Who is an internist?
Internists, internal medicine physicians, are primary care specialists who diagnose and treat internal organ diseases. Unlike general practice physicians, internists only treat fully grown adults. Some internists specialize in providing general medical care to older adults or treating chronic diseases such as diabetes or hypertension.
Education and training of internists in the United States of America
The first step to becoming a certified internist is to complete a four-year undergraduate degree. You will also need to complete the following:
- Four years of medical school
- Internal medicine residency of three years.
You will then need to pass an exam to get certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Internists can specialize in cardiology, pulmonary disease, oncology, critical care, and hematology.
What are some of the subspecialties of internal medicine?
Subspecialties in internal medicine provide specialized medical care for specific patient populations or conditions. After completing a residency in internal medicine, these subspecialists undergo additional training and must pass certification assessments administered by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).Â
Some internal medicine subspecialties are-
- Geriatric medicine: These specialists exclusively care for elderly patients, focusing on age-related medical complexities.
- Hospice and palliative medicine: Subspecialists provide end-of-life care and symptom management for patients with life-threatening illnesses.Â
- Allergy and immunology: These physicians diagnose and treat allergies, immunologic disorders, and asthma.Â
- Sleep medicine: As experts in sleep disorders, specialists leverage various techniques/medications to diagnose/manage conditions like insomnia and sleep apnea. They have deep knowledge of the sleep and respiratory control centers and how changes in physiology can affect their patients.Â
- Hospital medicine: Hospitalists specialize in the care of hospitalized patients, emphasizing care coordination.Â
- Clinical cardiac electrophysiology: Subspecialists treat complex heart rhythm disorders and utilize devices like pacemakers.
- Cardiovascular disease: Cardiologists manage heart and blood vessel conditions, emphasizing prevention.Â
- Advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology: Experts in advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology treat complex heart conditions, often requiring heart transplants.Â
- Sports medicine: Unlike orthopedics, a surgical specialty, sports medicine diagnoses and treats sports-related injuries using nonoperative techniques. Physicians also work with patients to prevent future injuries. While sports medicine internists can work in a traditional practice setting, some work directly with athletic teams.Â
- Transplant hepatology: Physicians who focus on the transplant hepatology internal medicine subspecialty devote their careers to studying diseases resulting from transplant surgery, which affects the liver and other digestive organs. Their work involves preoperative and postoperative care, so a solid knowledge of managing transplant-related complications is essential.
- Rheumatology: Rheumatologists diagnose and treat diseases that affect joints, muscles, and related tissues. These physicians require exceptional physical examination skills to make proper diagnoses. It’s common for rheumatologists to serve as consultants for other physicians, including general internists.Â
What are the different conditions internists treat?
Internists treat many conditions differently. Some of the more common ones include:
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Infectious diseases
- Pulmonary disorders
- Kidney disorders
Who are oncologists?
Medical oncology is an internal medicine subspecialty focused on detecting and treating benign and malignant tumors. Oncologists work alongside general internists and other healthcare providers to identify individuals at risk for cancer and investigate symptoms that may indicate underlying malignancies. Once a cancer diagnosis is confirmed, oncologists take over the care of such patients.
Many work in specialized oncology groups, collaborating with other physicians to manage patient care. They also frequently offer consultative services to different doctors and healthcare institutions. In academic settings, oncologists often participate in basic and clinical research while teaching medical students and residents.
A joint hematology-oncology fellowship equips internal medicine physicians with the skills to diagnose, treat, and handle various cancer-related and blood disorders.
What kind of allergies do internists treat?
Allergy and immunology involve detecting and managing immune system disorders, which can range from common to rare and affect individuals of all ages. Allergists treat various conditions, including allergic conjunctivitis in the eyes and respiratory issues such as asthma and sinusitis. They also manage gastrointestinal disorders caused by immune responses to foods like eosinophilic esophagitis and skin conditions like atopic dermatitis.Â
Allergists can also tend to adverse reactions to medications, insect stings, and immune system diseases like antibody deficiencies and phagocytic cell disorders. They handle severe other allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis and treat autoimmune conditions. Some allergists are involved in stem cell or organ transplantation care. Many work in specialized clinical settings and consult other physicians and healthcare facilities.
Internist vs. family physician
Internists and family physicians are the two most common primary care physicians. While both internists and family physicians provide general care for patients, there are some critical differences between the two.
