Who is an internist?
An internist specializes in the knowledge and treatment of internal organs and bodily systems. They do not perform surgeries but can provide preventive care and treat skin rashes and ear infections. They only treat adults and have an in-depth understanding of adult health issues. They may be a primary care physician.
Internists who manage chronic illnesses build long-lasting relationships with their patients. They work in different care settings, such as rehabilitation facilities or centers for hospice care. Some internists may see their patients in independent clinics, while others only do so at hospitals. Many internists prefer to research the field than practice the profession at medical centers. Some even choose to become administrators.
What do internists do?
Internal medicine doctors, also called general internists, manage a wide array of illnesses. Some specialize in one of the subspecialties of internal medicine. Although this makes them experts in specific conditions, they are still qualified to treat several illnesses.
The patient’s relationship with internists is usually long-lasting as they care for patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases, and chronic respiratory illnesses. If your primary care physician is an internist, you will see the doctor for routine care, including wellness appointments, checkups, and screening tests that include bone density and lipid profile. You can also consult internists in case of chest and abdominal pain.
In addition to recording medical history and performing a thorough physical examination, internists are qualified to prescribe various diagnostic tests to diagnose the problem accurately. They generally order standard tests, including complete blood and urine analysis and imaging tests such as CT scan, MRI scan, and ultrasound.
If a condition is beyond the knowledge and scope of an internist, they may make speedy referrals to the right specialists to begin the necessary treatment on time. They then coordinate with the specialists to monitor treatment progress and any adverse reactions to different medications. Most internists also help in counseling patients with mental illnesses and, in general, educate and encourage everyone to make healthy lifestyle changes.
Training and education of an internist
Aspiring internists must complete at least 11 years of education. They must begin with a four-year undergraduate degree in a medicine-related field and follow it with four years of medical school. Next, they must undergo a three-year-long residency in internal medicine at a recognized medical institution. Post-residency, aspiring internists must clear a final exam to receive the American Board of Internal Medicine's official recognition.
Although not mandatory, some internists choose a subspecialty that requires one to three more years of education. Popular areas of specialization include cardiology, pulmonary disease, oncology, critical care, and hematology.
What are some of the internal medicine subspecialties?
Subspecialties in internal medicine offer specialized medical care for specific patient populations or conditions. After completing a residency, these subspecialists receive additional training and must pass certification assessments administered by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). Some internal medicine subspecialties are:
- Geriatric medicine: These specialists exclusively care for elderly patients, focusing on age-related medical complexities.
- Hospice and palliative medicine: Subspecialists provide end-of-life care and symptom management for patients with life-threatening illnesses.
- Allergy and immunology: These physicians diagnose and treat allergies, immunologic disorders, and asthma.
- Sleep medicine: As experts in sleep disorders, specialists leverage various techniques and medications to diagnose and manage conditions such as insomnia and sleep apnea. They possess in-depth knowledge of the sleep and respiratory control centers and how changes in physiology can affect patients.
- Hospital medicine: Hospitalists focus on the care of hospitalized patients, emphasizing care coordination.
- Clinical cardiac electrophysiology: These subspecialists treat complex heart rhythm disorders and utilize devices like pacemakers.
- Cardiovascular disease: Cardiologists manage heart and blood vessel disorders, emphasizing prevention.
- Advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology: Experts in advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology treat complex heart conditions, often requiring heart transplants.
- Sports medicine: Unlike orthopedics, a surgical specialty, sports medicine diagnoses and treats sports-related injuries using nonoperative techniques. Physicians also work with patients to help prevent future injuries. Sports medicine physicians can opt to work in a traditional practice setting, and athletic teams also employ them.
- Transplant hepatology: Physicians pursuing the transplant hepatology internal medicine subspecialty dedicate their careers to studying diseases resulting from transplant surgery, which affects the liver and other digestive organs. Their work involves preoperative and postoperative care, so a solid knowledge of managing transplant-related complications is essential.
- Rheumatology: Rheumatologists diagnose and treat diseases that affect joints, muscles, and related tissues. They require exceptional physical examination skills to make proper diagnoses. It's common for rheumatologists to serve as consultants for other physicians, including general internists.
Internist vs. family physician
Generally, people get confused between a family physician and an internist as both serve as primary care physicians who provide overall health management, but there is a distinct difference.
Internists focus exclusively on adults, while family physicians see people of all ages, including children and adults. Internists specialize in primary care screening and treating common adult issues, such as diabetes, hypertension, and a complex combination of conditions. Family physicians have extensive training that equips them to deal with varying health problems for the entire family, focusing on wellness, disease prevention, and chronic disease management.
Reasons to see an internist near you
You will see your internist for routine care if you choose them as your primary healthcare provider. If you have not picked them as your primary healthcare provider, you may still have to see an internist for common abdominal or chest pain problems.
Abdominal pain can result from something minor, including a muscle strain or a stomach virus. Seeing an internist is a good idea for less severe pain. In such cases, your internist can help you decide whether your discomfort is gastrointestinal or caused by something else. They may direct you to specialists if needed.
An internist can also help you with less severe chest pain. Chest pain doesn’t always indicate a heart attack; it can also result from anxiety or acid reflux. In some cases, it may exist because of a breathing issue. An internist will help diagnose the problem and refer you to specialists if needed.
