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Who is an internist?

Internists are medical professionals who practice internal medicine. Internal medicine is a medical branch that deals with diagnosing and treating conditions affecting multiple body systems. As the name suggests, internal medicine deals with the overall health of your body's inner organs and systems. However, an internist's treatment scope often extends to treating common physical ailments like rashes and skin infections. 

Patients most commonly consult internists or family doctors when looking for primary care doctors. In many cases, primary care doctors specialize in internal medicine as they treat a wide variety of adult disorders and conditions. 

While family doctors and internists have a similar scope of treatment, one fundamental difference exists. Internists only treat adults, whereas family doctors have the training to treat patients of all ages.  

What qualifies someone to be an internist? 

The first step is to get an undergraduate degree. Many colleges and universities in the country have a particular pre-medical school track that enables students to take courses that will assist them in medical school. Once their undergraduate program is complete, aspirants can enroll in medical school. 

After four years of medical school, aspirants must complete a three-year residency program and clear the American Board of Internal Medicine's Internal Medicine Certification Exam with a passing grade. After taking the exam, aspirants can start their medical practice as internists. Some internists pursue further specialization in cardiology, critical care, hematology, etc., thus extending their education longer. 

Besides medical know-how, critical problem-solving abilities are essential for an internist to diagnose conditions and decide on surgical treatments. Good communication skills are also crucial, as internists must speak to patients effectively and provide comfort when necessary. 

What are the subspecialties in internal medicine?

The American Board of Internal Medicine provides the following subspecialties in internal medicine:

• Adolescent medicine: A cross-disciplinary healthcare specializing in adolescents' distinct physical, psychological, and social attributes.
• Adult congenital heart disease: Assessing and providing exceptional, lifelong healthcare for diverse adult patients with heart conditions identified since birth.
• Advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology: Assessing and overseeing patients with heart failure, especially those with progressive conditions and individuals utilizing devices such as ventricular assist devices.
• Cardiovascular disease: Handling intricate cardiac issues, including heart attacks and potentially life-threatening irregular heart rhythms.
• Clinical cardiac electrophysiology: An area of particular focus within the subspecialty of cardiovascular disease characterized by intricate technical procedures used to assess heart rhythms and determine suitable treatment strategies.
• Critical care medicine: These internists diagnose, treat, and assist patients in acute and grave conditions, especially trauma patients and individuals experiencing dysfunction across multiple organs.
• Endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism: Treatment of hormone-related disorders, metabolic diseases, and endocrine gland neoplasia.
• Gastroenterology: Management of diseases affecting the digestive organs like the stomach, intestines, liver, and gallbladder.
• Geriatric medicine: Expertise in the aging process, specialization in diagnosing, treating, preventing, and rehabilitating illnesses in older adults.
• Hematology: Management of blood, spleen, and lymphatic system disorders.  
• Hospice and palliative medicine: Care for patients with life-limiting conditions; collaboration within a multidisciplinary hospice or palliative care team to enhance the quality of life.
• Infectious disease: Treatment of infectious diseases affecting various organ systems; judiciously using antibiotics to address specific conditions.
• Interventional cardiology: Specialists use specialized imaging and diagnostic methods to assess blood flow and pressure in the heart's chambers and coronary arteries, addressing anomalies hindering the cardiovascular system's proper functioning.
• Medical oncology: Diagnosis and treatment of various forms of cancer and both benign and malignant tumors; administering therapy for malignancies; collaborating with surgeons and radiation therapists to explore additional treatment avenues.
• Nephrology: Involves management of kidney disorders, hypertension, fluid and mineral equilibrium, and waste removal through dialysis when the kidney function is impaired.
• Neurocritical care: Comprehensive, multi-system care for critically ill patients with neurological diseases and conditions.
• Pulmonary disease: Management of lung and airway diseases; diagnosing and managing conditions such as cancer, pneumonia, pleurisy, asthma, occupational and environmental ailments, bronchitis, sleep disorders, emphysema, and various intricate lung disorders.
• Rheumatology: Management of joint, muscle, bone, and tendon conditions; addressing ailments like arthritis, back pain, muscle strains, typical sports injuries, and collagen-related diseases.
• Sleep medicine: Diagnosis and handling of clinical conditions that manifest during sleep, disrupt sleep, or are influenced by disturbances in the sleep-wake cycle.
• Sports medicine: Averting, diagnosing, and treating injuries that result from sports and physical activity.
• Transplant hepatology: Specialists care for patients before and after hepatic transplantation, covering all stages of the liver transplant process.

