Family Medicine physicians, or family practitioners, are primary care physicians who treat patients of all ages (hence the term “family medicine”) from pediatrics through geriatrics. Family practitioners help manage and diagnose a variety of common illnesses and conditions covering a broad spectrum of health issues. Upon examination of a patient, if more specialized treatment or surgery is necessary to treat a more serious illness, a family physician will then refer a patient to a physician specialist or surgeon to continue health treatment in a more in-depth nature.
Dr. Greenfield started practicing medicine in Pasco County at his Port Richey office back in 1999. He has established himself as a caring and competent health professional. He cares about making sure that his patients are informed and well managed in their overall health.
Who Choose a D.O. over a M.D.?
DO’s and MD’s are alike in many ways:
- Applicants to both DO. and M.D. colleges typically have a four-year undergraduate degree with an emphasis on science courses.
- Both DO’s and MD’s complete four years of basic medical education.
- family at a picnic
- After medical school, both DO’s and MD’s can choose to practice in a specialty area of medicine such as psychiatry, surgery, or obstetrics. They both complete a residency program, which takes typically two to six years of additional training.
- Both DO’s and MD’s must pass comparable state licensing examinations.
- DO’s and MD’s both practice in fully accredited and licensed hospitals and medical centers.
- DO’s comprise a separate, yet equal branch of American medical care. Together DO’s and MD’s enhance the state of health care available in America.
DO’s bring something extra to medicine:
- Osteopathic schools emphasize training students to be primary care physicians.
- DO’s practice a “whole person” approach to medicine. Instead of just treating specific symptoms or illnesses, they regard your body as an integrated who Osteopathic physicians focus on preventive healthcare.
- DO’s receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system – your body’s interconnected system of nerves, muscles and bones that make up two-thirds of its body mass. This training provides osteopathic physicians with a better understanding of the ways that an injury or illness in one part of your body can affect another. It gives DO’s a therapeutic and diagnostic advantage over those who do not receive additional specialized training.
- Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is incorporated in the training and practice of osteopathic physicians. OMT allows physicians to use their hands to diagnose injury and illness and to encourage your body’s natural tendency toward good health. By combining all other medical procedures with OMT, DO’s offer their patients the most comprehensive care available in medicine today.
