Who is an internist?
Internists specialize in diagnosing and treating internal organs. They are also known as internal medicine physicians or doctors of internal medicine and are experts at handling complex or multiple illnesses in patients.
They are often confused with family physicians because both treat the same conditions. While internists can be primary care providers, they do not treat children and focus all their knowledge and attention on treating diseases in adults. Family physicians, however, can treat the entire family, from children to adults. While family physicians possess a broader knowledge of illnesses, internists have a more profound knowledge of the same and can treat complicated cases.
Internal medicine physicians have deep knowledge about illnesses and are often known as "doctor's doctors" because other specialists usually consult them to solve puzzling diagnostic medical conditions.
Where do internists work?
While some internists treat patients in hospitals and are known as "hospitalists," others provide their services to inpatient and outpatient care centers and long-term facilities. Internists may work on policy creation affecting the healthcare industry or focus on individual patient care. They may also serve as medical school curriculum developers, academic advisors, teachers, and administrators. Similarly, they can work in leadership roles in senior living facilities, veteran administration centers, or organizations involved in adult healthcare. Internists can work as researchers, testing new medicines or developing new treatments and vaccines for existing and new diseases.
Education and training of internists
After graduation, aspiring internists must attend medical school and complete a three-year residency, during which they learn about general internal medicine. They can then begin practicing as internists. Some internists prefer to continue their education by pursuing a two—to three-year fellowship specializing further in a subspecialty of internal medicine.
What are some sub-specializations in internal medicine?
Internal medicine encompasses a wide range of medical specialties aimed at diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases affecting adults. Here are some notable subspecialties certified by the American Board of Medicine:
- Cardiology: Cardiology studies and treats heart, blood vessels, and circulatory system diseases.
- Endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism: This subspecialty focuses on the endocrine system, including glands that produce hormones.
- Gastroenterology: It focuses on diseases of the digestive system, including the stomach, intestines, liver, and pancreas.
- Infectious diseases: Experts diagnose and treat illnesses caused by pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, and parasites. They manage conditions ranging from common infections to complex diseases like HIV/AIDS.
- Hematology concentrates on blood disorders and diseases affecting the blood and its components.
- Nephrology: This subspeciality specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney-related conditions.
- Oncology: It focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating cancer.
- Pulmonary disease: This specialization addresses conditions affecting the lungs and other organs of the respiratory system. Pulmonologists diagnose and treat pulmonary ailments such as lung cancer, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Rheumatology: It deals with joint, muscle, and bone diseases, including arthritis.
Additionally, the American Board of Medicine certifies subspecialties in collaboration with other specialty boards, including:
- Adolescent medicine: Concentrates on providing healthcare to adolescents and young adults.
- Allergy and immunology: Studies the immune system and its associated disorders.
- Critical care medicine: Concentrates on caring for severely ill patients who are either at risk of or recuperating from life-threatening conditions.
- Geriatric medicine: Specializes in the healthcare needs of older adults.
- Hospice and palliative medicine: Provides relief and support for individuals with severe illnesses, focusing on improving quality of life.
- Neurocritical care: Addresses life-threatening conditions of the nervous system.
- Sleep medicine: Studies and treats sleep disorders and disturbances.
- Sports medicine: Aims to prevent and manage sports and exercise-related injuries, focusing on optimizing athletic performance and recovery.
What conditions do internists treat?
Internists treat various medical conditions, from the common to the most complex or chronic cases. They can treat pulmonary disease, obesity, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, hypertension, asthma, Crohn's disease, kidney issues, blood pressure, infections, diabetes, etc. They work closely with other medical specialists to cure patients with complicated illnesses.
Internists need to stay updated about new diseases and their treatments. They must keep current on hundreds of conditions and medications and are thus called part doctors, investigators, researchers, and caregivers.
Internal medicine doctors help prevent illnesses and the worsening of diseases by advising patients on how to improve their quality of life. They also help them identify early signs of conditions and avoid getting out of hand.
When should you visit an internist?
You can choose an internist as your primary care provider. They are often an individual's first point of contact in the healthcare system and can offer routine and specialty care. For example, an internal medicine doctor specializing in cardiovascular disease can treat several heart conditions, while an internist specializing in pulmonary disease can treat respiratory system issues.
Visit an internist near you for the following reasons:
- Digestive problems such as abdominal pain
- Chest pain
- Adult annual checkups
- Breathing problems
- Chronic pain
- Allergies
- Preventive medical care, such as screenings and immunizations
- Fatigue
- Sinus problems
- Fever
- Flu or common cold
- Migraines
- Management of chronic conditions like diabetes and heart problems
- Infections
- Problems during pregnancy
- Memory problems
- Trouble with sleeping
What to expect at your initial internist appointment?
Before you visit an internist doctor near you, it is essential to understand what you can expect at your initial consultation. Your consultation will depend on your symptoms and the problems you tell your provider. You can expect your internist to record your health information first. It includes your vital signs, blood pressure, height, and weight. Your internist will also ask you about your personal and family medical history. It will help them diagnose your condition more accurately. Further, telling your internist about any medications you've been taking (including over-the-counter supplements and medicines), surgeries you've undergone, and previous tests would be best.
After understanding your medical history, your internist may conduct a general physical examination. It involves:
- Observing your general appearance, including your posture and gait
- Check your heartbeat for any irregularities in your heartbeat, a heart murmur, or other abnormalities
- Listening to how you breathe to check for wheezing, shortness of breath, and crackling sounds
- Examine your eyes, nose, mouth, and ears for signs of infections and other conditions.