Your first visit to an internist
How your first appointment with an internist near you will look depends on the nature of your medical issue. Generally, the internist will ask about your symptoms and look for vital signs. They will check your medical history, tests, and list of medications.
The internist will also conduct a physical exam to get a complete picture of your health. The components of your physical examination depend upon your case's nature. However, in usual circumstances, the internist will check your posture and movement. They will check your heartbeat for a heart murmur, irregular heartbeat, or unusual sounds. They will also listen to your breathing and check for wheezing, crackles, or shortness of breath. They might check your eyes, tongue, ears, nose, mouth, skin, nails, and throat. Based on the results, they might order some additional tests.
The internist may schedule a follow-up visit or advise you to see a specialist. In the latter case, the internist may coordinate your care with your other doctors.
Tips to avoid complications with your diabetes
Diabetes demands round-the-clock commitment, but your efforts are invaluable in reducing the risk of serious complications. Here are ten proactive strategies to actively engage in your diabetes care and foster a healthier future:
- Commit to diabetes management: Taking charge of your diabetes care involves educating yourself about the condition, integrating healthy habits into your routine, and maintaining a healthy weight. Monitor your blood sugar levels carefully and adhere to prescribed medications, seeking guidance from your healthcare team when needed.
- Avoid smoking: Steering clear of smoking or quitting altogether is paramount, as smoking exacerbates diabetes-related risks such as impaired blood circulation, heart disease, and nerve damage.
- Control blood pressure and cholesterol: Managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels through lifestyle adjustments and medication an internist doctor near you might recommend can help protect you from the risk of a heart attack and stroke.
- Schedule regular checkups: Arrange frequent diabetes checkups, yearly physicals, and routine eye exams to monitor for complications and ensure timely intervention. Foot examinations are essential for the early detection of potential issues.
- Stay vaccinated: Keeping up with recommended vaccinations, including flu, pneumonia, and hepatitis B vaccines, helps protect against preventable illnesses.
- Prioritize dental health: Proper oral hygiene and regular dental checkups are crucial to combating the heightened risk of gum infections associated with diabetes.
- Attend to foot care: Given the vulnerability of feet to complications, adopt a meticulous foot care routine to prevent infections and injuries.
- Consider aspirin therapy: Consult with your doctor about the likely benefits and risks of daily aspirin therapy to mitigate cardiovascular risks associated with diabetes.
- Moderate alcohol consumption: While avoidance of alcohol is best, if you choose to drink, do so responsibly and within recommended limits, considering its impact on blood sugar levels.
- Manage stress: Incorporating stress management techniques into your daily life, such as setting boundaries, prioritizing tasks, and practicing relaxation exercises, helps maintain a positive outlook and sustain your commitment to diabetes care.
Find the best internists near you in McKinney, Texas.
Zocdoc can help you find the top-rated internists in McKinney, Texas. Enter your location, specialty (internists), and preferred appointment date. You can also filter specialists based on gender and hospital affiliations.
Every internist has a dedicated profile on Zocdoc. The profile includes background information like educational qualifications, board certifications, clinical interests, specializations, practice history, certifications, and spoken languages. You can also check the verified patient reviews to help you make an informed decision.
Zocdoc also helps make your insurance submitting process hassle-free by letting you filter internists according to those who accept your plan. Add your insurance carrier's name in the search query to utilize the feature. If you are unsure about your insurance plan, Zocdoc's insurance detector can help you. You can use Zocdoc's insurance card capture feature to submit your medical insurance information before making an appointment. If you face any issues while uploading the image, don't hesitate to contact Zocdoc's service team for assistance. Additionally, you can check out Zocdoc's patient help center for answers to any further insurance-related queries.
Once you select the best internist doctor near you, click the book appointment option. Zocdoc will assist you in instantly booking an appointment for your first session. Zocdoc also allows you to book video appointments and in-person visits. Look for the purple video icon on your doctor's profile, or filter the video appointment selection.
All bookings with Zocdoc are entirely free, fast, and secure.
Heart disease and cancer statistics from Texas
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports heart disease as Texas's leading cause of death. Surveys for 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015 suggest a consistent ranking based on heart disease mortality in Texas, with a slightly lower mortality rate in 2019 and higher than the average rate in 2020 and 2018.
In 2019, Texas ranked 20th in the US for heart disease mortality rates. The mortality rate stood at 163.4 per 100,000, with 46,139 deaths in the state. The corresponding rank for 2020 and 2018 is 17th, with a mortality rate of 173.9 and 170 per 100,000 total population. The death toll for 2020 and 2018 stood at 50,281 and 46,763, respectively.
As per the Texas Health and Human Services Cancer in Texas 2021 report, an estimated 131,610 new cancer cases existed in Texas in 2021, of which 63,807 patients were females and 67,803 males. The most common types of cancers are breast, lung and bronchus, prostate, colon, and rectum. These four made up about 47% of all cancer diagnoses in Texas. The report found over 46,353 Texans died of cancer in 2021, of which 21,314 were females and 25,039 males. Lung and bronchus cancer proved to be the deadliest in Texas.
Sources
Medical News Today
Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials
WebMD
American College of Physicians
Garden City Hospital
Texas Department of State Health Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Mayo Clinic
St. George’s University
