Internal CareStratford, CT
Internal medicine is an essential part of any adult’s healthcare plan. As a specialty, it encompasses diagnosing, treating, and preventing internal diseases. Internal medicine doctors are also known as internists or physicians.
Internal medicine is available at MD Care Now in Stratford and the surrounding area. Each of our team members is devoted to maintaining your health. Call us today at 1-203-683-0625 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services. We also accept walk-ins, no appointment necessary.
Understanding Internal Medicine
As stated by MedicineNet, internal medicine is the medical specialty that deals with diagnosing and treating adult patients. There are multiple subspecialties of internal medicine. There are also general internists who focus on a comprehensive spectrum of internal illnesses instead of a specific medical problem or organ system. These internists can diagnose and treat several acute and chronic health conditions simultaneously, help prevent disease, and promote overall patient health.
Consequently, general internists can also be considered primary care physicians specifically for adults. They can handle any health problems an adult patient may face throughout life, no matter how complicated. Additionally, like any other type of primary care physician, general internists will act as a patient’s first point of contact with the healthcare system. As such, both ambulatory (also known as outpatient) and hospitalized patients will require this type of care.
Who Internal Medicine Physicians Are
Internal medicine physicians, also known as internists or just physicians, apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to diagnose and treat adult patients on a comprehensive level. They have undergone specialized training that qualifies them to manage chronic illnesses, diagnose complex medical issues, and address multiple health conditions in one patient. Despite popular misconceptions, internists are not the same as interns or family medicine practitioners. Interns are doctors in their first year of medical training, while family medicine physicians do not focus exclusively on adults.
In addition to completing four years of medical school, internists must also finish a residency in internal medicine. This residency typically lasts three years, adding up to a grand total of seven years of training and education. Once they have completed their general internal medicine residency, the internist may choose to begin practicing or focus on a subspecialty. While most physicians care for their patients in outpatient, office settings, others may work in hospitals.
Internal Medicine vs. Family Medicine
As mentioned earlier, patients should not equate internal medicine with family medicine. There are several key differences between the two specialties. For instance, family medicine doctors can treat patients of all ages, while internal medicine physicians focus exclusively on adults. They also receive different training. Though both family medicine doctors and internal medicine doctors must undergo three years of basic training, internal medicine doctors’ training involves both an education on common health conditions and significant experience in each internal medicine subspecialty.
Such extensive training allows general internists to best contribute to their patients’ comprehensive care. They must gain a certain amount of experience in dermatology, geriatrics, non-operative orthopedics, office gynecology, ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology, palliative medicine, psychiatry, rehabilitation medicine, and sleep medicine alike. Some general internists even choose to include children in their scope of care. In these instances, they may undergo dual training in internal medicine and pediatrics. These physicians are often known as “med-peds.”
Internal Medicine Subspecialties
Many physicians choose to undergo additional training to practice a subspecialty, often in the form of a fellowship. These fellowships generally last an additional one to three years, and they must be completed separately from an internist’s general three-year internal medicine residency. While internists who have trained in subspecialties are often referred to by their focus (e.g., cardiologists, immunologists, et cetera), all share the same basic training.
When an internist chooses to focus on a subspecialty, they must undergo a comprehensive and involved education in their field of choice. Some examples include allergy and immunology; cardiovascular disease; endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism; gastroenterology; hematology; infectious disease; nephrology; oncology; pulmonary diseases; and rheumatology.
Call Us Today
Every patient needs a quality internist on their side. We at MD Care Now can help. Call us today at 1-203-683-0625 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services. We also accept walk-ins.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do I need to get a physical exam?
Experts recommend that everyone sees a doctor at least once a year for an annual physical exam. However, some patients may need to go in more often, depending on their specific healthcare needs. Regular checkups are crucial regardless of how well you feel. Our doctors can analyze your personal risk profile and determine the best active or preventive treatment options for you.
Should I stick to one internal medicine physician?
Patients who stick to the same internal medicine physician tend to have better health outcomes and higher rates of overall healthcare access. By maintaining a relationship with one physician, you can ensure that your doctor receives a thorough understanding of your unique medical needs and treatment desires — resulting in higher-quality comprehensive care.
Why is it called “internal medicine”?
Before the establishment of internal medicine as a profession, healthcare was mainly observation-based. However, healthcare professionals began to better understand disease and clinical care in the late 1800s, thanks to the emergence of bacteriology, pathology, and physiology. These experts dedicated themselves to using this new scientific knowledge to address “inner diseases.”
How is internal medicine “evidence-based”?
Internal medicine is a dynamic field that is always evolving with and adapting to the most current recommendations and research. Medical research is constantly discovering new ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses, while physicians apply this information accordingly. As a result, patients get the best possible quality of care.
When should I see a physician?
You should see a physician whenever you notice any changes in your physical or mental condition, have any health condition, or it is time for you to maintain your preventive care. Internal medicine doctors can treat acute and chronic health conditions, assist in renewing medications, identify the causes of unexplained weight loss or gain, and more.
Check out what others are saying about our Internal Care services on Yelp: Internal Care Stratford
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