What conditions do internists treat?

Internists have a lot of knowledge about treating adult diseases. Some of the conditions that internists treat are:

1. Abdominal pain: Various reasons can be behind abdominal pain, from a stomach virus or muscle strain to appendicitis and some cancers. Internists can diagnose the reason behind your abdominal pain and prescribe the necessary treatment depending on the diagnosis.
2. Chest pain: Chest pain can occur for various reasons. Relatively less severe reasons, like acid reflux or anxiety, can cause chest pain. In some situations, chest pain can also be a symptom of heart attacks. Internists can determine the cause of your chest pain and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
3. Chronic diseases: Internists can monitor your treatment for chronic ailments like diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, etc. They can refer you to specialists if your condition deteriorates or change your medication if necessary.  

Advantages of visiting an internist near you

Choosing an internist for your primary adult healthcare offers numerous advantages, specifically for the complexities of adult health and wellness.

• Expert adult care: Internists specialize in diagnosing, treating, and managing diseases that affect adults, excluding surgical procedures—their extensive education and training focus on understanding complex adult illnesses. Internists can also coordinate care with other specialists as needed, ensuring you receive the best treatment while considering your communication preferences and compatibility.
• Comprehensive and preventive care: Internal medicine physicians prioritize building enduring relationships with patients and gathering detailed medical and family histories. This continuity enables early identification and management of health issues over time. Regular visits to your internist cover not only immediate health concerns but also preventive measures like routine checkups, screenings, and vaccinations.
• Continuity of care for a lifetime: Establishing care with an internist can provide lifelong support. This consistency allows for ongoing management of chronic conditions and timely interventions for early disease detection, significantly improving quality of life. For instance, if diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, your internist can create a personalized treatment plan involving weight management and lifestyle adjustments, fostering achievable health goals and providing ongoing support for sustained progress.

By choosing an internist, you benefit from a healthcare provider who understands the distinct needs of adults and can offer specialized care tailored to your health profile. This comprehensive approach not only addresses existing health concerns but also emphasizes preventive measures and long-term health management strategies, ensuring your well-being throughout your adult life.

What can you expect from a visit to the internist?

If you've never visited an internist, you should learn what to expect from a consultation.

Here's what you can expect your internist to do during your visit:

• Evaluating your general appearance, posture, and gait. 
• Check your heartbeat. It is for checking irregularities in your heartbeat or unusual sounds. 
• Monitor your breathing and check for wheezing, crackles, and breath shortness. 
• See your fingers and nails. 
• Check your eyes, nose, ears, throat, and mouth. 

What common tests do internists use to diagnose illnesses? 

Depending on your symptoms, current health situation, and medical and family history, your internist may recommend a number of varied tests to determine the root cause of your condition. 

Although a physical exam plays a small role in internal medicine diagnosis since the problem usually resides inside the body, certain adult diseases do have visible symptoms. For example, in cancer, lumps are felt underneath the skin.  

Do note that internal medicine has many different subspecialties, so doctors within each specialty are more likely to use their own precise tests and procedures. While certain tests, such as blood tests, are constant across all subspecialties, some may be specific to one specialty. For example, a cardiologist may recommend an electrocardiogram to diagnose a heart condition. 

