What is an internist?
An internist is a medical expert specializing in treating conditions affecting the heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver, among other internal organs. Internists provide primary medical care to patients aged 18 years and older. The first point of contact for an adult patient typically is an internist. They frequently care for people with complicated, enduring, and multisystem ailments.
According to the American Medical Association, internists, like primary care physicians, also concentrate on preventing disease, drug misuse, mental illnesses, and treating common conditions affecting the nervous system, reproductive organs, eyes, ears, and skin. When practicing internal medicine, medical practitioners combine clinical diagnoses of several common and challenging ailments with a specialized and empathetic approach to treatment.
Education and training of internists
The education and medical training required to become an internist are extensive and rigorous. The first step is to complete a pre-medical undergraduate degree, which typically takes four years. After completing a pre-medical degree, aspirants must attend medical school for four years. During this time, they study various subjects, including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and medical ethics.
Internists must then complete a three-year residency program in internal medicine. Here, they receive hands-on training in internal medicine, including patient care, diagnosis, and treatment of adult diseases. They also train in different medical specialties, such as cardiology, gastroenterology, and infectious diseases, to better understand adult health.
After completing their residency program, internists may pursue further specialization through a fellowship program typically lasting two to three years. These fellowships are available in various areas, including cardiology, gastroenterology, and oncology. The final step involves obtaining a medical license as per their state requirements. Internists must maintain their licensure by completing continuing education requirements and passing regular examinations.
What are the various internal medicine subspecialties?
Internists can focus on any of the various internal medicine subspecialties. Some of the internal medicine subspecialties they can specialize in include the following:
1. Endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism: Deals with hormone-related issues such as diabetes and thyroid problems.
2. Allergy and immunology: Focuses on allergies, asthma, and immune system disorders.
3. Cardiovascular disease: Specializes in heart conditions like heart disease and irregular heartbeats.
4. Clinical cardiac electrophysiology: Concentrates on diagnosing and treating heart rhythm abnormalities.
5. Interventional cardiology: Addresses heart problems using minimally invasive procedures without surgery.
6. Hematology: Deals with blood disorders like anemia and leukemia.
7. Medical oncology: Specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
8. Pulmonary disease: Focuses on lung conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
9. Gastroenterology: Deals with digestive system issues, including ulcers and liver disease.
10. Nephrology: Focuses on kidney diseases and treatments like dialysis and transplantation.
11. Rheumatology: Addresses conditions affecting joints, muscles, and bones like arthritis.
12. Neurocritical care: Manages severe brain and nerve disorders, often in intensive care units.
13. Critical care medicine: Specializes in caring for critically ill patients, typically in intensive care units.
14. Hospital medicine: Focuses on the care of hospitalized patients.
15. Adolescent medicine: Addresses the health needs of teenagers, including mental health and substance abuse issues.
16. Geriatric medicine: Focuses on the health and care of elderly individuals.
17. Sleep medicine: Deals with sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea.
18. Sports medicine: Specializes in treating and preventing sports-related injuries.
19. Advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology: Manages advanced heart failure and post-transplant care.
20. Transplant hepatology: Focuses on liver and digestive organ diseases, particularly in transplant patients.
21. Hospice and palliative medicine: Provides care and support for individuals with life-limiting illnesses, focusing on comfort and quality of life.
22. Infectious disease: Deals with diagnosing and treating infectious illnesses which can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens.
23. Adult congenital heart disease: Specializes in caring for adults born with heart defects, ensuring appropriate management and treatment.
Tests, procedures, and surgeries performed by internists
Internists undergo training to perform or order various types of medical procedures. The use of these varies significantly by specialty, diagnosis, and treatment. These standard procedures include venipuncture (to draw blood for tests), intravenous line insertion, urinary catheter placement, and arterial puncture to analyze blood gasses.
Internists use other complex and sometimes more invasive categories of tests and procedures for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Following are some examples of such methods:
- Skin testing and rhinoscopy for allergies
- Cardiac stress testing, echocardiograms, coronary catheterization, angioplasty, stent placement, pacemakers, cardioversion, and placing intra-aortic and intraventricular devices for heart conditions
- Thyroid biopsy, dynamic hormone testing, and measurements of bone density for hormonal issues
- Upper and lower endoscopy, esophageal muscle activity test, endoscopic retrograde, stent placement, endoscopic ultrasound, and liver biopsy for digestive tract issues
- Plasmapheresis, lymph node biopsy, bone marrow biopsy, and stem cell transplant for blood and cancerous issues
- Tracheostomy installation, bronchoscopy, chest tube thoracostomy, and intubation and ventilator maintenance for respiratory conditions
- Dialysis and kidney biopsy
- Joint aspiration and therapeutic injections for bones, muscles, joints, and internal organ issues
Internists use ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to guide invasive procedures. For hard-to-reach body parts, they use flexible fiberoptic equipment.
