What Is an Internist and What Do Internists Do?
To put it simply, an Internist is a general doctor (MD or DO) for adults. An Internist’s field of practice is called Internal Medicine. Think Pediatrician for kids ranging in age from 18 to over 100! Internists perform many tasks:
- We manage most common medical issues and, depending on a doctor’s comfort level and experience, some not-so-common issues.
- We refer patients to specialists if a particular problem is out of our area of expertise or for a second opinion.
- We coordinate care between specialists, ancillary medical services (for example, physical therapy, home health agencies, etc.). In effect, we are the “conductors” of your medical “orchestra.
- We get to know you as an entire person and try to address each issue you have in the context of who you are, what is most important to you, and how you view and approach your own healthcare. Ideally, we can see both the “forest" and the “trees" at the same time.
What is the difference between an Internist and a Primary Care Physician (PCP)?
A Primary Care Physician is a doctor (MD or DO) who cares for you based on your age or sex, not based on your specific medical issue(s) For example, a Cardiologist is a specialist who cares primarily for your heart issues regardless of your age or sex. The main Primary Care Physician (PCP) groups are as follows:
Internist: As stated above, a general doctor for adults, usually age 18 and over.
Family Doctor: In effect, a Family Doctor is a combination of a Pediatrician and an Internist. Some Family Doctors deliver babies (Obstetrics), particularly in less urban areas.
Pediatrician: A general doctor for infants and children, usually age 0 to 18.
Gynecologist: A general doctor for women starting in their early 20’s.
Adolescent Medicine Doctor: A general doctor for patients starting somewhere between age 10 to 12 and usually ending by age 21. Some practices are “Adolescent and Young Adult,” which indicates they care for patients up to age 25-26.
Geriatrician: A general doctor, usually for age 65 and over, but Geriatricians sometimes care for patients under 65 when dementia, significant disability, or other significant chronic issues are present.
There can certainly be some overlap in the practitioner groups above. For instance, Internists not only can care for patients over age 65, but this age group often makes up a significant fraction of an Internist’s total patient “panel.” On the opposite end of the age spectrum, some children continue to see their pediatricians well into their early 20’s!
In summary, an Internist is a General Doctor for Adults who falls under the category of “Primary Care Physician" or “PCP." An Internist cares for the whole patient and can handle most medical issues that arise.
For more information, go to the American College of Physicians website.
Please feel free to call our office for further questions regarding Internists! Contact Us.
-Julian Klapowitz and the Avenue Medical Staff