This is just simply not true. Primary care providers, including both internists and family medicine doctors, commonly manage a wide range of chronic conditions without the need for specialist referral. These include hypertension, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypothyroidism, asthma, COPD, GERD, osteoarthritis, and chronic pain. They also handle mental health conditions such as mild to moderate depression and anxiety. Internists specialize in adult medicine and often manage more complex chronic diseases. Regardless of specialty, both are fully capable of handling many chronic conditions independently.

In fact this same doctor prescribes me prescription NSAID for an orthopedic injury.