Which term describes an MD or DO who specializes in internal medicine, family practice, or pediatrics, rather than a specific disease or body system?

Which term describes an MD or DO who specializes in internal medicine, family practice, or pediatrics, rather than a specific disease or body system?

• A. Osteopath
• B. Generalist
• C. Physician Assistant
• D. Registered Nurse (RN)

Answer: (B)

A generalist is someone who provides broad, comprehensive medical care across multiple body systems and across all ages, rather than focusing on a single disease or organ. MDs or DOs who practice internal medicine, family medicine, or pediatrics embody this broad primary care approach because their work centers on overall health, preventive care, and coordinating care across different conditions and specialties. They treat a wide range of issues rather than a specific disease or a single body system, which is what distinguishes them from specialists.

Osteopath is a physician type who practices medicine with a holistic approach, but the term doesn’t inherently describe broad primary-care scope across ages and conditions. A Physician Assistant is not an MD or DO, and a Registered Nurse is a different profession altogether.