When discussing medical specialties, it is completely normal to wonder what an internist does.
While internal medicine might sound unfamiliar at first, it is actually the branch of medicine focused on managing diseases that affect internal organs or systemic conditions. Because of this, it is very likely you have already seen an internist at some point in your life.
What Does an Internist Treat?
An internist—or internal medicine physician—is a specialist who focuses on caring for adult patients who do not require surgical intervention.
They integrate the functions of multiple specialists, streamlining and aligning a patient’s overall treatment plan to prevent adverse interactions or harmful effects.
Their broad clinical expertise encompasses epidemiology, physical therapy, etiology and pathogenesis, primary and secondary prevention methods, pathophysiological interactions in diseases, and complex therapeutic management.
Difference Between a General Practitioner and an Internist
Differentiating an internist from a general practitioner (GP) can sometimes seem tricky, as both see patients in similar contexts:
- General Practitioner: A GP can treat patients of any age. They focus on family health and possess broad knowledge across all medical fields without specializing in a specific area. They typically manage respiratory infections, viral illnesses, localized pain, and common everyday health issues.
- Internist: So, what does an internist do? An internist evaluates adult patients to identify and manage multiple complex conditions simultaneously. They frequently work in hospital settings, taking full responsibility for patient care and follow-up from admission to discharge.
An internist provides a comprehensive, big-picture evaluation to reach an accurate diagnosis. Conditions they commonly manage include hypertension, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, and arthritis.
Role of an Internist
The conditions an internist treats are broad and diverse. Among the primary medical domains they regularly manage are:
- Cardiology
- Palliative Care
- Endocrinology
- Autoimmune Diseases
- Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
- Nephrology
- Pulmonology
- Nutrition
- Rheumatology
- Emergency and Critical Care
Discover more about what an internist does at the Internal Medicine Department of Centro Médico ABC. We offer specialized, comprehensive care. Contact us today!
