What is Internal Medicine?

Your choice of a primary care provider (PCP) is an important one. Your PCP is your partner in wellness, and your first point of contact for any health issues you may have.

What is an Internist?
Internists are specialists in the overall care of adult patients. Some practice in outpatient offices, some in hospital settings, or both. You may see them referred to Internal Medicine Physicians, Doctors of Internal Medicine, General Internists, Internists, and sometimes as Hospitalists.

Internists are sometimes referred to as the “doctor’s doctor.” They are frequently called upon to act as consultants to other physicians to help solve puzzling diagnostic problems or manage challenging conditions.

Internal Medicine is a primary care specialty because Internists have a broad understanding of the “big picture.” They treat the whole adult person and do not restrict their care to a single organ system of body part. Internists are extensively trained to manage complex acute and chronic medical problems, patients on multiple medications, and patients with multiple medical conditions.

They often are called the “diagnosticians” of the healthcare system. They are very concerned with maintaining optimal wellness for adult patients and are trained to manage the unique needs of senior citizens.

Any adult would benefit from a long-standing primary care relationship with an Internal Medicine physician. Patients with complex medical problems, multiple medical problems, and seniors particularly benefit. Internal Medicine physicians are the only providers in our healthcare system specifically trained to provide comprehensive care for complex adult and senior patients.