Who is an internist?
Internists are doctors specializing in internal medicine. This branch of medicine deals with various conditions affecting the body's organs. Internists only treat adults and do not treat children or adolescents. They offer comprehensive, long-term patient care. Forming long-term relationships with patients, making appropriate recommendations through coordination, and providing accurate treatment methods for each unique patient are essential.
They have specialized training in diagnosing perplexing medical issues, treating chronic illnesses, and caring for patients with multiple diseases.
Internal Medicine specialists see patients with chronic conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and pulmonary disease regularly. Other medical professionals frequently call upon internal Medicine Physicians as they can connect the dots, solve problems, and offer solutions.
Types of internists
These are some examples of subspecialties within internal medicine:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Respiratory disease
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Infectious disease
Education and training of an internist
The training program for becoming an internist is comparable to other branches of medicine. It all begins with acceptance into medical school. Most medical schools ask for an undergraduate degree before admission, but some will accept three years of college. Although not required, most medical schools prefer students to take medical-related subjects such as biology or chemistry.
Students also need to qualify the Medical College Admission Test to enter medical school. This multiple-choice exam assesses the student's suitability for future medical training and work as a doctor. Top medical schools anticipate highly competitive test scores.
Students in medical school will receive four years of medical training and education. The training will include structured study and rotations in medical practices and hospitals. After receiving their medical degree, internists must complete a general internal medicine residency program, which provides more hands-on training to prepare them for life as a doctor.
Doctors must complete a residency program before practicing medicine in the United States. These programs typically last at least three years but can be longer for surgical specializations. All doctors must pass a medical licensing examination during their first year of residency. The Accreditation Council accredits these programs for Graduate Medical Education.
Some internists pursue more formal research training, such as a Ph.D. or a research fellowship. It is common for some doctors to devote some of their time to medical research.
What does an internist do?
Internists generally treat adults of all ages and are the first point of contact regarding medical care. They work in an office or clinic, but some may work in hospitals, particularly in an intensive care unit.
Internal medicine is such a broad field that the work of an internist varies. For example, they could treat one diabetic person and another one with an infected ear. Their job is to manage treatment over time.
Internists must have a broad and in-depth understanding of medicine. Many people undergoing treatment develop multiple long-term conditions, particularly as they age. To provide adequate care, an internist must thoroughly understand each situation and how they interact.
The internist will closely monitor each condition and, if necessary, update treatment approaches regularly to optimize symptom management. Internists may conduct medical or academic research, from running clinical trials to analyzing healthcare records.
What are some problems that internists treat?
There are multiple reasons you might have to see an internist. It could be for routine check-ups or when specific health issues come up. Here are just a couple of examples:
Abdominal pain
While abdominal pain is often harmless—like from a stomach virus or muscle strain—it can sometimes signal more serious issues. Conditions like appendicitis or even certain cancers can cause severe abdominal discomfort that might warrant a doctor's appointment. A trip to the ER is essential if the pain is sudden or severe. But for milder, ongoing pain, an internist is a great place to start.
Chest pain
Feeling chest pain can be alarming, but it doesn't always mean you are having a heart attack. Other factors, such as acid reflux, lung issues, or even anxiety, can cause chest discomfort. While you should call 911 if you're worried about a heart attack for milder or unclear chest pain, an internist can help identify what's going on and provide the right course of action.
How do internists diagnose problems in patients?
An internist near you can use various diagnostic tools to understand their patients' health, including blood tests, urine tests, and MRI scans.
Blood tests are one of the most common ways internists gather essential information. They can reveal underlying signs of disease, indicate how organs function, and even detect genetic disorders or risk factors for severe conditions like heart disease.
Urine tests provide another window into a patient's health. They can detect early and unnoticeable signs of kidney disease and urinary infections and give clues about diabetes or liver issues. By analyzing urine contents, an internist can quickly identify potential problems that are yet to translate into observable symptoms that could trouble the patient.
Doctors often rely on MRI scans for a more detailed look inside the body. These scans produce highly detailed images that help internists detect subtle abnormalities that X-rays and other screening methods might miss.
How do you prepare for your first internist's appointment?
Making an appointment to see a doctor can easily become a hassle when you're sick. But if you rush the process, you might not be able to get as much out of the visit as you need. Here's how to prepare yourself for the doctor's visit:
- Make sure to give the doctor's office information regarding the reason for your appointment when booking your slot.
