In a world in which primary care physicians are often seen as nothing more than the gatekeepers of specialists through which the general population must pass in order to see the "real" doctor, Andy Fine, MD, holds a spot that many misunderstand: that of the primary care internal medicine practitioner. Also known as an "internist" or a "doctor of internal medicine," the rather bland name covers a multitude of knowledge and practice that provides a rich resource for adults who need a bit more than the average GP can provide.

"Many people do not realize that general practitioners are not the only doctors they can see without a referral," says Dr. Fine, who has practiced internal medicine in the Littleton, Colorado, area for many years with the help of his dedicated and professional staff. "Primary care means that we are the first line of defense for patients. You can schedule your own appointment and I can see you without any type of referral, even if you have a relatively serious health issue."

The term "primary care" is often misused by both patients and doctors as a synonymous term for "general practitioner." However, there is a difference, as Dr. Fine points out.

"A GP or general practitioner is, in fact, a general practice doctor. That means that he or she does a little of everything. A GP may see children and adults, deliver babies, perform minor surgery or diagnose and treat illnesses. Most doctors in so-called 'family practice' are GPs." However, Dr. Fine clarifies that GPs and primary care doctors are not the same. "A primary care internist is a doctor who has chosen to focus his or her practice on a limited number of patient types and conditions. This means that we must have specialized training during our internship and residency that allows us to diagnose very complex cases. In fact, we are often called in by other doctors to help diagnose complicated cases."

Internal medicine is defined as a specialty in the medical field that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of non-surgical conditions in adults. Some internists specialize in the study of the kidneys, allergies or immune system, but many work with patients with a wide range of conditions. Many adults choose internists as their primary care doctors because they already know that they need more advanced and specialized care than a GP is able to provide.

"While it is true that a GP can diagnose illnesses and treat them, many adults prefer to use an internist who limits the number and type of patients he or she sees. By specializing in this area, internal medicine doctors are able to deliver a very high quality of care to their patients and, over time, build a strong relationship with them," says Dr. Fine.

Dr. Fine and his staff use a wide variety of diagnostic tools and treatment methods to diagnose and treat patients. "I like to view the patient's health as a whole rather than focus on one particular condition or illness," notes Dr. Fine. "This is one reason why it is so important for the doctor and patient to build a strong relationship that stretches over time. When I see the same person more than once and begin to build a case history, I begin to see how things connect and relate to each other. This enables me to provide better treatment for my patients and, in some cases, allows me to diagnose particularly stubborn illnesses or symptoms that seem to have no connection to a patient's overall health."

Dr. Fine has words of advice to any adult seeking a primary care physician. "Rather than simply thinking of a doctor as a treatment provider for a specific, one-time illness like the flu, or even a specialist treating you for cancer, think of your doctor as a professional with whom you are going to build a life-long relationship. Would you continue to use a doctor who did not meet your needs? If not, then choose one who wants to get to know you as a person and build a quality relationship with you based on mutual trust and respect. An internist is often a good choice for that type of doctor, particularly before you develop serious health issues that may require long-term treatment." By building a trusting and professional relationship before being diagnosed with any major illness, patients are often able to get better treatment and are less stressed than if they are suddenly forced to see a new doctor.

However, Dr. Fine does point out that some treatments are beyond the scope of a primary care internal medicine physician. "We do not do surgery, for example, so it is important that, in addition to the relationship we develop with our patients, we develop strong bonds with the specialists with whom we work. We want to be able to refer you to a specialist when it becomes necessary then work with that doctor to ensure that your care is the best it can be. I often work in conjunction with other doctors to make sure that my patients have the very best treatments available, and I often make referrals to doctors whom I know and trust in order to have them offer my patients the care that I cannot provide myself."

Dr. Fine and his staff work diligently to provide patients with the care they need for all their medical conditions. For more information on Andy Fine, MD, and his practice, see http://www.ucomparehealthcare.com/drs/andy_fine/ , http://doctor.webmd.com/doctor/andy-fine-md-c707ee95-578f-4090-a432-a14292ebedce-overview and https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewfine or https://www.linkedin.com/pub/dir/Andy/Fine

About Andy Fine, MD:

Andy Fine, MD, practices primary care internal medicine in the Littleton, Colorado area. For more than 15 years, Dr. Fine and his staff have been delivering quality care to the residents of this area, particularly adults with complex medical issues. Dr. Fine accepts most insurance and takes new patients on a regular basis.

For More Information:
Andy Fine, MD
7720 S. Broadway, Suite 590
Littleton, CO 80122
(303) 586-3825
[email protected]
http://www.andyfinemd.us