care for multiple generations of their patient’s family. Family medicine clinics often care for patients throughout their lives, going the next step to building a trusting relationship with a patient’s entire family to care for them for multiple generations. Their broad medical training enables family medicine physicians to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions.

Internal medicine physicians, called internists, primarily care for adults. While some internal medicine doctors can also see children, internists specialize in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease in adult patients.

In short, family medicine and internal medicine are both primary care specialties, but they focus on different patient populations.

Choose Hattiesburg Clinic for Family Medicine

Hattiesburg Clinic’s family medicine doctors will care for you and your family like our own. Our team will manage your family’s health with convenient, local care that is focused on you, not just your symptoms. Hattiesburg Clinic’s family medicine providers are your health partners for everything from colds and flu to continued care for chronic conditions. If you are searching for a family medicine doctor near you, Hattiesburg Clinic offers convenient, collaborative care for your whole family in over 15 cities across Mississippi.