REFLECTIONS ON INTERNAL-MEDICINE AND FAMILY MEDICINE

The manner in which U.S. medical care is organized and paid for is rap idly changing. These political and financial changes have created an e nvironment that favors collaboration and cooperation among the primary care specialties. Although their relationship was once that of referr ing physician and consultant, the family physician and general interni st are becoming peers, and they increasingly have similar needs and in terests. Improving collaboration between the practitioners in these tw o fields requires a respect for important differences in their respect ive cultures. All family physicians work closely with internists durin g residency, but many general internists have had little or no experie nce working with family physicians. This essay reviews the practice st yle and philosophy of the family physician and suggests ways to improv e communication and collaboration between the two disciplines.