Internal Medicine (Internist)
Content
Description
An internist (consultant physician) is a doctor specialized in internal medicine.
- provides comprehensive health care for patients with internal diseases (diseases of internal organs
- prepares the patient for surgery - performs an internal preoperative examination.
A patient usually visits an internist on the recommendation of a general practitioner.
Facts
- Outpatient examination
- Examination lasts 30 minutes
An internist deals with comprehensive diagnostics, treatment and prevention of diseases of internal organs.
Focuses mainly on:
- Cardiovascular diseases (high blood pressure - hypertension, ischemic heart disease)
- Digestive system diseases
- Metabolic diseases (diabetes, lipid disorders)
- Lung diseases
- Hormonal disorders
- Performs internal preoperative examination (necessary before every operation where the patient is under general anesthesia)
The internist thoroughly interviews the patient (takes anamnesis), examines by palpation, percussion and listening, and performs examinations:
- Measures blood pressure, pulse
- ECG - electrocardiography of the heart and it's evaluation
- Sonography of internal organs
- Takes blood and urine for examination (extended samples, e.g. hormonal profile, liver and kidney tests, immunological indicators)
- Evaluates X-rays (RTG), CT and MRT (magnetic resonance imaging)
- Functional examinations of organs (how organs are functioning) and stress tests (e.g., bicycle ECG, 24-hour ECG, and blood pressure - Holter)
- Consults findings from other specialists
- Adjusts treatment and prescribes medications and monitors side effects of medications