- If you haven't seen the doctor before, be prepared to provide information about your medical history and bring your past medical records and a list of medications (with the dosage) you may be consuming.
- During the visit, give the internist all the information about your symptoms and when they started.
- After listening to you and doing your checkup, the internist may diagnose and prescribe a treatment. Ask questions to fully grasp the treatment - especially if a new medication is involved.
- Also, you should ask for a follow-up appointment and make it as soon as you know.
Internist vs. family physician
Many often confuse family physicians and internists due to their similar roles as primary care physicians. However, there is a distinct difference between the two. While both physicians provide overall health management, they differ in patient demographics. Internists exclusively focus on adults, while family physicians treat people of all ages, including children and adults.
Internists specialize in primary care screening and treating common adult illnesses like diabetes and hypertension. They also deal with a complex combination of conditions. On the other hand, family physicians have undergone extensive training that equips them to deal with varying health problems for the entire family. They focus on wellness, disease prevention, and chronic disease management.
Internists vs. general practitioners
Internists and general practitioners are similar in that they frequently see the same patients. They are both primary care physicians, but they have significant differences. Internists treat adults, whereas general practitioners treat people of all ages, including children and adolescents. During their education, a general practitioner will receive training in internal medicine and other types of treatment, including pediatric care for children. Internists treat many adult medical conditions, although they may choose their preferred specializations.
Finding the right internist near you in Clifton, New Jersey
Are you looking for an internist in Clifton, New Jersey? Look no further than Zocdoc, the leading online healthcare platform that seamlessly connects patients with the best medical professionals in their area.
With Zocdoc, you can easily book appointments with top-rated internists near you in New Jersey. Search by location, specialty, and insurance to find internists who meet your needs. Plus, you can read verified patient reviews and ratings to guide you in making an informed decision about your healthcare provider.
You can quickly check if your chosen provider accepts your insurance by selecting your plan and carrier from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. Rest assured, your insurance information is fully secure with Zocdoc. Please visitZocdoc's patient help center for any other insurance-related questions.
Zocdoc makes booking an appointment with an internist easy and convenient. You can view availability in real time and schedule your appointment online 24/7. There will be no more playing phone tag or hold times with the office staff. With Zocdoc, you can book an appointment from anywhere, anytime. Best of all, using Zocdoc is entirely free. You can search for internists, read reviews, and book appointments without hidden fees or costs. So why wait? Use Zocdoc today to find the internist near you to manage your health and wellness.
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Statistics on internists in Clifton, New Jersey
According to the American Labor Bureau, as of May 2020, there were approximately 270 internists employed in the metropolitan area of Clifton, New Jersey. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over 52% of adults in the United States said they had seen a healthcare professional in 2022.
Statistics on the problems treated by an internist:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) statistics: Hypertension was a prominent cause of over 670,000 deaths in the United States in 2020. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that nearly half of all adults in the United States (47%, or 116 million) have hypertension. Only about one in every four adults (24%) has hypertension under control.
- Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) statistics: As per reports of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 12% of American adults have high cholesterol. Nearly 94 million adults in the United States aged 20 and up have total cholesterol levels above 200 mg/dL. Total cholesterol levels in the United States exceed 240 mg/dL in 28 million adults. Nearly 7% of children and adolescents in the United States aged 6 to 19 have high total cholesterol.
- Depression statistics: The National Institute of Mental Health report estimates that nearly 21.0 million U.S. adults went through depression in 2020. This figure represents almost 8.4% of all adults in the United States. Major depressive episodes were more common in adult females (10.5%) than in males (6.2%). Individuals aged 18-25 had the highest prevalence of major depressive episodes (17.0%).
- Diabetes, arthritis, and depression statistics: As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), close to 10% of American adults have diabetes. According to reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in every four U.S. adults (23.7%), or approximately 58.5 million people, has arthritis. Arthritis is more commonly found in women (23.5%) than men (18.1%) and more common in adults with fair/poor health (40.5%) than those with excellent health (15.4%).
Sources
Dr. Kavita Rao M.D., Gulf Coast Internist
St. George's University, School of Medicine
Cleveland Clinic
American College of Physician
Medical News Today
Healthline
Centre for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centre for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
Centre for Disease Control and Prevention[3]
Centre for Disease Control and Prevention[4]
National Institute of Mental Health
Millennium Medical Care
WebMD
