Recommended internists

What does an internist do?

An internist is a physician specialized in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases that affect the internal organs of the human body, focusing on adult patients. Their main function is to care for non-surgical conditions, often complex ones, that involve multiple body systems. Unlike other specialties that focus on a specific organ, the internist has a more comprehensive approach, treating a variety of diseases that can affect the heart, lungs, digestive system, kidneys, among others.

What is the difference between an internist and a general practitioner?

Although both the internist and the general practitioner are physicians who deal with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in adults, the main difference between them lies in the specialization and focus of care.

The general practitioner has broader training and sees patients of all ages, including children and the elderly. They can handle a wide variety of conditions, but their role is generally more generalist, identifying health problems and offering basic treatments, in addition to referring patients to specialists when necessary.

The internist, on the other hand, is a specialist in Internal Medicine, with an exclusive focus on adults. They have more in-depth training in the evaluation and treatment of complex diseases, which often involve multiple body systems, such as chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes), serious infections, autoimmune conditions, and other complex problems. The internist provides continuous and personalized monitoring, being primarily responsible for coordinating the treatment of diseases in patients with more complicated health conditions.

When to seek an internist?

You should seek an internist when you present persistent or complex symptoms that do not resolve with common treatments or when there is a need for a detailed evaluation of multiple body systems. This specialist is ideal for treating diseases that affect several organs at the same time or conditions that involve a difficult diagnosis.

If you have chronic health problems, such as diabetes, hypertension, or respiratory diseases, the internist can monitor and adjust your treatment over time, always seeking the best control of these conditions.

In addition, if you are experiencing unexplainable symptoms, such as excessive fatigue, prolonged fever, unexplained weight loss, or pain that does not improve, the internist can help identify the cause and plan appropriate treatment. They are also the ideal choice when you have multiple health conditions and need an integrated approach to treat them effectively.

Exams and diagnosis with the internist

The internist performs a detailed evaluation to accurately diagnose health conditions. During the consultation, they begin with a complete analysis of your medical history and symptoms. From this initial assessment, they may request a series of tests, such as blood tests, imaging tests (such as X-ray, ultrasound, or CT scan), and other specialized tests, depending on the complaints presented.

These tests help the internist understand how your body works and identify any abnormalities in internal organs. Additionally, the internist is specialized in critically interpreting these results, taking into account your complete clinical picture.

The role of the internist in disease prevention

The internist plays a crucial role in disease prevention, identifying risk factors and guiding the patient on how to avoid them. By conducting regular consultations, they can detect early signs of health problems that, if left untreated, could turn into serious conditions. This includes chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular problems, which often do not present obvious symptoms until they are at an advanced stage.

In addition to performing routine tests to monitor general health, the internist offers guidance on healthy habits, such as balanced nutrition, physical exercise, and stress management. They can also recommend vaccines and cancer screenings, such as mammograms or prostate exams, depending on the patient's medical history and age.

How does the internist treat chronic diseases?

The internist is a fundamental specialist in managing chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, respiratory, and cardiovascular problems. When you have a chronic condition, the internist acts as the main coordinator of your treatment, developing a personalized care plan.

Treatment mainly involves continuous control of the disease, monitoring symptoms, and adjusting treatments as needed. For example, if you have diabetes, the internist may recommend medications for glucose control, as well as guidance on diet and physical exercise to improve your overall health. The same occurs with hypertension, where the internist prescribes appropriate medications, but also gives tips on how to reduce stress and improve nutrition.

Additionally, the internist monitors the evolution of the disease over time, performing periodic exams and adjustments to the treatment if necessary. They also worry about preventing complications, such as heart attacks or strokes in patients with cardiovascular diseases, always seeking to improve the patient's quality of life.

The importance of routine consultation with the internist

Routine consultation with the internist is essential for maintaining your long-term health. By performing regular exams, the internist can identify signs of diseases before they become serious, allowing for early and more effective treatment. These consultations are important not only for monitoring existing conditions but also for assessing the general health of your body and preventing the appearance of new diseases.

During the consultation, the internist reviews your medical history, evaluates your lifestyle, and performs clinical exams to verify the functioning of your internal systems. They may order laboratory and imaging tests to monitor the evolution of chronic conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension, and adjust treatment as necessary.

These routine consultations are not limited to treating diseases, but they are also an opportunity to discuss healthy habits, such as diet and exercise, and receive guidance on prevention. The internist also guides you on preventive exams recommended for your age group, helping to detect diseases such as cancer, heart problems, or kidney diseases early.

What is the training of an internist?

The training of an internist begins with a medical degree, which generally lasts six years. During this period, the physician acquires broad knowledge about the human body, its functions, and the most common diseases. After completing graduation, the physician needs to go through a medical residency in Internal Medicine, which is specialized training with a minimum duration of two years.

During the residency, the internist is exposed to a wide range of medical conditions, which involve various body systems. They learn to deal with complex and chronic diseases, acquiring practical experience in hospitals and clinics. In addition, the internist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of non-surgical conditions, developing a more comprehensive and integrated care approach.

How to find a qualified internist?

Finding a qualified internist is essential to ensure an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. To do this, start by looking for professionals who have solid training, such as a residency in Internal Medicine and a good professional history. Credential verification is an important step to ensure that the physician is registered with the Regional Medical Council and has experience in the area.

Furthermore, it is important to consider the internist's experience in treating specific conditions, especially if you have a chronic disease or a complex condition. Many internists have subspecializations, such as cardiac, respiratory, or endocrine diseases, which may be important depending on your case. To make the best decision, consult physician evaluations from previous patients, which can offer valuable insights into the quality of care and the professional's approach.