Internists are medical doctors who specialize in internal medicine. They focus on preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases in adults. Internists often serve as a patient’s primary care physician and work with a team of specialists to provide comprehensive care.
Family physicians are medical doctors who provide general care for patients of all ages. Family physicians often serve as primary care physicians and coordinate patient care with other specialists. In addition to treating common illnesses, family physicians provide preventive care, well-child visits, and health screenings.
When should you visit an internist?
You should visit an internist near you if you have general concerns about your health or are experiencing any unusual symptoms. Internists can provide comprehensive care for adults. They can treat complex health issues and patients with multiple illnesses. They can also provide primary care, manage chronic conditions, and coordinate care with specialists.
What should you expect on the first visit to an internist?
You may be wondering what to expect on your first visit to an internist. Upon checking in at reception, you may have to complete some paperwork, including your medical history and insurance information.
Once the paperwork is complete, the medical staff will take you to an exam room, where an internist will discuss your health concerns and perform a physical examination. Based on the information uncovered, they may order tests or refer you to a specialist.
At the end of the visit, the internist will talk about their findings with you and develop a treatment plan. They may also give you some lifestyle recommendations to help improve your overall health.
The benefits of visiting an internist
If you are sick or have medical concerns, it is always best to see a doctor. However, sometimes, people may need clarification on which type of doctor they should see. In these cases, visiting an internist near you may be the best decision. Here are some benefits of visiting an internist:Â
- Internists can provide general patient care. If you are feeling sick but are unsure what is wrong, an internist may be able to help.Â
- Internists usually have more experience than other doctors, as they have completed additional training beyond medical school. This extra training means that internists often better understand complex medical problems and can offer complete care.Â
- Because they focus on internal medicine, internists are usually up-to-date on the latest developments in their field. It means that they can provide cutting-edge pharmacological treatments for their patients.
How can you find the best internist in Arlington, Virginia?
Easily find board-certified internists in Arlington, Virginia, with Zocdoc. Our website features a detailed list of qualified internists.
Creating a free account on Zocdoc is a simple process. After you type in your condition, location, and preferred appointment timing and select your insurance plan, the app/website provides you with a comprehensive list of doctors who meet these criteria. Zocdoc has partnered with experienced internists in Arlington, Virginia, who offer quality advice and treatment to their patients. You can also use the insurance detector if you need help decoding your policy.Â
If you need help finding internists who accept your insurance, our online patient support center is here to assist. On Zocdoc, you can connect your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account, though you can use only one plan per appointment.
You can include your secondary insurance details in the appointment notes for those with multiple insurance plans. Alternatively, you can enter your secondary insurance information if your healthcare provider uses Zocdoc’s Intake forms.
Each internist featured on Zocdoc has a profile that details their background, qualifications, and practice location. Zocdoc also asks patients of all partnered physicians to leave a review once they have completed an appointment; this allows you to make an informed choice.
If you are specifically looking for male or female internists in your area, you can filter the search results by gender. You may also schedule video appointments before an in-person visit to get to know your internist better. Look for a purple video icon on your internist's profile or filter by video appointment type to get a real-time appointment.
Booking appointments with internists near you on Zocdoc is easy, secure, and 100% free!
Statistics about internists in Arlington, Virginia
Per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are approximately 640 internists in the state of Virginia, a number that pales in comparison to internists employed in states like New York (12,950), California (5,940), Texas (2,690), Florida (3,010), and Massachusetts (1,790).Â
However, the proximity of Arlington County to Washington DC - a veritable population center - has ensured the relative abundance of medical practitioners; the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria Metropolitan area alone has over 3,040 employed internists.
Internists are critical to the prevention of conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the percentage of US adults aged 18 to 79 diagnosed with diabetes in Virginia was around 9.5% in 2018. The rate of newly diagnosed diabetes in US adults aged 18 to 79 was around 6.7% in the same year.
According to the data produced by the Indiana Department of Health, the death rate per 100,000 aged 35+ from heart disease in Virginia was nearly 287 between 2019 and 2021. In addition, the death rate per 100,000 aged 35+ from heart disease in Arlington was approximately 176 during the same period. Approximately 134 women and 224 men died from heart disease in Arlington between  2019 and 2021.
Sources
WebMD
US Bureau of Labor Statistics
First Care Medical Clinic
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Indiana Department of Health
St. George’s University
American College of Physicians[1]
American College of Physicians[2]
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