Even the healthiest of us find ourselves at the mercy of an illness every now and then. And with serious medical issues eating away at our mental and physical well-being, an internal medicine physician can provide invaluable help and care. Also referred to as internists, such physicians have undergone rigorous training and education in order to provide patients with comprehensive care and therefore, help them live life at the best standards possible.
The Role of Internists
Internists play quite an important role. Their specialty lies in the prevention of diseases, especially chronic diseases. Along with this, they are also adept at the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of chronic diseases. Say for instance, at your annual checkup you get diagnosed with a chronic illness, your family medicine physician and internal medicine physician will then work together in order to come up with a treatment plan that is suitable.
Training & Academic Requirements
Internal medicine physicians undergo grueling trainings in order to ensure they can provide the highest level of care to patients. Apart from closely studying a range of complex diseases occurring in adults, they also partake in residency training in subspecialties such as cardiology, genetics, rheumatology, sports medicine or infectious diseases. This equips them with the required knowledge and hands-on skills to be able to deal effectively with a full spectrum of diseases.
The Significance of Internists
Internal medicine physicians provide a comprehensive range of services, including but not limited to an annual checkup. They are also often confused with family medicine physicians, but differ from them in that internists treat adults, as opposed to entire families that can be treated by family medicine physicians.
Accurate Diagnosis & Treatment
The training and knowledge base of internal medicine physicians ensures that they are able to provide accurate diagnosis and hence, timely treatments for many chronic illnesses and ailments.
Spectrum of Services
Since internists receive training in a particular subspecialty they are able to treat conditions stemming from that more adequately. However, owing to their training they are also able to provide comprehensive care including cancer screenings, mammograms, and even more mundane aspects like the establishment of schedules and regular routines as pertains to the maintenance of health in optimal condition.
Dedicated to Adult Care
Internists receive training that allows them to be well-equipped to deal with adults. This allows for the establishment of quality communication and hence, a meaningful as well as comfortable relationship amongst patients and doctors. When it comes to diagnosis this can play an integral role, as a patient who is at ease with their doctor will be able to explain symptoms and communicate about their general health condition much better. All doctors have a wealth of knowledge at their disposal in order to be able to deal with diseases, and internists even more so. What is perhaps most important is that you choose a doctor whom you are comfortable with.
Sources:
Fleurimont
https://www.fleurimont-md.com/blog/benefits-of-seeing-a-doctor-who-practices-internal-medicine/
Comprehensive Primary Care
https://comprehensiveprimarycare.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-internal-medicine/
CardioVascular Solutions Institute
http://www.cardiovascularsolutionsinstitute.com/4-important-things-to-know-about-internal-medicine/