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Who is an internist?

An internist or internal medicine physician is an expert who specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating ailments of the internal organs and systems of the body. They provide routine checkups to manage complex medical conditions. They do not perform surgery and only treat adults. 

Internists may work in private practices, clinics, or hospitals. They may also work in different care settings like rehabilitation facilities or centers for hospice care. They take the time to listen to their patient's concerns, conduct thorough exams, and develop customized treatment plans based on every individual's unique needs and goals. They are committed to providing patient-centered care. They thus often create long-lasting bonds with their patients.

Educational qualification of an internist

Becoming an internal medicine physician takes about 11 years of schooling and training. An aspirant must complete a four-year bachelor's or undergraduate degree in a pre-medical course such as biology or chemistry. They then need to enroll in medical school for a four-year program and attain their medical degree. 

After this, they must complete a residency program in internal medicine. Residency programs last at least three years, after which internists can start practicing. They may sign up for a fellowship program to specialize in a bench within internal medicine. They may obtain the board certification by qualifying for the exam conducted by the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine or the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Subspecialties of internal medicine

Each of the subspecialties within internal medicine focuses on a specific area. Some of the common subspecialties of internal medicine include:

• Cardiology: Cardiologists diagnose and treat heart and vascular system disorders. These include coronary artery disease, endocarditis, dysrhythmias, valvular heart disease, and disorders of the veins, arteries, and pulmonary circulation.
• Gastroenterology: Gastroenterologists focus on diseases and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract consisting of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, colon, and rectum.
• Pulmonology: Pulmonologists specialize in treating the respiratory system, including the chest wall, lungs, upper airways, and thoracic cavity. They commonly address chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension, interstitial and occupational lung diseases, tuberculosis, and cystic fibrosis.
• Nephrology: Nephrologists are experts in kidney-related conditions. They care for glomerular diseases (such as glomerulonephritis or nephrotic syndrome), tubulointerstitial kidney diseases, and tubular defects.
• Endocrinology: Endocrinologists deal with hormonal disorders and ailments related to the endocrine system, which include thyroid disorders, diabetes, adrenal cortex dysfunction, gonadal disease, lipid metabolism, osteoporosis, and more.
• Rheumatology: Rheumatologists focus on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and autoimmune ailments like rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory muscle diseases, polychondritis, and sports injuries.
• Hematology: Hematologists hold expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of blood-related conditions. Common conditions they manage are anemia, hematological malignancies and other clonal processes, and disorders of hemostasis, coagulation, and thrombosis.
• Oncology: Oncologists are specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. They may focus on medical oncology (treating cancer with medication) or hematology-oncology (treating blood cancers and solid tumors).
• Infectious disease: Infectious disease specialists are experts in diagnosing and managing conditions caused by viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections.

These subspecialties represent the diverse areas of expertise within internal medicine, allowing physicians to focus on specific organ systems or medical conditions. 

What are some conditions treated by internal medicine physicians?

An internist near you gets trained to diagnose and treat many medical conditions affecting adult patients. Some of the most common conditions internists treat include:

• Diabetes: These specialists can diagnose and manage diabetes, which affects how the body uses insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.
• Infectious diseases: Specific conditions include flu, influenza, pneumonia, and sexually transmitted infections.
• Cardiovascular disease: Internists can diagnose and manage high blood pressure and cholesterol, a common ailment that can increase heart disease and stroke risk. They can also diagnose and manage various heart conditions, including heart attacks, heart failure, and arrhythmias.
• Pulmonary disease: These physicians can diagnose and coordinate care for patients with respiratory system disorders, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.
• Rheumatic diseases: These specialists can diagnose and treat arthritis and other joint and bone ailments and injuries.
• Gastrointestinal diseases: Internal medicine physicians can diagnose and treat gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), ulcers, and infectious diarrhea.

How do you prepare for an appointment with an internist near you?