Top reasons to visit an internist doctor near you
Most of your medical conditions, if not all, can be managed with assistance from an internal medicine physician. Other prevalent justifications for visiting an internal medicine physician include the following:
Everybody has pain concerns at some point in their lives. Some examples are back discomfort, arthritis, recurrent headaches, neck pain, etc. If you have these problems, a physician specializing in internal medicine can help you control them with physical activity, physical therapy, and medications if necessary.
- High blood pressure or diabetes:
An internal medicine doctor can help you benefit most from medications. They may add other drugs to get these conditions under control. Whether you need to start taking diabetes medication, need help managing high blood pressure or diabetes with diet and exercise, or if it has advanced and you are on several medications already, an internist would be the best to guide you.
- Exercise and dietary plans:
An internist can help you set up a plan that includes exercises and dietary instructions unique to your condition and needs.
What can you expect on your first visit to an internist doctor near you?
When visiting an internist for the first time, you may feel more relaxed if you know what to expect. Here are some common aspects of an initial consultation with an internist:
- Medical history: Your internist will likely begin by asking about your medical history, including past illnesses, surgeries, or hospitalizations. They may also ask about your family history of medical conditions.
- Physical exam: The internist will then perform a physical exam. This will include checking your reflexes, blood pressure, heart rate, and weight.
- Medications and supplements: Your provider will want to know about your current medications and/or supplements. They will also want to know about any allergies or adverse reactions to medicines you have had in the past.
- Tests and screenings: As per your medical history, they may recommend specific tests or screenings, such as blood work or imaging studies.
- Discussion of health goals: They may also ask about your health goals and concerns and discuss strategies for achieving optimal health and wellness.
- Follow-up: Before you leave, your internist will likely schedule a follow-up appointment to review test results and discuss further treatment options.
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 an important 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 is likely to 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.
Finding an internist doctor near you in Frisco, TX
An internal medicine doctor is the best person to see for any illness -- whether you have heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, lung illness, or even need to see a primary care doctor for the common cold. The number of conditions affecting the human body has dramatically increased due to lifestyle and environmental changes. Therefore, doctors emphasize the significance of a wellness examination. Visiting an internist ensures a comprehensive health assessment.
In only a few minutes, Zocdoc can connect you with the best internists in your area. Visit the Zocdoc platform to start your search based on the type of specialty you seek, your location, your insurance carrier plan, and your preferred appointment date. An extensive list of internist profiles meeting your requirements will appear immediately.
To simplify your search, you can filter your choices based on gender, the doctor's language, hospital affiliations, etc. Online consultation, a more convenient feature, is also offered by several professionals on Zocdoc. You can choose an internist from the video visits page to schedule an urgent virtual appointment.
Each expert profile describes their practice, background, training, certifications, experience, area of specialization, accolades, and awards. You can get more insight into the internist's work ethic by reading the verified reviews by past patients to help you make an informed decision.
You can schedule an appointment with an internist by following the directions on the screen after you have finalized the best internist near you for your requirements.
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.
Using Zocdoc to make reservations is simple, safe, and free.
Statistics for internist workforce and diabetes prevalence in Texas
According to a recent article by the Texas Oral Health Coalition, diabetes is among the most common ailments in Texas, and during the past ten years, that rate has climbed by 40%. By 2040, the Texas Demographic Center predicts that the number of people with diabetes will have nearly quadrupled to 8 million and that the prevalence will increase to 23.8%.
According to the same article, diabetes rates in Texas have constantly exceeded the nation's average from 1999 to 2019. Diabetes affected 12.9% of Texans in 2019 compared to 10.9% of Americans overall. As per the U.S. Diabetes Surveillance System, Rusk (13%), Nacogdoches (12.7%), and Wichita (12.3%) have the highest diabetes prevalence rates in Texas.
According to a primary care physician workforce report by the Texas Department of State Health Services, in 2020, Texas had 22,610 primary care (PC) doctors. This figure represents an increase of 13.6% from 2015 and a 29.0% rise from 2010. About 53.0% of these were men, and 47.0% of these PC doctors were women. In Texas, 14.9% of practicing PC doctors were 65 or older. Internal medicine specialists made up 7,148 of them.
Sources
American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
Castle Connolly Top Doctors
South Carolina Internal Medicine
Access Medicine
Texas Oral Health Coalition
Indus Medical Associates
WebMD
St. George’s University School of Medicine
Healthgrades
