Who is an internist?
An internist can diagnose, treat, and prevent a broad spectrum of acute and chronic illnesses affecting adults. They also perform office procedures for minor injuries and offer annual physical exams, health screenings, adult vaccinations, and joint pain injections.
Internists can help all patients aged 18 and above, and they often build lasting relationships with older adults requiring ongoing care due to multiple health conditions. They do not see children or younger adolescents. Internists work in numerous healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, private practices, community health centers, rehabilitation facilities, and hospice care centers.
What is the education and training of internists?
Internists undergo extensive education and training of at least 11 years before starting medical practice. It includes:
- 4-year undergraduate degree rich in science subjects such as biology or chemistry
- 4-year medical degree from an accredited medical school
- 3-year internal medicine residency under the guidance of senior medical professionals
- 1 to 3-year fellowship to subspecialize in a specific area (optional)
Internists also earn board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine.
What do different internal medicine subspecialists diagnose and treat?
Internists can receive additional training in any of the nine subspecialties recognized by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Here are all the different types of internal medicine physicians:
- Cardiologists: They deal with patients experiencing heart conditions like coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure, and arrhythmias. They also deal with common cardiovascular risk factors, including high blood pressure and hypertension.
- Endocrinologists: They diagnose and treat thyroid diseases, diabetes, hormonal imbalances, metabolic disorders, osteoporosis, and growth disorders.
- Gastroenterologists: They are experts in conditions affecting the stomach, intestines, esophagus, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and biliary system. These include inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, food allergies, gastroesophageal reflux disease, fatty liver disease, and gallstones.
- Hematologists: They are blood disorder specialists who treat anemia, hemophilia, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, and blood cancer.
- Infectious disease doctors: They focus on bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections, including pneumonia, urinary tract infections, influenza, herpes, hepatitis, malaria, and sexually transmitted diseases.
- Nephrologists: They specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney-related conditions and disorders, such as chronic kidney disease, kidney stones, kidney failure, kidney infections, and urinary tract infections.
- Oncologists: They are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cancer.
- Pulmonologists: These specialists treat respiratory system disorders, including cystic fibrosis, bronchitis, lung cancer, sleep apnea, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Rheumatologists: They treat musculoskeletal disorders, including arthritis, osteoporosis, bursitis, tendinitis, and tennis elbow.
Other subspecialties certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in coalition with other specialty boards include adolescent medicine, allergy and immunology, critical care medicine, geriatric medicine, hospice and palliative medicine, neurocritical care, sleep medicine, and sports medicine. Additional training in women's health is also an option.
Reasons to consult an internist
If you have selected an internist as your primary care physician (PCP), you'll likely turn to them for routine healthcare needs. However, even if an internist isn't your designated PCP, there are several reasons why seeing one might be beneficial.
Here are a couple of scenarios where visiting a general internist could be appropriate:
- Abdominal pain: Abdominal discomfort can arise from various sources. It might be minor, like a muscle strain or a stomach virus, but it can also signal more serious conditions, such as acute appendicitis or cancer. For severe or acute pain, visit the emergency room. However, an internist is a good starting point for less intense discomfort. They can help determine if the pain is linked to gastrointestinal issues or another cause, guiding you toward the proper treatment.
- Chest pain: Chest pain does not necessarily mean you're having a heart attack. Issues related to the lungs or gastrointestinal system, anxiety, or acid reflux can also cause the pain. While it is essential to seek emergency medical help if you suspect a heart attack, an internist can assist with diagnosing and managing less severe chest pain. They can help identify whether the pain stems from a non-cardiac source and recommend appropriate next steps.
Overall, an internist can provide valuable insight into various health concerns, whether routine or complex.
Things to remember before you visit an internist
Whether you are meeting with a new female internist near you for the first time, attending a follow-up appointment, or visiting for your annual checkup, you can follow a few tips to make the most of your time with them.
Arrive early: Arriving 15 minutes before the appointment is a good idea to ensure you have enough time to complete the necessary paperwork. Remember to carry all essential documents, including your photo ID, insurance card, and referrals. Plus, be prepared for extended wait times and bring a book or earphones to keep yourself entertained until your doctor calls you in.
Write down the symptoms: If you are seeing an internist to discuss new signs, make detailed notes about them—when you first noticed them, what makes them better or worse, how they are affecting your daily activities, and whether you have tried any treatments or home remedies to treat them. This information can help the provider with the diagnosis.