If you schedule an appointment to see an internist, there are several things you can do to prepare for your visit. These include:

• Write down a list of your symptoms and issues. 
• List questions about your health or medical conditions so you remember to ask them during your appointment. It will help you stay focused during the meeting and ensure that you get the information you need.
• Bring a copy of your medical history to your appointment if you have any chronic medical condition, and collect your family's medical history. 
• List your medications, including prescription drugs and any alternate treatments taken.
• Gather all relevant medical information, like any recent test results or X-rays.
• Bring a close relative or friend with you to the appointment. They can offer support during the visit.
• Jot down the doctor's contact in case of an emergency.

Difference between an internist and a family practice doctor

While there are some similarities between internal medicine and family practice, there are also crucial differences.

Family medicine covers patients of all ages, from children to adults. So, when you see a family doctor, they are trained to handle health issues affecting people at every stage of life, from infants to the elderly.

Internal medicine, on the other hand, focuses specifically on adult patients. Just like pediatricians focus on children, internal medicine doctors (internists) are dedicated to adults' unique health needs and risks throughout their lives.

Family doctors have broad training in various medical issues across all age groups. While some may have specialized training, most are focused on general outpatient care, including diagnosing and managing acute illnesses and chronic conditions and providing preventive care.

An internist near you also has general medical training, including preventive care, but their focus is solely on adults. In addition, they receive extensive education and experience in specialized areas like psychiatry, dermatology, orthopedics, infectious diseases, and more, so they can provide comprehensive care to adult patients at every stage of their lives.

Lastly, while family doctors usually provide outpatient care and may refer patients to specialists for hospital treatment, internists are more likely to treat hospital patients. They receive detailed training in outpatient and inpatient care, making them more equipped to handle hospital-based treatments.

How to find the best internist near you in Orange, California?

It is essential to consult the correct internal medicine physician to help you with your health concerns. Finding the right internist can be challenging. Zocdoc is the right platform to connect you with the best healthcare providers in just a few simple steps. 

To find a top-rated internist near you in Orange, California, simply log in on Zocdoc with your free account. Enter your symptoms or specialty of the provider (Internist), location, preferred date, and insurance details such as carrier and plan. You can further filter your search using advanced criteria like gender, hospital affiliations, and languages they speak. 

Zocdoc's insurance detector can help you identify your insurance details if unsure about them. Suppose you don't see your insurance plan listed on Zocdoc. In that case, you can upload a photo of your insurance card (this feature is only available for medical insurance, not vision or dental). We'll scan the image and show you the most likely matched plan. If you need help uploading the card image, contact our service team. You can check out Zocdoc’s insurance page for more insurance-related questions.

Once you get directed to a list of highly qualified internists, you can learn more about them through their dedicated profiles. The profiles include a brief introduction and background of the provider, including their education, expertise, experience, practice location, board certification, and even the awards they have won. 

You can also read the patient reviews while choosing your specialist. Zocdoc follows a closed-loop review system. The patient reviews are accurate and verified and can help you make an informed decision. On Zocdoc, you can also book video or online consultations before in-person visits. The purple video icon on the doctor's profiles will help you identify which ones offer online consultations. 

Book appointments with a top-rated internist near you who accepts your insurance in real time! All appointment bookings on Zocdoc are fast, free, and secure!

Cardiovascular disease and internal medicine physician statistics in California, United States

America's Health Rankings (2019-2020) highlights that the percentage of women between ages 18 and 44 who reported having experienced a cardiovascular disease such as a heart attack, angina, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, or a stroke in the U.S. was about 2.1%. This number was around 2% in California.

Access to the best care available is essential to maintain good health. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were around 58,260 active general internal medicine physicians in the U.S. in 2021. Most of these internists (34,170) were employed in the offices of physicians, followed by general medical and surgical hospitals (17,450) and outpatient care centers (2,910). California ranked second with around 4,220 active general internal medicine physicians. These highly dedicated professionals provide patient-centered care and diagnose, treat, and prevent adult diseases across the state.

Sources

WebMD

Indus Medical Associates

America's Health Rankings

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 

American College of Physicians[1]

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Washington Township Medical Foundation

American College of Physicians[2]

American College of Physicians[3]

American College of Physicians[4]

American College of Physicians[5]

American College of Physicians[6]

American College of Physicians[7]

American College of Physicians[8]

American College of Physicians[9]

American College of Physicians[10]

American College of Physicians[11]

Matthews Internal 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.