Who is an internist?
Internists are often called doctors of internal medicine. These doctors treat only adult patients. They undergo training to diagnose health issues affecting internal organs and help manage long-term illnesses. An internist can provide preventive care and treat skin rashes, ear infections, and chronic diseases. A person can also choose an internist as a primary care physician or family doctor because they can treat a broad spectrum of diseases.
What kind of education and training do internists receive?
To become a certified internist, an individual must clear the Medical College Admission Test to get admission to a medical school. Doctors undergo residency training in medicinal practices and structured study for four years. Residency training is compulsory for internists in the US to practice medicine. Internists must also pass a licensure examination by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. The licensure examination is essential for working in their respective states.
Subspecialties of an internist
Some internists choose subspecialties to treat special medical needs. Subspecialists focus on specific diseases, organ systems, or patient populations. To become board-certified, one must complete the appropriate fellowship after residency and pass the relevant American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) certification exam. Here are some of these subspecialties:
1. Adolescent medicine: Works with patients aged 10-25, addressing primary care, reproductive health, eating disorders, chronic illness, and sports medicine.
2. Adult congenital heart disease: Cares for patients with heart defects, often coordinating long-term care with other healthcare professionals.
3. Advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology: Manages advanced heart failure and post-transplant care, often consulting other physicians.
4. Allergy and immunology: Diagnoses and treats asthma, allergies, and immunologic disorders in patients of all ages.
5. Cardiovascular disease: Treats heart and blood vessel diseases, focusing on treatment and preventive measures.
6. Clinical cardiac electrophysiology: Manages complex heart rhythm disorders using devices like pacemakers.
7. Critical care medicine: Diagnoses and treats critically ill patients, often in ICUs, sometimes coupled with pulmonology or nephrology.
8. Endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism: Treats endocrine gland issues, including hormonal and metabolic disorders.
9. Gastroenterology: Addresses digestive organ conditions, performing various medical procedures.
10. Geriatric medicine: Focuses on elderly patients, managing complex medical issues related to aging.
11. Hematology: Treats blood disorders such as hemophilia, anemia, and leukemia.
12. Hospice and palliative medicine: Provides end-of-life care, focusing on comfort and quality of life.
13. Hospital medicine: Cares for hospitalized patients, manages very ill patients, and coordinates care.
14. Infectious disease: Diagnoses and treats diseases caused by microorganisms, like hepatitis and HIV.
15. Interventional cardiology: Uses specialized techniques to evaluate and treat heart diseases requiring catheter-based procedures.
16. Medical oncology: Treats cancer and non-cancerous tumors, often developing close relationships with patients.
Is there any difference between an internist and a general doctor?
General doctors and internists are very similar because both provide primary care treatment. However, the critical difference is that internists treat only adult patients, whereas general practitioners treat patients of all ages, including adolescents and children. Internists undergo training in internal medicine, but general practitioners train in internal medicine and many other medical treatment types.
When should I see an internist?
You can visit an internist near you to find the root cause of the health problem you are experiencing. However, if you've selected an internist as a primary care doctor, you can visit for a routine check-up and get preventive care treatment. Here are some more reasons to see internists:
- Abdominal pain: It can occur due to various reasons, such as stomach virus, muscle strain, acute appendicitis, and more. Visiting an internist can help you identify the reason for the pain so you can receive the appropriate care.
- Chest pain: This is another common reason to seek an internist. Sometimes, chest pain can occur due to acid reflux and anxiety and may be an early symptom of a heart attack. Visiting an internist can help to diagnose the real problem and get better treatment.
- Allergic reactions: These can occur due to different allergens. Some reactions can be dangerous, such as latex allergies and peanut allergies, as they can even result in anaphylactic shock. It is essential to see an internist to know the reason for the allergic reaction.
- High blood pressure: Hypertension can damage organs, nerves, and the cardiovascular system. If you have high blood pressure, you must visit an internist for the proper treatment.
- High cholesterol: If you have a problem with high cholesterol, it is essential to visit an internist regularly. High cholesterol can result in a heart attack and may block veins. Internists can manage the condition properly with proper treatment.
How can an internal medicine doctor assist in diabetes treatment?
Your internist plays a pivotal role in helping you effectively manage diabetes, thereby enabling you to lead a healthier and more fulfilling life. Here's how they can assist you:
- Tailoring dietary plans: Because diabetes disrupts insulin production and utilization, careful nutritional management is essential. Your internist will assess your eating habits and preferences and create a personalized diet plan. This plan may include incorporating healthier calories like vegetables and fruits while avoiding sugary beverages, candies, and certain high-sugar foods.
- Blood sugar monitoring: Your internist will guide you on monitoring and managing your daily blood sugar levels. This vigilance usually involves using a lancet to obtain small blood samples throughout the day. By tracking these levels, you can determine the appropriate insulin dosage required. Additionally, your internist will provide advice on preventing unhealthy blood sugar spikes.
- Preventing complications: Diabetes can cause various complications, such as cardiovascular issues, hearing problems, or foot ailments. Your internist will educate you about these risks and monitor your condition's progression. Early identification of cases of complications allows for timely intervention and management.
- Comprehensive health oversight: Internists take a holistic approach to healthcare, addressing each patient’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Through routine physical examinations, they ensure that diabetes is not adversely affecting other aspects of your health. They also promote well-being by recommending lifestyle adjustments and encouraging healthier habits like alcohol cessation.
What are the benefits of visiting an internist?
In addition to addressing immediate health concerns, internal medicine doctors play a vital role in evaluating a person's risk of complex health issues and their overall well-being. Here are several reasons why consulting an internist can be beneficial:
- Internists are experts in treating adults: Internists treat adults and elderly patients, helping them manage complex health conditions that do not require surgical intervention.
