Internal medicine is area of treatment that focuses on general and long-term care for patients with illnesses and diseases. While most people associate internal medicine doctors with adults, there is also a special section of this field that is designated to the treatment of children. Medpeds is the term used to describe these physicians, which is a combination of internal medicine and pediatric treatment. As a parent, you are probably wondering what types of situations would warrant a visit to a medped for your child, or whether this is a person that should be part of your child's health plan. Here is a look at a few things you should know about medpeds. 

What kind of training and education do medpeds have? 

Doctors who choose to become medpeds actually spend part of their time in school learning about internal medicine and part of their time devoted to pediatrics, so they get the insight necessary for both fields. This unique route of education and training qualifies these caregivers to provide treatment to patients of all ages. Because of this, it is not uncommon to visit a medped and find patients there from every age group. While most medpeds can treat children, not all of them solely treat children in their practice. 

What kinds of treatment can you get for your child with a medped?

Internal medicine doctors are known to provide a wide range of treatment for their patients, from general wellness checkups and immunizations to treatment for debilitating disease. Therefore, you don't necessarily have to visit a medped for a specific reason. However, medpeds are physicians a general physician or pediatrician can refer a patient to, if they need more focused care because of a specific illness or disease. So, it is not uncommon to be referred to these practitioners for certain aspects of care. 

What differences can you expect with a medped during a wellness checkup for your child?

If you choose, on your own, to take your child to a medped for a wellness checkup, you may have a slightly different experience than with your usual pediatrician. The doctor will spend more time focusing on medical history, family history of diseases, and running appropriate tests to check your child's well-being, such as blood tests or blood analysis. The doctor will also discuss with you plans of action to ward off possibilities of future health concerns your child may face because of genetics.