Because primary care is the first line of care and spans your entire life, there are different types of providers who offer primary care, including physicians, nurse practitioners and advanced practice registered nurses.
Primary care specialists are typically trained in internal medicine or family medicine and can specialize in treating adults, children or both. Pediatricians are providers who specialize in primary care for children. Since gender, age and health conditions can impact care, some patients consider their obstetricians, cardiologists or geriatric specialists to be their primary care providers.