Have your list of medications: Do you currently take any prescription medications, supplements, over-the-counter drugs, or herbal medicines? Write down their names and dosages.
Bring your medical records: Your internist will want to know your complete health status, including your health conditions, immunizations, allergies, and prior surgeries. So, carry your medical records accordingly or prepare a brief health summary for reference.
Know your family history: Your family medical history may relate to your situation, so gather your family records or compile a list of health issues in your family. This way, you can present them if your doctor requires them.
Make a list of questions: If you have any specific health-related concerns or queries you want to discuss with your doctor, list them in the proper order of priority. Here are a few questions you can ask:
- What health screenings and tests would you suggest for me?
- What lifestyle changes should I make?
- Can you offer a relevant diet plan for me?
- How can I manage my stress levels better?
How do you choose an internist?
Partnering with the right internist can go a long way in safeguarding your lifelong health. But how do you find a provider you can trust for years to come? It is usually a combination of recognizing your preferences, asking around, checking in-network providers, and researching the internist's background. Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Check for in-network providers: If you have a health plan, your first step should be to look for internists in your network. This way, you can maximize insurance benefits and save on out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.
- Talk to people you know: Ask your family, neighbors, friends, and co-workers for recommendations. You can also request referrals from your primary care physician or other healthcare providers you know. Once you have a list of potential internists, you can look them up online to narrow down your options and choose the best one that fits your needs.
- Review the internist's background: Before booking an appointment with an internist, it is essential to check their education, training, expertise, and experience. You should consider factors like medical school, residency training, fellowships, board certifications, memberships, publications, years of experience, hospital affiliations, and conditions they treat.
- Evaluate the internist’s communication style: When selecting an internist, it is advisable to choose a provider with whom you feel comfortable communicating your concerns. During your initial meeting with the internist, observe how they respond to your questions. Look for someone who welcomes your inquiries and provides answers in a clear manner. Consider whether the internist took sufficient time during your appointment or if you felt rushed. Finding an internist who demonstrates interest in understanding you, respects your treatment preferences, and values your opinions is beneficial.
- Check patient ratings and reviews: Going through ratings and reviews by past patients can give you first-hand insights about potential internists and help you make an informed decision. You can learn about the providers' wait times, bedside manners, and office staff cooperation.
Where can you find a male or female internist near you?
Are you an adult with persistent symptoms such as chronic pain, severe fatigue, or breathing problems? Have you been diagnosed with chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, or cancer? Does your family history or lifestyle habits put you at risk for diseases? Then, you would benefit from partnering with an internist to take charge of your health.
Zocdoc can help you find an internist quickly. In the search box, mention the required details, such as the type of specialist or condition, your location (city, state, or zip code), and insurance details. Click on the find button to receive an extensive list of in-network providers in and around your area.
With multiple insurance plans, you can add medical, dental, and vision coverage to your Zocdoc account. However, you can only search for and book appointments using one insurance plan at a time. You can note your secondary insurance plan in the provided field during the final booking step. Additionally, if your provider utilizes Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can include information about your secondary insurance while completing the forms online. For more insurance-related questions, please visit Zocdoc's patient help center.
To simplify your search results further, you can apply various filters. For instance, if you want to consult a female internist near you, choose the 'female' option in the gender filter. Similarly, if you are seeking care from a provider who knows Spanish, select that from the language filter. You can also specify your preferred consultation time, visit reason, travel distance, and appointment type (in-person/ online).
Zocdoc ensures complete transparency between providers and patients. Every provider's profile page includes crucial information about their education, training, board certifications, awards, practice names, and hospital affiliations. Lastly, reading verified patient reviews will help you make an informed decision.
Whenever you find a suitable internist, book your appointment via Zocdoc. It is safe, secure, and 100% free!
Chronic disease statistics in the country
According to the National Library of Medicine, in 2016, 43.2% of internal medicine residents were women, an increase from 30.2% in 1991.
As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 6 in 10 adults have a chronic disease. Additionally, about 4 in 10 have two or more chronic diseases. The top seven chronic health conditions causing death and disability include heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic lung disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. The leading risk factors for chronic disease are tobacco use, alcohol use, lack of physical activity, and poor nutrition.
Sources
WebMD
Medical News Today
American College of Physicians
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National Institute on Aging
Healthgrades
PubMed Central
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