So, here are some common types of tests that internal medicine doctors recommend: 

• Blood tests: Blood tests can let an internist know about a patient's overall health status. In addition to confirming an individual's diagnosis, it can also evaluate how their organs are. Blood tests reveal the malfunctioning of organs like the heart, liver, kidneys, and thyroid. Further, they can help detect markers of diseases and health conditions like HIV, anemia, cancer, diabetes, and coronary heart disease. A highly common blood test is a CBC or complete blood count test. This measures different components of your blood and includes red blood cell levels (which can be helpful in diagnosing anemia or dehydration), white blood cell levels (which could diagnose an infection, blood cancer, or an immune system disorder), and platelet levels (which may signify a clotting disorder or a bleeding disorder).
• Lipid panel: Also known as a coronary risk panel or cholesterol panel, this blood test is another standard tool used to measure the amount of lipids (fat molecules) in the blood. This includes triglycerides and your total cholesterol comprising low-density lipoprotein or LDL ( or bad cholesterol that raises your risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke), very low-density lipoprotein ( or VLDL), and high-density lipoprotein (or HDL).
• Urine tests: A urinalysis is a group of tests that measures blood cells, proteins, and other substances found in the urine. It's used to detect urinary tract infections and other infections in the body, cancer, blood in the pee or hematuria, liver or bile duct issues, kidney damage, and gestational diabetes. 
• Imaging tests: Tests such as CT scans, MRIs, X-rays, and ultrasounds are helpful not only in diagnosing injuries and illnesses but also in helping doctors monitor existing conditions and whether a treatment is effective or not. Moreover, imaging also guides medical professionals in performing various procedures, including stent and catheter placements, biopsies, and cancer treatments directly targeting tumors. 

Find the right internist near you in Denver, CO

People generally stick with their internists since they are trained to manage complex chronic conditions over time. Finding the right internist is thus essential when you want to monitor your health. 

Besides studying an internist's qualifications, other factors such as proximity and health insurance coverage are also vital. Having an internist doctor is crucial, and so is ensuring that your consultation is within your health insurance coverage. Finding internists who meet all your criteria can take time and effort. 

Zocdoc is a service that enables you to find doctors and book appointments online. All you need to do is open the website and enter the type of specialist you want to consult. In addition, enter your location and the details of your health insurance plan. Once you enter the details, Zocdoc will generate a list of doctors that meet your specifications. If your insurance plan isn't listed on Zocdoc, you have options to ensure your coverage is recognized. You can attempt to upload a photo of your medical insurance card, and we'll scan it to identify your likely plan. Please note that this functionality is only applicable to medical insurance cards, not vision or dental. If you encounter difficulties uploading the image, Zocdoc's service team is available to assist you. You can visit Zocdoc's patient help center for any more insurance-related questions.

You can further personalize the doctor discovery process using filters. These filters include mode of appointment, the reason for consultation, specialty, availability, distance, time slot availability, hospital affiliation, language proficiency, gender preference, and pediatric care. These filters allow you to quickly find internists near you who meet your exact criteria. In the list, you'll also see how other patients have rated and reviewed each doctor. In addition, you can view each doctor's profile and consider their specializations and qualifications. 

All Zocdoc bookings are simple, secure, and free. 

Internist and health statistics in Denver and Colorado

Since internists treat various adult conditions, we can understand their impact and importance by viewing Denver and Colorado's general chronic health disease statistics. 

The Country Health Rankings & Roadmaps states that Denver is the 23rd healthiest county in Colorado out of 64 counties. The same source shows that the city has lower adult obesity and adult smoking than the state and national average. 

On a statewide level, about 6.9% of Colorado residents have diabetes, according to a 2022 American Diabetes Association report. The same source also states that around 117,000 people in the state have diabetes but don't know it yet. More alarmingly, the report suggests that about 32.9% of the state's population has pre-diabetes blood glucose levels, and about 34,291 people are diagnosed with diabetes every year. 

Regarding other chronic conditions, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2021 that 4.1% of Coloradans had experienced a myocardial infarction (heart attack) or coronary heart disease.

Sources 

WebMD

St. George's University

Medical News Today

Indeed

Raleigh Medical Group

County Health Rankings & Roadmaps

American Diabetes Association 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

American College of Physicians

American Board of Internal Medicine

Intercoastal Medical Group

Center for Adult Medicine and Preventive Care[1]

Center for Adult Medicine and Preventive Care[2]

Healthline

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Cleveland Clinic[1]

Cleveland Clinic[2]

Johns Hopkins Medicine

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.