Adults seek medical care for many reasons, from routine checkups to new symptoms that need evaluation. Internists are physicians who focus on the health of adults, and they can serve as a patient’s main point of contact within the health care system. Adults may receive their primary care from this type of care provider.
What Is an Internist?
An internist, also called a doctor of internal medicine, is a physician who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of conditions that affect adults. Their training covers a broad range of body systems, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, and digestive tract. Internists generally treat patients aged 18 and older, so their training and practice focus on the health concerns that appear during adulthood. Some practice general internal medicine and provide broad, ongoing care.
What Services Do They Provide?
General internists offer a wide scope of services for adult patients. They perform routine physical exams, and they can recommend health screenings based on a patient’s personal circumstances. These may include blood pressure checks, cholesterol testing, and cancer screenings. Internists can also provide or recommend vaccinations. There are other services that physicians typically provide, which may include:
- Evaluation of New Symptoms: When a patient notices a change in their health, an internist can evaluate the concern.
- Management of Ongoing Conditions: Many adults live with long-term conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes; internists monitor these conditions over time, review test results, and adjust care plans as needed.
- Medication Review: Adults who take several medications may benefit from a periodic review.
If a patient needs specialized care, an internist can provide a referral to a specialist.
What Should You Expect?
A first visit with an internist may take longer than later appointments. The physician will typically review your medical history, including past illnesses and surgeries. Some conditions run in families, so they can also ask about your family’s health history.
Your internist may ask about your current medications. Questions about daily habits, such as sleep, diet, physical activity, and tobacco or alcohol use, can also be asked. A staff member will usually record your vital signs, and the doctor may then perform a physical exam. Depending on your age and history, they can order blood work or other tests.
At the end of the visit, the internist will discuss any findings and outline the next steps. This may include follow-up testing, a referral to a specialist, or a plan for your next routine visit. Later appointments can be shorter, and they often focus on specific concerns or ongoing monitoring.
Meet With a Care Provider
Establishing care with an internist before a need appears allows the physician to record baseline measurements, such as your usual blood pressure. These records give the doctor a point of comparison if your health changes later, and this helps make future evaluations more informed. Continuity of care also allows one physician to maintain a complete view of your health history across many years. This can be helpful as health needs shift with age or as new specialists become involved. Contact an internal medicine practice and request an appointment to establish care with an internist.
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