Who is an internist?
A certified doctor specializing in internal medicine is called a general internist or a doctor of internal medicine. They focus on health issues that affect the internal organs and different systems of the body, such as cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, endocrine, musculoskeletal, digestive, immune, and nervous systems. Some internists may further specialize in a particular area within internal medicine, such as cardiology, endocrinology, and more.
Internists mainly focus on diagnosing, managing, treating, and preventing diseases in adults over 18 years. They don't work with children or adolescents and cannot perform surgeries. Due to their expertise in chronic disease management, internists provide care to older adults with multiple chronic health conditions. They offer outpatient care in private offices or clinics and inpatient care in hospitals, intensive care units, and hospice centers. Internists can also provide primary care, including treating injuries and acute illness and preventive healthcare services.
What kind of education and training do internists receive?
Becoming an internist is similar to other medical specialties and begins with gaining admission to medical school. Many medical schools require students to have an undergraduate degree, though some may accept three years of college. While not mandatory, students are often encouraged to take relevant subjects like biology or chemistry.
Additionally, students must pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), a multiple-choice exam that assesses their readiness for medical training and future work as a doctor. Top medical schools typically expect high scores on this test.
Once admitted, students complete four years of medical training, including structured study and practical rotations in medical settings such as hospitals. After earning their medical degree, internists must enter a general internal medicine residency program providing hands-on training. This residency, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, is required for practicing medicine in the United States. Residencies typically last three years but may be longer for specializations like surgery.
All doctors must pass a medical licensing examination during their first year of residency. After completing their residency, some internists may specialize further by pursuing a fellowship, which can take up to three years. Those interested in research may also opt for a Ph.D. or a research fellowship to deepen their formal research skills. Understanding research methods and statistics is essential for staying updated with new treatments, and many doctors dedicate a portion of their time to medical research.
Common chronic conditions treated by internists
Different chronic ailments affect adults as they get older. A majority of these conditions don't show any symptoms initially. Regular preventive health checkups are the best way to detect these ailments early and prevent them from becoming significant health complications. The most common disorders managed and treated by internists among adults in the 65+ age group are as follows:
- Hypertension or high blood pressure occurs when the heart pumps more blood into narrow arteries, which resist the flow. Untreated hypertension can lead to many complications, such as heart attack and stroke. Generally, there are no symptoms, but some may experience headaches, shortness of breath, and nosebleeds.
- High cholesterol levels cause fatty deposits in the blood vessels, obstructing normal blood flow. This condition does not produce any symptoms and raises the risk of stroke, heart disease, or heart attack.
- Arthritis: It is a painful condition affecting the joints. Common types of arthritis - osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It causes swelling, inflammation, pain, and joint stiffness that can worsen with time and age.
- Coronary heart disease occurs when the arteries or blood vessels fail to supply nutrient-rich and oxygenated blood to the heart. It is usually a result of high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Complications include blood clots, angina, or a heart attack.
- Heart failure occurs when the heart does not pump adequate blood throughout the body. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, leg swelling, irregular heartbeat, rapid weight gain, and nausea.
- Diabetes occurs when the body fails to generate enough insulin or becomes resistant. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to extreme complications such as blindness, kidney disease, or heart disease.
- Depression: It is a treatable mood disorder that causes symptoms such as perpetual sadness, loss of interest in daily activities, hopelessness, angry or emotional outbursts, fatigue, difficulty making decisions, changes in appetite, and sleep disturbances.
- Chronic kidney disease occurs when the normal functioning of the kidney gradually declines, resulting in severe kidney damage. Major causes of chronic kidney disease include Type 1 and 2 diabetes and hypertension.
How can internists help manage chronic illnesses?
Chronic illness can significantly affect your quality of life. However, continuous medical care can dramatically help to improve your daily life and routine. Internists can help manage chronic conditions, prevent further disease complications, and reduce healthcare costs with regular checkups, health screenings, physical exams, and health education.
On your first visit to the internist, they will ask about your detailed medical history and conduct a thorough physical examination. Next, they may perform diagnostic tests to ascertain the ailment and discuss appropriate treatment. Internists may suggest diet and lifestyle changes (losing weight, daily exercise, quitting alcohol and smoking, and healthy eating habits) to improve your body's response to treatment, effectively manage chronic conditions, and improve overall life quality. They help you understand the symptoms that may need urgent medical attention and guide you on monitoring your health at home.
The internist may conduct health screenings and other tests during your follow-up visit. It helps assess your body's response to treatment and evaluate the treatment plan's effectiveness in managing chronic illnesses. If required, they may recommend necessary changes or modifications. If you experience mental health issues or side effects linked to your existing treatment plan, you must discuss it with the internist during your follow-up visit. Internists may even refer you to a specialist doctor if your ailment requires expert intervention.
