Quick Summary
Family medicine is a broad medical specialty that can include caring for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. However, every family medicine practice defines its own patient population. At Etheridge Family Medicine, we provide primary care for patients ages 12 and older. We do not care for infants or young children, but we help adolescents and adults with preventive care, sick visits, chronic disease management, and long-term health planning.
Family medicine is a broad medical specialty that may include care for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults, depending on the practice. Parents and families often ask whether family medicine includes pediatric care because many practices treat patients across multiple life stages.
At Etheridge Family Medicine, we provide primary care for patients ages 12 and older. Our focus is on helping adolescents, adults, and seniors stay healthy through preventive care, sick visits, chronic disease management, and long-term healthcare planning.
How Family Medicine Works at Etheridge Family Medicine
Family medicine doctors receive broad training across many stages of life. Each practice, however, determines the age groups it serves. At Etheridge Family Medicine, our care is focused on adolescents and adults ages 12 and older. This allows us to provide continuous primary care for adolescents and adults while building long-term relationships that support better health over time.
What Health Concerns Can Family Medicine Treat?
Many common health concerns can begin with a family medicine visit. Patients ages 12 and older may come to us for fever, cough, sore throat, allergies, stomach pain, rashes, changes in sleep, or other everyday illnesses.
These visits help us determine the appropriate course of care. Some concerns can be managed through primary care, while others may require testing, follow-up, or referral. Our goal is to help patients understand the next step without confusion or delay.
Why Families Still Choose One Medical Home
Although we do not provide care for infants or younger children, many families appreciate having a trusted physician for their adolescents and adult family members. Long-term relationships allow us to better understand each patient’s medical history, recognize changes earlier, and provide consistent preventive care.
Parents with teenagers often appreciate having one physician who can help manage annual physicals, common illnesses, sports participation evaluations, vaccinations, and the transition into adult healthcare.
Telehealth for Adolescents and Adults
Some health concerns can begin with a conversation before an office visit. Through telehealth appointments, patients can discuss certain symptoms, medication questions, test results, and follow-up concerns when virtual care is appropriate.
Telehealth does not replace hands-on care when a physical examination is necessary. It can still help patients determine whether an in-office visit is the next best step.
When Additional Care May Be Needed
Primary care addresses many routine medical concerns, but some conditions require specialized evaluation. We may recommend referral when symptoms become more complex or require advanced testing.
This may include:
- Ongoing breathing problems
- Persistent digestive concerns
- Long-term sleep disorders
- Complex chronic conditions
- Symptoms requiring specialty evaluation
At Etheridge Family Medicine, we help patients understand their options and coordinate referrals while remaining involved in their ongoing care.
A Practical Approach to Long-Term Healthcare
Family medicine offers comprehensive primary care, but every practice is unique. At Etheridge Family Medicine, we focus on caring for patients ages 12 and older, providing thoughtful healthcare that supports adolescents, adults, and seniors through every stage of life.
Whether you need preventive care, treatment for an illness, chronic disease management, or guidance about your health, our team is here to help.
To schedule an appointment or learn more about our services, Contact Us today.
FAQs
What ages does Etheridge Family Medicine treat?
Etheridge Family Medicine provides care for patients ages 12 and older. We do not treat infants or younger children.
Is family medicine the same as pediatrics?
No. Family medicine is a broad medical specialty that can serve patients across many life stages, while pediatrics focuses exclusively on infants, children, and teenagers. Individual family medicine practices may choose the age groups they serve.
Can my teenager see a family medicine doctor?
Yes. At Etheridge Family Medicine, we provide primary care for adolescents beginning at age 12, along with adults and seniors.