- Help accurately diagnose complex conditions: Internists can extensively train in one or more areas of medicine, such as gastroenterology, cardiology, infectious diseases, and hematology. This allows them to effectively prevent, manage, and diagnose a wide range of complex illnesses in adults. They can effectively manage several diagnostic problems and multiple uncontrolled symptoms simultaneously and see patients with comorbidities who have trouble getting a diagnosis. An internist's in-depth knowledge of connections inside and outside of the adult human body allows them to effectively piece together multiple factors like a patient's lifestyle, symptoms, existing conditions, and medications to quickly arrive at an accurate diagnosis. Further, this allows them to provide patients with a more effective treatment plan compared to treatment given by a general or family practitioner.
- Internists offer preventive medical care in a timely manner: This includes services like adult checkups, vaccinations, screenings, and immunizations. They also advise patients on how they can make healthier lifestyle choices.
- Internists provide life-long support for chronic conditions: Internists frequently help patients manage long-term illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, cancer, obesity, and heart disease. Individuals who see their internist regularly are better positioned to manage their chronic conditions and receive lifesaving treatment if a condition is detected in its early stages.
- Internists effectively communicate with patients: Since internists are highly knowledgeable in specific areas of medicine, they thoroughly explain to patients their condition. They adequately address each patient's concern and answer all questions one may have about their condition and treatment. They also help patients get additional treatment if they require help that falls into another internist's area of expertise.
- Internists build long-term relationships with their patients and provide care throughout their lifetime: Patients can choose an internist as their primary care practitioner. Internists aim to offer accessible primary as well as specialty care. They get to know a patient's family and medical history in detail. Continuing care with the same internist builds a long-term partnership, which is ideal for the early detection of diseases and preventive care services.
How to prepare for your first visit to an internal medicine doctor?
When you're feeling unwell, it's easy to become entangled in the challenges of securing a doctor's appointment. However, rushing this process may lead to a less productive medical visit. Before heading to your internist, take a few moments to prepare adequately for your appointment. Here are some tips to get you started:
- When booking your appointment, provide the doctor's office with clear information about the reason for your visit.
- If this is your first visit to the doctor, anticipate inquiries about your medical history. Bring along your past medical records and a list of medications you're currently taking, including dosage information.
- During your appointment, communicate all details about your symptoms, including when they began and how they have progressed over time.
- Following the evaluation and examination, your internist may diagnose you and customize a suitable treatment plan. Ensure you ask any questions and fully understand the treatment plan, especially if it involves new medications.
- Remember to inquire about the need for a follow-up appointment. These follow-up visits will assist your doctor in assessing the progress of your condition.
It is essential to recognize that each doctor's visit is unique and contingent upon the health issue. However, by preparing for your appointment, you enhance your likelihood of obtaining the necessary guidance and care from your doctor.
What can you expect during a visit to an internist near you?
Depending on your situation, an internist will examine your vitals and ask general questions to determine your problem's leading cause. In some chronic disease cases, the doctor may question your medical history. Following a consultation and physical examination, the internist can perform a clinical test to identify the condition and select a treatment based on the screening test.
Internists can monitor the heart rate, cholesterol, blood pressure, skin inspection, strange noises, and shortness of breath. Follow-up consultations with an internist help you manage your chronic health condition and advise whether you need more advanced medical care.
How do I find the right internist in Tampa, Florida?
An internal medicine doctor acts as a primary care treatment provider with whom you can consult about your condition. They either recommend a specialist or provide a custom healthcare plan based on consultation and diagnosis. Thus, finding the best internist whom people can trust is imperative.
Zocdoc can assist you in finding a qualified internist in Tampa, Florida. Our website features an easy-to-use layout; just enter "internist" and "Tampa" and filter your search based on gender, hospital affiliations, languages spoken, and insurance accepted. Zocdoc will provide a personalized list of the top internists in your area with a simple click. Before scheduling an appointment, you can learn about any doctor's credentials, license, educational background, experience, specialization, board certifications, and awards/certifications through their dedicated profiles.
Zocdoc can also help you identify internists who accept your insurance. If you need help finding internists near you who accept your insurance, Zocdoc's online patient help center is available. On Zocdoc, you can link your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account. Please note that each appointment can only use one insurance plan. For those with multiple insurance plans, you can include your secondary insurance details in the appointment notes. Additionally, if your provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can easily enter your secondary insurance information there.
Once you've narrowed down a few internists based on your needs, browse the reviews and ratings from previous patients. This will help you to make an informed choice. You can also use Zocdoc to schedule an appointment online.
Finding an internist near you and booking an appointment on Zocdoc is safe, easy, and free!
Diabetes in Florida
As per the Florida Department of Health's Florida Health Chart estimates, in 2021, roughly 10,229 internal medicine physicians were accessible to over 100,000 people.
According to the American Diabetes Association, about 2,071,045 people in Florida have been diagnosed with diabetes. The report also says that over 546,000 people in Florida are unaware of their diabetes. Furthermore, 35.7% of people have prediabetes, which is characterized by high blood sugar levels but has not yet been diagnosed as diabetes. Diabetes also affects approximately 131,244 people every year in Florida.
Sources
Florida Department of Health
American Diabetes Association
Medical News Today
WebMD
American College of Physician[1]
Johnson Memorial Health
Kavita Rao M.D.
St. George's University
Center for Adult Medicine and Preventive Care
Intercoastal Medical Group
Duke Health
HJ Hospitals
American College of Physicians[2]
