Different Diseases Internal Medicine Covers
By: Manisha Asrani
Internal medicine or general internal medicine is the medical specialty dealing with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of internal diseases. Physicians specializing in internal medicine are called internists. Internists can choose to focus their practice on general internal medicine or take additional training to “subspecialize” in additional areas of internal medicine after the completion of their core residency training. This article will go over three main subspecialties that the study of internal medicine covers: cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and oncology.
Cardiovascular disease (typically referred to as “cardiology”) focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and management of disorders of the cardiovascular system. Management of risk factors for cardiovascular disease prevention, early diagnosis, and intervention are important elements of cardiology. Some cardiologists choose to focus their practice further in specific areas of cardiovascular disease. Advanced certification is available in Interventional Cardiology (diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease with invasive methods), Cardiac Electrophysiology (evaluation treatment of dysrhythmias), and Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology (management of advanced heart failure) following additional training beyond the basic cardiovascular disease fellowship.
Endocrinology is the subspecialty of internal medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and care of disorders of the endocrine (glandular) system and the associated metabolic dysfunction. Endocrinologists are frequently involved with the diagnosis and management of hypothalamic disorders (abnormal sodium and water balance), pituitary diseases (tumors, over-or under-production of pituitary hormones), and parathyroid abnormalities (hypercalcemia, hypocalcemia). Endocrinologists may practice in a dedicated endocrine practice, as part of a multi-specialty group, or may maintain a split practice seeing both endocrinology and general internal medicine patients.
Medical oncology is the internal medicine subspecialty that involves the diagnosis and management of benign and malignant neoplasms. Internists practicing oncology (“oncologists”) typically assist general internists and other physicians in identifying individuals at risk for malignancy and investigating clinical symptoms and syndromes suggestive of underlying cancer. In patients with a diagnosed neoplasm, oncologists frequently undertake the care of patients with solid and hematologic tumors to attempt a cure or to prolong life and/or palliate symptoms. Oncologists may practice in a dedicated oncology group, managing patients along with other physicians. Many oncologists provide consultative services to both other physicians and medical institutions. Oncologists, particularly those in academic settings, may engage in basic science and clinical research and teach medical students and residents. Oncology is frequently coupled with training in hematology in a combined hematology-oncology fellowship program. This dual training prepares an internist to diagnose, treat, and manage a wide range of related diseases.
These are three diseases that internal medicine covers. Because internal medicine is a large medical specialty, there are so many more diseases that are covered.
Internal Medicine: Introducing the Concept of Internal Medicine and Internists
By: Shania Ali
Internal medicine is a field of practice dealing with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of internal diseases. The term “Internal Medicine” is from the Germans’ term “Innere Medizin” to describe physicians who combined laboratory science with the care of patients.
Family medicine and Internal Medicine often get confused for one another. One difference that separates them would be patient demographics. Internal medicine focuses exclusively on adult medicine, while family medicine typically sees all the family members. Even though most of their duties include performing minor office procedures, executing procedures, and administrating nerve blocks, many factors contribute to the difference between family medicine physicians and internal medicine physicians. Some of these include family practitioners treating seriously ill patients with complex problems, while internists treat patients who are essentially healthy and focus on preventive care in the outpatient setting.
Internal medicine physicians can be called “internists,” “general internists,” or “doctors of internal medicine.” They routinely see patients with heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and chronic lung disease. General internists are essentially equipped to handle the broad and comprehensive spectrum of illness that affects adults. They are also specialized to deal with any medical problem a patient brings because they are specifically trained to solve complex diagnostic problems and handle severe chronic illnesses. General internists may practice in various locations, whether caring for patients in a hospital setting or practicing in unique settings like rehabilitation centers and long-term care facilities.
The schooling to become an internist is rigorous, but not impossible. The steps include:
- Earn a four-year bachelor’s degree
- Apply to and attend medical school for another four years
- Apply to and enter into a residency program that typically lasts three years
- If specializing, complete a 1-4 year additional fellowship training
- Some subspecialties may include
- Cardiovascular disease
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Hematology
- Infectious diseases
- Nephrology
- Oncology
- Pulmonary disease
- Rheumatology
- And many others
- Some subspecialties may include
- Pass the Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
Even though schooling seems like a lot to handle, the result is worth it. One of the benefits of becoming an internist is that you get the opportunity to build long-term relationships with your patients and their families.
If you are looking for reasons as to why you should pursue a career path in internal medicine, some reasons to look for would be:
- The fulfillment that comes from ongoing relationships with patients
- Getting to know them as whole people, not just diseases
- A modest contribution to public health
Work Cited:
Different Diseases Internal Medicine Covers
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“What Is a Doctor of Internal Medicine, or Internist?” ACP,
http://www.acponline.org/acp-newsroom/what-is-a-doctor-of-internal-medicine-or-internist-0.
Internal Medicine: Introducing the Concept of Internal Medicine and Internists
“Subspecialties of Internal Medicine.” ACP, www.acponline.org/about-acp/about-internal-medicine/subspecialties-of-internal-medicine.
Gavin, Kara. “General Internal Medicine: A Path That Leads to Many More.” Health News, Medical Breakthroughs & Research for Health Professionals, 18 Jan. 2018, labblog.uofmhealth.org/med-u/general-internal-medicine-a-path-leads-to-many-more.
“About.” Comprehensive Primary Care, comprehensiveprimarycare.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-internal-medicine/.
“Internal Medicine vs. Family Medicine: Diagnosing the Differences.” Medical Blog | St. George’s University | The SGU Pulse, 22 Apr. 2021, www.sgu.edu/blog/medical/internal-medicine-vs-family-medicine/#:~:text=%22Internal%20medicine%20focuses%20exclusively%20on,as%20adults%2C%E2%80%9D%20explains%20Dr .
“Internal Medicine Career Guide: Job Description, Qualifications & Career Outlook: Global Pre.” Meds, 16 Nov. 2013, www.globalpremeds.com/2013/11/16/internal-medicine-career-guide-job-description-qualifications-career-outlook/ .
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