- Examine your skin and nails.
Your internist may also order some diagnostic tests (bone density tests, blood tests like lipid panels, and imaging tests like X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans) before diagnosis.
Your provider will ask you to return for a follow-up visit with your test results. Depending on your diagnosis, your doctor can recommend treatment or refer you to a specialist or a surgeon.
Internists also often counsel patients on implementing healthier lifestyles. For mental health concerns, your internist will most likely refer you to a skilled mental health provider like a psychologist or psychiatrist.
6 tips for choosing an internist
Consider these essential tips to ensure you find the best internist near you.
Ask for referrals
Start by compiling a list of potential internists. Contact trusted sources like family, friends, or other healthcare providers for recommendations. Once you have a shortlist, call each office to schedule a consultation. Meeting the doctor can help you assess whether they are the right fit for your healthcare needs.
Verify credentials and authenticity
Board certification is a crucial factor when choosing an internist. It confirms that the doctor has undergone the necessary training and possesses the expertise to treat patients in internal medicine. Additionally, check their history for malpractice claims or disciplinary actions.
Check insurance coverage
Your insurance plan may influence your choice of internist. To minimize costs, look for doctors who participate in your plan. However, don’t overlook factors like credentials and experience when choosing a doctor. If your insurance doesn’t cover the services, inquire about other payment options. Balancing affordability with quality care will help you find the best internist near you.
Think about gender
Comfort is key when discussing personal health issues. You might prefer an internist of your gender, especially if your condition requires specialized care, like heart health for women. Ask about the doctor’s recent training and experience treating patients of your gender. Feeling at ease with your internist is paramount for effective treatment.
Consider experience
Experience is critical when it comes to managing your health. An experienced internist will likely achieve successful outcomes, especially if you have a specific condition. During your consultation, ask how many patients they’ve treated with your condition or how often they’ve performed a particular procedure.
Explore telehealth options
Many internists now offer telehealth services, allowing patients to connect via video calls, emails, or other technologies. Telehealth is especially useful for minor issues, routine follow-ups, or managing chronic conditions from home.
How do you find a good internist doctor near you in Chandler, AZ?
Looking for an internist can be difficult when you or a loved one is ill. However, Zocdoc can help you find some of the best internists in Chandler, Arizona, within minutes. You can start by entering your symptoms or location on the Zocdoc portal and get a list of specialists who meet your criteria. You can narrow the providers based on their gender, language, location, and hospital connections and locate internists in-network.
Each doctor has a unique profile where you can learn about their experience, board certifications, affiliations, educational and training background, and awards. You may also access verified ratings and reviews from previous patients to find the best internist doctor near you.
Furthermore, if your insurance plan isn't listed on Zocdoc, you can upload a photo of your medical insurance card. Zocdoc will scan the image to identify your likely plan. However, this feature is not available for vision or dental insurance. If you encounter any issues uploading your card or have insurance-related concerns, visit Zocdoc's patient help center.
Before making a physical appointment, Zocdoc allows you to book a virtual consultation. The simple booking process lets you choose slots based on your convenience and the internist's availability.
All bookings on Zocdoc are easy, free, and safe.
Statistics on various diseases treated by internists in Arizona
According to America's Health Rankings, about 11% of adults in Arizona were affected by diabetes (excluding prediabetes and gestational diabetes) in 2020, compared to the national average of 10.6%. Men (12.2%) were more prone to the disease than women (9.8%). Its incidence was higher in older people, affecting 21.4% of those above 65, 14.4% aged 45 to 64, and 3.4% aged 18 to 44.
The same source reported that about 22.8% of adults in Arizona were diagnosed with some form of arthritis in 2020. The condition's incidence was higher in older people and affected 47.2% of those above 65, 28.6% aged 45 to 64, and 6.4% aged 18 to 44. A higher percentage of women (27.2%) were affected by arthritis than men (18.2%).
Approximately 8.1% of adults were diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which include conditions such as angina, coronary heart disease, heart attack, stroke, or myocardial infarction. This figure was in line with the national average. The incidence of CVD was higher in men (9.9%) than in women (6,4%). The disease affected 19.8% of those over 65, 8.3% aged 45 to 64, and 2% aged 18 to 44.
America's Health Rankings also showed that in 2020, around 3.9% of the adult population in Arizona was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (not including kidney stones, incontinence, or bladder infection). The national average for adults affected by it was 2.9%. It affected 8.7% of those above 65, 4.6% aged 45 to 64, and 1% aged 18 to 44.
Obesity is another condition that internists often treat. In 2020, about 30.9% of the adult population in Arizona was obese, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher, slightly lower than the national average of 31.9%. Women (31%) and men (30.8%) had an almost equal chance of being diagnosed as obese in Arizona. Those between 45 and 64 (35.4%) were more prone to be obese compared to those aged 18 to 44 (30.6%) and 65 and above (25.8%).
Sources
American College of Physicians[1]
American College of Physicians[2]
American University of Antigua
America’s Health Rankings[1]
America’s Health Rankings[2]
America’s Health Rankings[3]
America’s Health Rankings[4]
America’s Health Rankings[5]
WebMD
Healthline
Genesis Medical Associates
Castle Connolly
Logansport Memorial Hospital
American College of Physicians[3]
Healthgrades
