/assets/production/practices/393a5d123edebcc50b445178c4bf3c02d2f11b46/images/2663894.jpg)
Family medicine provides all of your basic health care needs, from physical exams and immunizations to sick visits and chronic disease management. At Riverside Primary Care Clinic in Riverside, California, board-certified family medicine physician Joanna Ayala, MD, Mayette Baylon Gonzalez, and the team offer family medicine to people 12 and older. Call Riverside Primary Care Clinic today to schedule an appointment or book your visit online.
Family Medicine Q&A
Is family medicine the same as internal medicine?
Family medicine and internal medicine are similar, but they aren’t the same thing.
Internal medicine provides health care to adults, while family medicine provides health care to people of all ages, including tweens and teens.
What services does family medicine include?
The Riverside Primary Care Clinic team offers various family medicine services, including:
Physical exams
A physical exam assesses your general health from head to toe. During an exam, your Riverside Primary Care Clinic provider checks your heartbeat and respiratory rate; measures and weighs you; gently palpates your abdomen to assess your internal organs; and orders lab work.
If needed, they can order additional testing, administer vaccines, or refill your prescription medication.
Sick visits
A sick visit provides diagnosis and treatment for acute illnesses, like strep throat, bronchitis, or COVID-19. During a sick visit, your provider completes a physical exam, orders lab testing, and makes treatment recommendations to help you feel better.
Urgent care
Urgent care provides prompt attention for minor illnesses and injuries, like the seasonal flu or a cut that needs stitches. The Riverside Primary Care Clinic team always makes time for same-day urgent care visits.
Chronic disease management
Chronic disease management treats long-term illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease. It incorporates regular checkups, lab testing, and prescription medication to reduce uncomfortable symptoms, prevent your condition from worsening, and help you feel your best.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations, or immunizations, train your immune system to defend itself against harmful invaders, like viruses and bacteria. Vaccines don’t provide perfect immunity, but staying current on your immunizations significantly reduces the risk of severe outcomes.
Medically supervised weight loss
Medically supervised weight loss uses a combination of healthy lifestyle changes, regular checkups, and prescription medication to help you shed pounds and keep them off. It’s safer and more effective than fad diets that promise instant results.
How often should I see a family medicine doctor?
The Riverside Primary Care Clinic team recommends scheduling a family medicine appointment for yourself and your children at least once a year, even if you feel healthy. Routine checkups can alert you to underlying health problems, educate you about healthy living, and reduce your risk of illness.
Call Riverside Primary Care Clinic today to schedule a family medicine appointment, or book your visit online.