Key Procedures Performed by Internal Medicine Doctors: A Comprehensive Overview

Introduction

Internal medicine is one of the most important divisions of medicine that focuses on diagnosing, treating & preventing a wide range of adult diseases. Internal medicine doctors, also known as internists, play an elementary role in providing comprehensive care to adult patients. In this blog post, we’ll explore the key procedures internal medicine doctors perform, the conditions they treat, and their approach to preventive care.

What is Internal Medicine?

It is a medical speciality that deals with adult diseases. Internal medicine doctors, or internists, are specialists who use their scientific knowledge & clinical expertise to the care of adults across the entire health spectrum, from wellness to complex illness. They diagnose various adult diseases and help manage and treat them to improve the quality of life.

Key characteristics of internal medicine include:

• Focus on Adult Patients: Internists typically care for patients from late teens through old age.
• Comprehensive Care: They help manage simple and complex illnesses, often in patients with multiple conditions.
• Long-term Patient Relationships: Internist doctors often provide continuous patient care over many years.
• Emphasis on Preventive Medicine: They focus on disease prevention and health promotion.

What Types of Conditions Do Internal Medicine Doctors Treat?

Internal medicine doctors have expertise in handling a broad range of medical conditions, including:

Acute Conditions:

• Flu
• Common cold
• Bronchitis
• Strep throat
• Pneumonia

Chronic Diseases:

• Diabetes
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Cardiovascular diseases or CVS (e.g., coronary artery disease, heart failure)
• Arthritis and other rheumatologic conditions
• Pulmonary diseases (e.g., COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer)

Blood Disorders:

• Anemia
• Haemophilia

Digestive Disorders:

• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Ulcers
• Gastritis

Immunologic Disorders:

• Allergies
• Asthma

Infectious Diseases:

• Hepatitis
• Tuberculosis
• HIV

Kidney Problems:

• Chronic kidney disease
• Kidney failure

Neurological Conditions:

• Migraines
• Multiple sclerosis

Endocrine Disorders:

• Thyroid conditions
• Other dysfunctions of the endocrine system

What are the Common Procedures Performed by Internal Medicine Doctors?

Internal medicine doctors perform a wide range of procedures as part of their practice. These internal medicine procedures can be broadly categorised into preventive care, diagnostic tests, and therapeutic interventions.

Preventive Care Procedures:

1. Adult Vaccinations:

• Diphtheria and tetanus
• Flu shots
• Hepatitis A & B
• HPV (human papillomavirus)
• Pneumococcal vaccine
• Shingles vaccine
• Whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine

2. Health Screenings:

• Blood pressure checks
• Cholesterol screening
• Colorectal cancer screening (e.g., colonoscopy referrals)
• Mammograms (for women)
• Prostate cancer screening (for men)
• Bone density scans
• Diabetes screening

3. Wellness Checkups:

• Annual physical examinations
• Lifestyle counselling
• Nutritional guidance

Diagnostic Procedures:

1. Laboratory Tests:

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Comprehensive metabolic panel
• Lipid profile
• Thyroid function tests
• Haemoglobin A1C (for diabetes monitoring)
• Urinalysis

2. Imaging Studies:

• X-rays
• Electrocardiograms (ECG or EKG)
• Echocardiograms
• Stress tests

3. Specialised Tests:

• Pulmonary function tests
• Allergy testing
• Sleep studies

Therapeutic Procedures:

1. Minor Office Procedures:

• Foreign bodies’ removal from eyes and skin
• Abscess drainage
• Laceration repair
• Excision of skin lesions
• Simple fracture care
• Skin biopsies

2. Therapeutic Injections:

• Cortisone shots for joint pain
• Trigger point injections for muscle pain
• Immunotherapy injections for allergies

3. Chronic Disease Management:

• Insulin administration and management for diabetes
• Inhaler technique education for asthma patients
• Blood pressure monitoring and medication adjustment

Preoperative Evaluations:

Internal medicine doctors often perform preoperative evaluations to assess a patient’s overall health and risk factors before surgery. These may include:

• Reviewing medical history
• Performing physical examinations
• Ordering and interpreting necessary internal medicine tests
• Providing recommendations to optimise the patient’s condition before surgery

Care Coordination:

While not a procedure per se, care coordination is a crucial function of internal medicine doctors. They often serve as the central point of contact, managing referrals to specialists and coordinating care for patients with complex medical needs.

Conclusion

Internal medicine doctors or internists play a vital role in the healthcare system of any country, providing comprehensive care for adults across various health conditions, says Dr. Narendra Prasad. From preventive care & health screenings to managing chronic diseases and performing minor procedures, internists are equipped to handle a myriad of medical issues.

The procedures performed by internal medicine doctors reflect their broad scope of practice and their focus on whole-person care. By combining their expertise in various medical subspecialties with a patient-centred approach, internists can provide high-quality, coordinated care that addresses immediate health concerns and long-term wellness goals.

As primary care physicians, internal medicine doctors are often the first point of contact for patients with undiagnosed health issues. Their ability to perform a wide range of procedures and tests in-office allows for efficient diagnosis and treatment, reducing the need for multiple specialist visits in many cases.

Understanding the scope of procedures and care provided by internal medicine doctors can help patients make informed decisions about their healthcare. Whether you’re seeking preventive care, managing a chronic condition, or dealing with a new health concern, an internal medicine doctor can be an excellent partner in your healthcare journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary difference between general medicine and internal medicine?

While both general medicine and internal medicine provide primary care, there are some key differences:

• Patient age range: General medicine doctors treat patients of all ages, including children. On the other hand, internal medicine doctors focus solely on adult patients.
• Training: Internal medicine doctors receive more in-depth training in complex adult diseases and may be better equipped to handle patients with multiple chronic conditions.
• Procedures: While there is overlap, internal medicine doctors may perform a wider range of adult-specific procedures and tests.

How do internal medicine doctors handle preventive care?

Internal medicine doctors or internists place a strong emphasis on preventive care. They typically:

• Conduct regular health screenings based on age, gender, and risk factors
• Provide vaccinations
• Offer lifestyle counselling on diet, exercise, and stress management
• Perform or refer patients for appropriate cancer screenings
• Monitor and manage various risk factors for chronic diseases
• Educate patients about self-care and early disease recognition