Who are internists?
Internists are internal medicine specialists who treat ailments affecting the body's internal organs. They are medical professionals who exclusively treat adults. Unlike family doctors, who treat people of all ages, internists do not treat children or teenagers. Some internists also choose to specialize in specific areas of medicine, such as cardiology, oncology, rheumatology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, etc.
They can practice in offices, clinics, or hospital intensive care units. Internal medicine is a vast field requiring specialized knowledge about multiple conditions. It becomes necessary as most of their patients are long-term, and during such periods, they may develop numerous issues that need to be addressed by their internist. For example, an internist can help their patient manage diabetes.
Internal medicine specialists can also tend to ear infections or cases of flu in the same patient. Additionally, they can help their patients with ancillary conditions that arise due to diabetes, such as hypertension and increased cholesterol. Thus, internists regularly coordinate their patients' care and continue to update and optimize treatment methodologies to cater to dynamic symptoms.
To become an internist, one must complete their undergraduate degree or undergo three years of college studying subjects like biology or chemistry. They must then clear the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) to enter a medical school. There, they receive four-year-long medical training and education.
Subsequently, they must undertake a general internal medicine residency for at least three years. This program helps them gain hands-on training and experience. During the first year of this program, all internists must also appear for specific licensure examinations. Finally, some doctors might seek a subspecialization by doing a fellowship.
Internal medicine subspecialties
After completing an internal medicine residency, a doctor's career options are practicing general internal medicine or sub-specializing in a particular subset of the field. As per the American Board of Internal Medicine, an internist can get certified in:
- Cardiovascular disease: Following additional training beyond the fundamental cardiovascular disease fellowship, doctors may get advanced certification in interventional cardiology (invasive diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease), cardiac failure and transplant cardiology (handling of advanced heart failure), cardiac electrophysiology (evaluation and treatment of dysrhythmias).
- Endocrinology: This branch of medicine covers disorders of the endocrine and metabolic systems (including diabetes).
- Gastroenterology: It revolves around studying the digestive tract, liver, and gallbladder). Doctors can further specialize in hepatology, an advanced training in gastroenterology that focuses on treating chronic liver disease.
- Hematology: This field focuses on treating patients with diseases of the lymphatic, bone marrow, and blood systems).
The American Board of Internal Medicine certifies the following subspecialties in collaboration with other specialty boards:
- Adolescent medicine (medical treatment for teenagers and young adults).
- Critical care medicine (involves the care of patients in intensive care).
- Geriatric medicine (care for older adults).
- Hospice and Palliative medicine (care for terminally ill patients).
- Neurocritical Care (care for severe neurological conditions).
- Sleep medicine (addresses sleep disturbances and sleep disorders)
- Sports medicine (care for sports-related issues).
- Allergy and Immunology (science of allergies and the immune system).
Additional training programs exist, such as Women's Health. Women's health strongly emphasizes gaining knowledge of health problems that are specific to women, more prevalent in women, or may manifest uniquely in women, including routine gynecologic care, menstrual dysfunction, STIs in women, etc.
How can your internist help manage your diabetes?
An internist near you can help you manage your diabetes so you can live a more fulfilling and healthy lifestyle. They can do so by:
- Devising possible diet plans: In diabetes patients, insulin production is not as it should be. This necessitates watching your food intake—eating a healthy diet, monitoring portion sizes, etc. Your internist will discuss your dietary habits and preferences and devise a customized plan. Some suggestions include adding fruits, vegetables, whole grains, or lean protein to your diet or steering clear of soda, candy, shellfish, etc.
- Helping manage daily blood sugar levels: Your internist will let you know the best practices to monitor and manage your blood sugar daily. You might have to use a small lancet to prick yourself a few times throughout the day and test a drop of blood for your sugar levels. It can help you determine the correct insulin dosage you must take. Additionally, your internist will guide you on preventing blood sugar spikes, i.e., rising blood sugar to unhealthy levels.
- Monitoring potential complications: Diabetes can lead to many other problems, such as cardiovascular, hearing, or foot issues. An internal medicine doctor will help you understand the risks accompanying your diabetes. They will also track the progression of your condition and flag potential problems early on.
- Checking on your holistic health: An internist looks after their patients' physical, mental, and emotional health. Through regular physicals, they will try to ensure that the diabetes is not affecting the other parts of your body. They will also work towards your health and strength maintenance by recommending lifestyle changes and adopting healthier habits like quitting alcohol.
Important tips to keep in mind while selecting an internist
Having a healthcare provider who offers continuity of care across all stages of your life is crucial. They not only help patients get timely preventive care and maintain overall health but also help patients save on future medical costs.
Here are some tips that you should consider and verify when choosing an internist:
- It is vital that you first check a provider's credentials and educational background before consulting them. This may not always be possible, especially in an emergency scenario where a doctor will be assigned to your case. However, you can verify credentials if you are switching providers or changing your location/job. A medical doctor should have an MD (doctor of medicine) qualification or a DO (doctor of osteopathic medicine). They must also be licensed in the state where they practice. You may also verify a doctor's board certification. The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) has 24 Member Boards that certify doctors in 38 specialties and 89 subspecialties. This includes certifying practitioners in areas like family medicine, internal medicine, preventive medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and pediatrics.
- If you plan on paying through your insurance, choose an internist who participates in your health plan. Several health insurance providers limit your choice to a list of doctors and require you to select a doctor from their list. Ensure you contact your insurance carrier for such information. If you do not have insurance and are paying out of pocket, you should understand the costs before scheduling an appointment.