How can you build a good rapport with your internist?
Building a long-term partnership with an internist near you has many benefits, including prevention and early detection of diseases, lifestyle monitoring, and emotional support. Here are five steps you can take to enhance your relationship with your provider:
- Always prepare for your consultation: Before your appointment, gather your medical records and diagnostic reports, note your new symptoms, and record any health-related queries you want to address. This will ensure you make the most of your time with the internist.
- Arrive on time: Reach your doctor's office 10-15 minutes before the appointment. Respecting the doctor's schedule helps foster a positive impression and cultivate mutual trust and regard.
- Be honest with your internist: Your provider depends on the information you provide them to arrive at an accurate diagnosis and prepare appropriate treatment plans for you. So, please do not feel embarrassed to give them honest answers to the questions they ask about your symptoms, lifestyle habits, diet, sleep routine, and more.
- Ask many questions: Whether you need clarification on the treatment plan or wish to understand the ideal preventative screenings, your internist is the best resource for all your health-related doubts. Therefore, do not hesitate to ask them anything.
- Bring your loved one to the appointment: Introducing your partner, family member, or caregiver to your internist is always better so they know who to contact in emergencies.
- Trust your provider and follow their advice: To achieve positive and lasting health outcomes, you must believe in your internist and follow their prescribed treatment plan, lifestyle and diet tips, and other health-related suggestions.
- Go for routine checkups: Meet your doctor every few months to keep your physical and mental health in check.
How to find the best internists near you in Boca Raton, FL
Visiting an internist is crucial to your overall good health and well-being. Choosing an in-network internist can save you money if you already have a health plan.
With Zocdoc, you can easily find the best and the most experienced internists in Boca Raton, Florida, per your health care requirements. On Zocdoc, select your condition or specialty, location, date, and insurance plan. Once you enter your search criteria, a comprehensive list of highly qualified doctors appears. If you have insurance, include your insurance carrier's name in the search, and the website will show you the best internists who accept your plan. All our internists have unique profiles where you can read about their educational qualifications, board certifications, clinical interests, expertise, experience, and spoken languages.
If you need assistance locating gastroenterologists who accept your insurance, our online patient help center is here to assist. With Zocdoc, you can connect your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account. However, you can use only one insurance plan per appointment.
For those with multiple insurance plans, you can add your secondary insurance details in the appointment notes. You can also provide secondary insurance information if your healthcare provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms.
Thanks to our updated and verified patient reviews, user ratings, and provider profiles, you can make an informed decision before visiting an internist. You can even perform an area-specific search on Zocdoc to locate a licensed internist nearby. You can filter by gender if you're looking for female or male internists in Boca Raton, Florida.
You can also book video appointments on Zocdoc before an in-person visit to better understand the internist. Look for a purple video icon on internists' profiles or filter the video appointment selection. Now, you can book appointments with internists near you who accept your insurance plan in real-time.
All bookings on Zocdoc are simple, secure, and free!
Statistics on diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and tuberculosis in Florida, USA
As per America's Health Rankings, in 2022, about 12.2% of adults in Florida had diabetes (gestational diabetes and prediabetes), higher than the national average of 11.5%. Diabetes prevalence was highest among adults in the 65+ age group (25.2%) and lowest among adults in the 18-44 age group (2.6%).
In 2022, about 10% of adults in Florida reported a heart attack or stroke, higher than the US average of 9.9%. In 2019, about 33.5% of adults in Florida reported high blood pressure, higher than the US average of 32.5%. High blood pressure prevalence is higher among men (36.2%) than women (31%). In 2022, about 4.3% of Florida adults reported kidney disease (excluding bladder infection, kidney stone, or incontinence), higher than the US average of about 3.5%. About 9.2% of adults in the 65+ age group reported having kidney disease, the highest compared to other groups, as per the data published by America's Health Rankings.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2024 tuberculosis surveillance data, Florida reported 675 cases of tuberculosis (TB) in 2024, an 8.3% increase from 623 cases in 2023. The state had a TB incidence rate of 2.9 cases per 100,000 residents. Adults ages 25 to 44 accounted for 40.4% (273 cases), the largest share of cases, followed by adults ages 45 to 64 at 29.3% (198 cases) and adults ages 65 and older at 17.8% (120 cases).
Sources
American College of Physicians
WebMD
European Federation of Internal Medicine
National Council on Aging
University Hospitals
Medical News Today
America’s Health Rankings[1]
America’s Health Rankings[2]
America’s Health Rankings[3]
America’s Health Rankings[4]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Premier Medical Group
Scripps Health
