Internists are medical specialists who have specialized in a variety of diseases. It belongs to their field of activity that they diagnose complaints and diseases of the patients both preventively and repressively and initiate appropriate methods of treatment. Since medical progress at the same time justifies an intensive increase in knowledge, internists specialize in individual specialties, and subspecialization is always the linchpin of a medical discussion.
What is an internist?
Internists are medical specialists who specialize in a variety of diseases. They must diagnose patients’ complaints and diseases preventively as well as repressively and initiate appropriate treatment methods. In order to become an internist, which in Germany is also referred to as a specialist in internal medicine, physicians must complete a continuing education program. In doing so, the qualification must be in the medical specialty of internal medicine. Only when the participant has passed the special specialist examination that he can practice as an internist. Since internists deal with a wide range of clinical pictures, the further training is designed over a period of five years. If the specialist wishes to specialize immediately in a core area, he or she must continue training for as long as six years. The additional training is concluded with an oral examination, whereby each chamber district can design the further training regulations at its own discretion. During his training, the internist can not only commit himself to one main topic, but also take various additional qualifications. In this respect, many trainees decide to obtain the title of specialist in emergency medicine or infectiology. Since continuing education takes a lot of time, it seems all the more surprising that physicians are still willing to expand their professional knowledge after the strenuous medical studies. On the other hand, this is necessary to be able to guarantee patients the best possible care.
Treatments and therapies
The specialist in internal medicine deals with numerous diseases. Core areas are complaints of the respiratory organs, the cardiovascular system, the kidneys, the vascular structures of the body, the metabolism as well as the secretion, the digestive organs, the immune system, the blood circulation as well as when the connective and supporting tissues are under stress. In addition, the internist takes care of poisonings, infectious diseases, tumors and the monitoring and treatment of intensive care patients. Last, the specialist may also practice as a sports medicine internist. Since the diseases often involve invasive surgery, the internist can perform minor surgical procedures, as it were. Especially in the case of diseases in the cardiovascular system or also in the case of an affection of the digestive organs, such measures are conceivable. It seems that the internist is an all-round physician, with the individual specialties, especially in large hospitals, being filled by special specialists. In smaller facilities, on the other hand, the internal medicine specialist regularly takes over the department. Nevertheless, internists do not only work in hospitals, but also care for people in a family practice. However, the competencies of primary care internists are often limited. This is mainly due to the fact that specialist physicians can usually only have limited technical capabilities.
Diagnostic and examination methods
The internist must first record the patient’s complaints by taking a medical history. He will then examine the affected person superficially. To be able to define the disease in more detail, he can resort to some tools. These include, above all, the electrocardiogram, ultrasound equipment, various endoscopic devices and small surgical tools. Furthermore, the physician will usually order a blood count, which can provide information about the diseases, as it were. Gastroscopy, colonoscopy, bone marrow aspiration, cardiac catheterization, liver and lung biopsy, and pulmonary function testing are covered by the scope of services. Since medicine is subject to a constant process of innovation, the technical equipment is also continuously renewed in order to ensure even better diagnostic procedures. In this respect, ultrasound examinations in particular are divided into various subsections.With the aid of contrast sonography, echocardiography or even endosonography, the internist can perform special examination methods if this is necessary to investigate the complaints. On the other hand, all treatment measures can also be initiated preventively. This is particularly useful when preventive examinations are intended to avoid the onset of a disease in advance.
What should the patient pay attention to?
The basic basis necessary to enable an optimal course of therapy is trust. In this respect, an understanding basis must be established between the physician and the patient. Furthermore, it is important that affected persons can trust in the professional qualification. Serious illnesses in particular should be able to be treated at the highest medical level. While hospitals generally have a wide range of technical aids at their disposal, general practitioners are limited in this respect. This circumstance, however, does not cast doubt on the professional quality. However, a minimum standard of examination facilities should be available, as otherwise patients will have to visit other examination facilities in order to be able to present specific results. Patients looking for a specialist in internal medicine should also talk to their family doctor. As a rule, the latter should be able to make the choice much easier. Lastly, the overall impression should also be right. Sick people should always be treated in a friendly manner by both the doctor and the qualified specialist staff. A harmonious relationship forms the basis for interpersonal trust. This not only facilitates the diagnostic process, but can also positively influence the actual treatment.