- Some internists are general practitioners, whereas others choose to specialize in one particular organ system in the body. These include neurology, gastroenterology, oncology, etc. When selecting an internist, you can choose one specifically for your condition and symptoms.
- Location is another critical factor in choosing your healthcare provider. Check if the internist's office is located close to your home, office, or school. If your area lacks primary care offices, you may also want to check for other facilities such as community health clinics, hospital emergency rooms, and public clinics instead of primary care physician offices.
- Check if your doctor's office has options like an online patient hub, where you can schedule doctor appointments, ask for prescription refills, complete all required forms, and communicate with the doctor's office. It's also good to know whether minor procedures or tests, such as X-rays, will be performed in the doctor's clinic or in a lab facility elsewhere.
- Ask your physician's office if they offer assistance for issues that may occur after hours, provide referrals, and if a medical query can be answered over the phone or online.
- Before choosing any healthcare provider, you must also check if they accommodate your particular health needs. An individual's age, gender, life experiences, disability status, trauma, abuse, and specific medical conditions present unique health challenges that any provider must be well-informed about and prepared to accommodate. Providers offering Inclusive healthcare provide care that is not based on assumptions or stereotypes. It includes equal care for patients regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, abilities, and economic status.
How can you prepare for an internist appointment?
When you are going to visit an internist near you for the first time, you may be wondering how you can prepare for the appointment to make the most of it. Refer to the pre-appointment preparation checklist given below, follow all the steps, and walk into your doctor's clinic confidently:
- List your concerns: Your internist's first question will be, "What brings you to the appointment today?" Therefore, you should have a comprehensive list of everything you want to discuss with the provider in the correct order of priority. List all your concerns and bring them up one by one.
- Document your symptoms: Write down your symptoms in detail, including when they started, how severe they are, what triggers them, what makes them better or worse, how they are affecting your everyday life, and whether any treatments have helped in the past.
- Gather your personal and family history: During the first appointment, the internist will want to get an overview of your medical history, including your past and current health issues, allergies, injuries, surgeries, alternate treatments, and recent lab or imaging results. So, remember to carry your medical records. If that would be a hassle, you can also write down a one-page summary of your medical history. Similarly, your internist may ask about your family history, so know the diseases in your family.
- Collect your medications: If you currently take any prescription or over-the-counter medications, supplements, or herbal medicines, carry them with you. Alternatively, you can also list them down for your doctor's reference.
- Make a list of your questions: Meeting your internist allows you to address your health concerns. Do you need help eating healthy, quitting smoking, or starting an exercise routine? Do you need more clarity on preventive checkups? Do you need healthy coping strategies for stress? Prepare a list of all your queries and bring them up during your appointment.
- Prepare for paperwork: Before you meet with your internist, you will likely need to complete some paperwork. Gather your photo ID, emergency contact information, insurance card, and preferred method of payment.
Finding a top-rated internist near you in Miami, Florida
Most adults looking to engage with the healthcare system first contact their internists. Based on their advice and guidance, they see a specialist or continue being treated by the internist as their primary care provider. This association with a practitioner is often long-term and extends to all adults of a family unit. This relationship allows an internist to create comprehensive and customized care plans after accounting for factors such as family history, lifestyle, etc. Thus, finding a practitioner you are comfortable with and can trust becomes essential. Zocdoc can help you in this endeavor.
Using its easy-to-navigate interface, you can look for an internal medicine doctor by entering the details of your symptoms or area of residence on Zocdoc. Zocdoc will then produce a list of nearby practitioners that meet your needs. By browsing this list, you can learn about their licensure, awards, accreditations, educational backgrounds, areas of expertise, and experience. Zocdoc also lets you know about the insurance plans they accept, the languages they speak, whether or not they treat children, etc.
If you do not have a health plan, do not worry! You can continue your booking without adding your insurance information. Acknowledge that you will be paying out-of-pocket by selecting the option "I'm paying for myself." This way, you'll get a list of providers who accept patients without insurance. Similarly, you can go through the same steps if you have a health plan but want to avoid using it to book your appointment. Read more insurance FAQs on the Zocdoc patient help center page.
After creating a shortlist, you can take your final pick by relying on reviews left by previous patients. These are trustworthy due to routine verifications by Zocdoc. Once you have decided upon a practitioner, you can book an in-person or virtual appointment via Zocdoc - directly, securely, and at no extra cost.
Internal medicine statistics in Miami, Florida
The Florida Department of Health's 2020-21 survey findings indicated that internal medicine has the highest number of physicians offering direct patient care in the state. The Department's data revealed that there were around 15,339 internists in the state, making up nearly 28.2% of the workforce. The report also found that approximately 83% of all primary care physicians in Florida specialize in internal medicine.
According to FL Health Charts published by the Florida Department of Health in Miami Dade County, where Miami is located, there were around 1,422 active internal medicine physicians in 2020. It implies that the rate of internists in the county was about 49.6. It was a slight increase from the 1,413 practitioners recorded in 2019.
Sources
MedicalNewsToday
Florida Department of Health
Memorial Regional Health
FL Health Charts
Johnson Memorial Health
American College of Physicians
Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials
Indus Medical Associates
Zocdoc
Parkland Community Health Plan
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
WebMD[3]
Verywell Health
Certification Matters[1]
Certification Matters[2]
Healthline
Medical Board of California
Stanford Medicine 25
