Everyone should have a primary care physician (PCP) to oversee their health needs. However, why is an internal medicine doctor your best choice to head up your medical team? In this blog, we will discuss why someone who specializes in internal medicine can be your most effective partner in maintaining your overall health and well-being.
What Is an Internal Medicine Doctor?
An internal medicine doctor has years of education and training in the diagnosis, prevention, and management of chronic disease and acute illnesses. These conditions can range from common ailments, such as the flu or a urinary tract infection, to more complex conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, asthma, obesity, arthritis, and diabetes.
In short, whatever impacts your overall health and well-being–in terms of physical and emotional well-being–falls under the care and management of an internal medicine physician.
What Kind of Care Does an Internal Medicine Doctor Provide?
Internal medicine doctors deliver a wide range of services. The medical care they deliver is comprehensive. They assess and treat all body systems while emphasizing the need for better health through preventive care.
As your primary care physician, your internal medicine doctor will provide:
- Your annual physical exam
- Acute care for sudden illnesses and injuries
- Preventive screenings (or referrals for screenings) for cancer, high cholesterol, hypertension, elevated glucose levels, and more
- Health coaching on diet, exercise, and elimination of unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as smoking, being too sedentary, or consuming excessive amounts of alcohol
- Referrals to specialty care, such as audiology or oncology, when needed
- Coordination of medical services when you are hospitalized, need rehabilitation or long-term health services, such as assisted living
- Maintenance and transfer, as needed, your electronic health record (medical chart)
- Protection of your privacy and confidentiality
- Management of ongoing health issues, such as allergies and anxiety
- Treatment of simple injuries, such as sprains, burns, and lacerations
- Administration of needed vaccinations and documentation of the same
How Can I Choose the Right Internal Medicine Doctor?
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing an internal medicine doctor. Some are very practical, and others are interpersonal. In other words, you must select a physician who is compatible with your personality, felt needs, and communication style.
As such, here are some things to think about in making your final choice.
Expertise
An internal medicine doctor has specialized knowledge and training in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic health conditions and acute diseases. After medical school and residency, doctors who wish to specialize in internal medicine typically take additional training (two or three years) in an area such as:
- Gastroenterology
- Endocrinology
- Cardiology
- Palliative and end-of-life care
With their additional training, these physicians can diagnose and treat adult conditions that are more complex and impactful in their patients’ lives. These doctors can execute more complicated procedures, too, such as cardiac stent placement or colonoscopy.
Accessibility
When it comes to managing your health, accessibility is key. An internal medicine doctor is equipped to handle a wide range of medical conditions. So, you don’t have to search for a specialist whenever a concern arises.
Most internal medicine physicians practice in an ambulatory setting such as a stand-alone office or clinic or in a hospital or medicine center. Some, but not all, follow their patients through in-patient care in the hospital, too.
In other words, an internal medicine doctor is a provider who is available and accessible for hands-on care and consultation on a regular basis. He or she is the go-to person for healthcare advice and education on a variety of issues.
Continuity of Medical Care
Internal medicine doctors often develop long-term relationships with their patients and thereby provide invaluable continuity of care. This means that you have a healthcare provider who knows you, your medical history and your health goals well.
An internal medicine physician can provide tailored treatment plans based on your unique needs. This continuity of care is especially important for individuals with chronic conditions because their internal medicine physicians can closely monitor their progress and make adjustments to their medications and therapies as needed.
The Right Internal Medicine Doctor in West Orange, NJ
You can select from a number of internal medicine specialists at Hudson MD Group. We are proud to have highly skilled and compassionate providers on our team. One of them is sure to be the right fit for your healthcare needs.
So, contact our office team to learn more and to choose an internal medicine doctor as your primary care provider. Call us at (973) 705-4914 or request your visit online here.
We are proud to serve our ever-expanding New Jersey community. We hope to become acquainted with you soon.