Telemedicine and the internist: a new era in medical monitoring

Telemedicine has revolutionized access to medical care, offering virtual consultations with internists for patients seeking convenience or facing travel difficulties. This care model has become especially valuable for the continuous monitoring of chronic diseases, allowing medication adjustments and exam evaluations without the need for frequent in-person visits.

Benefits include greater accessibility for people with reduced mobility, time savings, and reduced travel costs. However, it is important to emphasize that not all conditions can be adequately evaluated through teleconsultation, with in-person physical examination being necessary in many cases.

Subspecialties of Internal Medicine: when the internist delves deeper

Internists frequently develop expertise in specific areas of medicine, forming subspecialties that deepen their knowledge in particular systems or conditions. These advanced specializations allow for even more qualified care in certain medical conditions.

The main subspecialties include:

• Cardiology: focus on diseases of the heart and circulatory system
• Endocrinology: specialized in hormonal and metabolic disorders
• Gastroenterology: treatment of digestive system diseases
• Nephrology: focused on kidney and urinary system problems
• Pulmonology: dedicated to respiratory diseases

This additional specialization generally requires an additional 2 to 3 years of specific training after residency in Internal Medicine.

The internist and evidence-based medicine

The approach of the modern internist is strongly anchored in evidence-based medicine, a methodology that prioritizes medical decisions based on rigorous and updated scientific research. This model ensures that recommended treatments have proven efficacy and that risks and benefits are clearly evaluated.

In the context of clinical practice, the internist constantly uses updated medical guidelines and results from clinical studies to personalize the treatment of each patient. This scientific approach reduces variability in care and increases the likelihood of positive outcomes for the patient's health.

The role of the internist in the multidisciplinary health team

The internist frequently acts as the central coordinator of a multidisciplinary health team, especially for patients with complex conditions or multiple comorbidities. This leadership function is essential to ensure that all aspects of treatment are integrated coherently.

In their integrating function, the internist analyzes recommendations from different specialists to avoid treatment conflicts, coordinates exams and procedures to avoid unnecessary duplications, ensures that the therapeutic plan considers all the patient's conditions holistically, and facilitates communication between professionals such as nutritionists, physiotherapists, and psychologists. This collaborative approach maximizes the effectiveness of treatment and optimizes patient recovery.

Internist and elderly patients: geriatrics as a natural extension

The internist plays a crucial role in caring for the elderly population, a group that frequently presents multiple chronic conditions and complex drug interactions. Internal medicine has a strong connection with geriatrics, often being the gateway to specialized care in aging.

The internist's differential in elderly care lies in the ability to balance the treatment of multiple conditions simultaneously, considering aspects such as frailty, cognitive function, and quality of life. The internist carefully evaluates polypharmacy, a common phenomenon in this age group, seeking to simplify therapeutic regimens and avoid harmful drug interactions.

Technological advances in the practice of the internist

Internal medicine has benefited enormously from recent technological advances, which have transformed both the diagnosis and treatment of various conditions. Artificial intelligence tools help in the analysis of exams and identification of subtle patterns that could go unnoticed, while wearable devices allow for continuous monitoring of vital parameters.

The electronic medical record has revolutionized the management of medical information, allowing the internist to have quick access to the patient's complete history. This facilitates more precise and personalized decisions, especially in complex cases with multiple previous treatments.

When should the internist refer to other specialists?

The internist, despite their comprehensive training, recognizes the limits of their practice and knows how to identify when it is necessary to refer the patient to a more focused specialist. This decision is based on the complexity of the case, the response to initial treatment, and the specific characteristics of each condition.

Common situations that may require referral include conditions that require specialized surgical procedures, rare or difficult-to-manage diseases that need specific expertise, cases refractory to conventional treatments, and serious complications of chronic diseases. The good internist maintains constant communication with specialists to ensure continuity of care, receiving information about the treatments performed and reintegrating this information into the global therapeutic plan.

Preventive medicine: the internist as the guardian of your future health

Preventive medicine constitutes a fundamental pillar in the performance of the modern internist, who works actively to identify risks before they develop into established diseases. This proactive approach includes cardiovascular, metabolic, and oncological risk assessments, allowing early interventions that can significantly alter the patient's life course.

The internist develops a personalized prevention plan based on family history, individual risk factors, and current scientific evidence. This plan may include specific screenings, such as colonoscopies, mammograms, or cardiovascular exams, as well as guidance on lifestyle modifications that reduce identified specific risks.

Patient education: the internist as a teacher of your health

A crucial differential of the internist is their ability to educate the patient about their health conditions and treatments, transforming them into an active participant in their own care. This education goes beyond simple instructions, seeking to explain the mechanisms of diseases and how the proposed interventions act in the body.

The dedicated internist explains complex diagnoses and their implications in an accessible way, discusses the benefits and risks of each treatment option, teaches the patient to recognize warning signs that require immediate medical attention, and demystifies incorrect or biased health information. This educational approach significantly improves adherence to treatments and empowers patients to make informed decisions about their health.

Why choose AvaliaMed for your consultation with an internist?

Choosing AvaliaMed to schedule your consultation with an internist is an excellent decision, as the platform offers a simple and reliable way to find qualified and well-rated physicians. At AvaliaMed, you have access to an extensive database of internists who register to offer their services, providing you with the peace of mind to choose from professionals with solid training and proven experience.

In addition, AvaliaMed allows you to consult evaluations from other patients, which helps to have a clear view of the care, approach, and quality of the professional. The platform also facilitates the scheduling process, making the search for an internist quicker and more efficient.