With all the changes in healthcare today, you may find
it reassuring to know that there is a medical professional--the internist--who
concentrates on knowing the latest information on healthcare for adults. In
fact, if you're an adult looking for a primary care physician, or if you have a
child leaving the care of a pediatrician, an internist is an excellent choice.
Why? Because internists have a comprehensive overview of all adult body systems
and the medical problems associated with these systems. (Internists differ from
family practice physicians in that they treat only the medical problems of
adults; family practice physicians care for both children and adults).
What Procedures Do Internists Perform?
Internists monitor and treat chronic conditions including high blood
pressure and diabetes. They also conduct physical and treat minor ailments such
as a cold or sore throat. As your primary care physician, an internist will
suggest routine screening and appropriate tests based on your current health
status and history. Additionally, if you are experiencing sudden, acute
symptoms such as back or chest pains, your internist is fully qualified to
diagnose and treat the problem.
Internists Promote Prevention
A big part of an internist's work with patients involves prevention. Because
they take the time to get to know each patient, internists are able to
recommend ways to help people prevent problems that may be caused by a variety
of health risks, whether related to a patient's job, family health history or
other factors. Dealing with depression or anxiety can also begin by consulting
with an internist.
Medical Training
Becoming an internist requires completion of four years of medical school,
followed by three years of internal medicine training in a hospital and
additional training in an ambulatory care setting. (Family practice physicians,
on the other hand, spend less time training in the hospital and much more time
working in an ambulatory care setting). During this time, internists learn
about a wide variety of adult body systems through such subjects as
gastroenterology (digestive organs), cardiovascular medicine (heart and lungs),
hematology (blood, spleen and lymph nodes), oncology (cancer), infectious
diseases and critical care medicine. Physicians choosing to further specialize
in one area of internal medicine--such as cardiology--will complete and
additional two to four years of training. To become board-certified in internal
medicine, a doctor must complete a three-year residency focusing on adult body
systems and pass a rigorous two-day exam. Those who have completed their
training but have not passed the exam are considered board eligible.
Criteria in Selecting an Internist
Criteria you may wish to consider when choosing an internist include:
- fees and billing procedures
- solo or group practice and coverage arrangements when office is closed
- characteristics such as age and sex of physician; medical school
attended; years in practice and whether the physician is board eligible or
board certified
- office hours and location
- access to parking or public transportation
