What Does An Internist Do?
An internist is a doctor who focuses on disease prevention and health promotion. They help people maintain good health and may ask patients to have frequent checkups. Internists often help patients avoid or treat problems such as high blood pressure, which often does not show any symptoms, but can lead to serious consequences. They may also consult with other specialists as needed. There is a very close relationship between an internist and his or her patients.
The profession is incredibly diverse, and many individuals pursue it. Some internists work for hospitals and are on-call 24 hours a day. Others become hospitalists. This last type of job does not require additional training, but many internists decide to pursue a fellowship and become a subspecialist in a particular area. In addition to ensuring the health of patients, internists may also conduct research and provide consultations.
An internist is the primary care provider for healthy people. They address the prevention of illness and chronic conditions. They may coordinate care with other doctors and prescribe medications. Some patients only need annual checkups to refill medications. Others have serious side effects of certain medications, which require ongoing care. An internist must be knowledgeable about many different treatments and be able to find one that will work for their specific needs. A good internist is highly trained in both internal medicine and general medicine.
An internist may pursue a career in administration or public health. These roles give internists the opportunity to gain management skills, which are necessary in all settings. Among the jobs an intern may pursue include working for a hospital or nonprofit organization. This career allows interns to develop an array of skills, such as public policy, education, and research. However, it is important to note that internships are only a part of the larger picture.
An internist treats a variety of ailments, including infections and chronic conditions. General interns see patients in offices, while those with specialized interests may pursue subspecialties, which require one to three years of fellowship training. Some internists see patients only in hospitals, while others work in hospice care or rehabilitation facilities. Others may choose to do research or administration work. To become an internist, you must complete a residency in internal medicine and pass a board examination administered by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
In order to become an internist, you must graduate from an accredited medical school and pass a board exam in the state in which you intend to practice medicine. If you’d like to specialize in a specific area, you will also need to complete a residency in that state. The American Board of Internal Medicine requires all internists to have passed the ABIM certification exam before they can practice independently. If you pass the exam, you’ll become a fully licensed intern.
In addition to the knowledge of medical research and the latest advancements in medicine, an internist should also have excellent communication skills. The ability to interact with patients is essential, as well as the ability to maintain the comfort level of the patient. You should also be physically fit because your job requires standing for long periods of time. So, if you are interested in pursuing a career as an internist, consider all the benefits it will bring to you.
