What Is an Internist, and When Should You See One?

Ever heard of an internist? And no, we don't mean 'interns' in offices. People often get confused between a primary family health physician and an internist (and for good reasons). These doctors perform the same duties but have a few differences in their roles and responsibilities. Before we look at the same, consider the following statistics:

Did you know that according to data, there are over 9,304 internists currently employed in the United States? Of these, over 62.7% are women, while 37.3% are men. But who are internists? And what kind of medicine do they practice? In this blog, we will outline everything you need to know about internists—from who they are to when you should see one. Let's get going.

So, Who Exactly Is an Internist?

Also known as an internal medicine physician, an internist is someone who is a doctor of internal organs and systems (heart, kidney, lungs, liver, etc.) in the body. They should be able to manage these organs while understanding how each organ interacts with one another. They should also be able to treat and diagnose chronic and short-term diseases.

However, their specialty is not restricted to just internal organs; they come with extensive knowledge about many health conditions. In terms of training and education, an internist will need to complete:

1. A four-year undergraduate degree at a reputed university.
2. Medical school, which usually takes four years to help provide more hands-on training.
3. A three-year residency program in internal medicine at a credited hospital.
4. An exam to get the required license and become certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
5. On the off chance that the internist decides to subspecialize, they may also need one to four years of additional training in the chosen specialized field.

Additionally, some internists may want to hone their formal research skills by undergoing a Ph.D. program or a research fellowship. This is where they will need to have a good understanding of the research methods and statistics to keep up with newer, more advanced treatments. 

You can go to an internist if you want preventive care, or an ear infection or skin rash checked. Note two points of difference: One, they do not perform surgery, and two, they only treat adults.

So, What Does an Internist Do?

To address this question, we will need to look at the diverse types of internists there are:

General Internists

• Treat people for wide-ranging illnesses.
• Typically see people in their office.
• Manage chronic illnesses.
• Are known to have long-lasting relationships with their patients.

Subspecialty Internists

• opt for a subspecialty (think: cardiology, gastroenterology, pulmonary disease, endocrinology, oncology, critical care, etc.)
• Focus on one part of the body or one illness which can affect the entire population.
• Offer specific medical guidance for the existing condition, help provide ways to prevent the disease, and offer steps for routine medical care.
• Typically undergo one to three years of training to become specialists in their chosen area.

Apart from these two types, there are internists who:

• Only tend to hospital patients.
• Work for rehabilitation facilities or centers for hospice care.
• Drive research, which includes running clinical trials, analyzing healthcare records, and more.
• Become administrators.

What's important to note is that internists are generally the first point of contact for treatment for most adults. You can visit an internist at their office, clinic, or a hospital.

What Are the Differences between a Family Practice Physician and an Internist?

Confused about going for a family practice physician or an internist? Don't worry; you are not alone. Let's address the elephant in the room and understand the key differences between the two.

Family Practice Physicians

• Manage the overall health and well-being of all ages, including children.
• May offer gynecological care to female patients.
• Trained in both internal medicine as well as other types of medicine, which includes pediatric care for children.

Internist/Internal Medicine Physicians

• More intensively trained on internal organs as well as processes, and only treat adults (not children or adolescents).
• Help treat chronic diseases (for example, diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, heart disease, endocrine issues, blood disorders,  kidney issues, infectious diseases, and so on) and typically tend to the services of the geriatric population.

When Should You Visit an Internist?

You can visit an internist in the following scenarios:

For Routine Checkups and Care

If you are dedicated to a yearly health checkup routine, it makes sense to visit an internist. 

If You Are Experiencing Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain can stem from a variety of causes, such as stomach virus, muscle strain, appendicitis, cancer, etc. If your pain is too severe, it is best to go to an emergency room. For mild pain, you can visit an internist to get the problem solved.

If You Have Chest Pain

Chest pain can occur due to a variety of problems, such as anxiety, acid reflux, issue in the lungs, and so on. If you are having heart attack-like symptoms, please call 911. However, if the pain is not as severe, you can see an internist who should be able to diagnose your problem effectively.

Pro tip: Remember that you may need to visit more than one specialist, depending on the condition you have. 

What to Expect When You Visit an Internist?

Here's what typically happens when you visit an internist:

First, they will check your vital signs, get a complete medical history, and understand the existing medications you might be on. Then, they will ask about your current symptoms to get a better understanding of your state of health.

They will then proceed to take a physical exam, which includes:

• Understanding your general posture.
• Listening to your heartbeat to look for murmurs, irregular heartbeat, or any other unusual sounds.
• Analyzing your breathing and checking for wheezing, shortness of breath, and so on.
• Doing a checkup of your ears, eyes, throat, nose, etc.
• Checking your skin and nails.

Your doctor may also order screening tests (think: lipid panel, bone density test, etc.) or more specific tests such as urinalysis, imaging testing, etc. In most cases, the internist might ask you to come back for a follow-up visit or may suggest another specialist.

What Makes for a Good Internist?

If you are looking to understand what makes an internist good at their job, look for the following indicators:

• If you do happen to go to another specialist, your internist should volunteer to coordinate with them and assist in your care (even if it lasts for an extended period).
• They should check for medication interactions if you are under the care of multiple doctors.
• They should possess a broad and comprehensive knowledge of medicine.
• They should be able to upgrade the treatment as the condition progresses to optimally manage the symptoms.
• They should provide proactive counseling on lifestyle changes and should throw light on the types of preventive measures you can undertake.
• They should also focus on understanding the state of your mental health while doing a routine checkup.
• They should be approachable and must provide personalized care, always keeping your best interests at heart.
• They should be excellent at providing information on preventative care, so make sure to go for scheduled preventative care sessions.

The role of an internist is challenging as they often deal with multiple conditions that may become more long-term and complex as time passes. Therefore choosing the right internist is key.

The 360-Degree Benefits of Going to an Internist

As mentioned earlier, an internist will help provide specialized and proactive care that a family physician or a non-internist may not be able to provide. This includes the following (but is not restricted to the same):

• Preventative and routine medicine.
• Self-care education.
• Cholesterol and blood pressure screening.
• Coordinating with a specialist for thorough treatment.
• Physicals and health care screenings.
• Treating diabetes and heart diseases.
• Getting immunizations and flu shots.

If your family doctor is unable to address your health concerns, it might be a good idea to visit an internist.

To Wrap Up

An internist is really the gatekeeper of your general health. It is their duty to track your body systems and help manage chronic diseases. If the illness becomes advanced, they may send you to a specialist as needed.

If you are on the lookout for an internal medicine practitioner in Parker, CO, who can cover all aspects of your health and overall well-being, try our highly-trained team at Rocky Vista Health Center. Our internal medicine experts can address the full range of diagnostic and treatment needs for patients over the age of 16. Our internal medicine doctors specialize in elderly patients and patients with complicated medical issues.

Furthermore, if you are suffering from a medical issue and require specialists who can focus on your needs to a T, give us a call at (720) 875-2880 or make an appointment with our seasoned internal medicine doctors.