Internal Medicine Anniston, AL

Internal medicine is simply put as primary care for adults. Internists are physicians that practice internal medicine and focus on the prevention and treatment of a comprehensive range of health concerns and diseases.

RMC Health System’s internists are trained in adult medicine and care for adolescents and adults with a wide range of health concerns, from common illnesses to complex, chronic medical problems. They’re well-equipped to solve complex diagnostic challenges and can manage care for severe chronic conditions or in situations where multiple illnesses are involved.

Collaborative Care at RMC Health System

Internists coordinate your care with other specialists as necessary to provide thorough, top-notch care. Your internist acts as your health advocate by facilitating appropriate screenings, disseminating knowledge about living a healthy lifestyle, or managing chronic diseases. Internists offer a wide variety of services, such as:

Care for common problems of the ears, eyes, skin, and nervous and reproductive systems
Diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic diseases, including arthritis, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure
Immunizations
Inpatient and outpatient care for diseases
Preventive care, including physical exams and well-woman exams
Sports physical exams
Senior care services

What’s an “Internist”?

Internists are adult primary care doctors. They have a different training set compared to family practitioners and other physicians. While primary care or family physicians focus on preventative care—internists actively work with patients that have already developed the conditions they specialize in.

Physicians who practice internal medicine often specialize in any number of subspecialties. These require additional education, meaning they can help with specific problems. Most often, adults will be referred to an internal medicine doctor by their primary or family medicine doctor.

Internal Medicine Subspecialties

Within internal medicine, there are several subspecialties that an internal care practitioner might specialize in. The most commonly found subspecialties include:

Allergy and Immunology—immune system treatment
Cardiology and Cardiovascular Disease—treating heart and circulatory system problems
Transplantation and Advanced Heart Failure Cardiology—advanced treatment of heart disease patients
Patients who present with organ system failures and other critical care needs are referred to critical care medicine
Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism—Diabetes and other glandular or metabolic disorders patients
Gastroenterology is the treatment of the digestive system, liver, and gallbladder
Infectious disease treatment includes the treatment of bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections
Care for the liver or kidneys
Oncology—the treatment of cancer
Treatment of the lungs and respiratory system is known as pulmonary disease
Rheumatology is the study and treatment of joints and the musculoskeletal system
Urology is the treatment of the urological system, which includes the reproductive and urinary systems

While internal medicine doctors may focus on one of the subspecialties, they frequently work as part of a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals who share information about patients and their treatment plans. Working with the internists at RMC Health System will be beneficial for patients who present with conditions that fall under more than one subspecialty; our team will collaborate on your diagnosis and treatment for compassionate care!

Diagnosis and Treatment

Internal medicine practitioners employ various diagnostic techniques and treatment protocols to establish an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

Diagnostic methods can include the following:

Physical examinations—diagnostics, like most forms of health care, will begin with a physical exam
Testing—each subspecialty has a unique set of testing protocols that will be followed to ensure an accurate diagnosis
Blood tests and labs—blood and urine samples are standard diagnostic techniques internists use to determine the patient’s health concerns
Screening scans such as MRI, CT scans, and other technologies are used to obtain an accurate picture of the body’s internal workings
Collaborative consultations—when necessary, an internist will consult with other internists from different subspecialties to make an accurate diagnosis and plan a comprehensive care plan

Depending on the condition, treatment protocols may differ. Internal medicine physicians are trained to treat conditions with medications, physical therapies, minor and minimally invasive surgeries and procedures, and preventative care plans.

Differences Between Internal Medicine and General/Family Practice

The truth is internists are not the same as general practitioners and family physicians. While both types of doctors are considered or known as primary care physicians—and the terms are frequently used interchangeably. One significant distinction is that internists only see adults, whereas family practitioners see children and adults.

Internal medicine specialists are trained to offer:

Accurate diagnosis of a wide range of symptoms and diseases, as well as prompt treatment for them
Knowledge of ailments that can affect any system of the body, giving advice, counseling, and preventative measures for better overall health
Palliative care and comprehensive lifelong care for those approaching their golden years
Treatment for mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety caused by irrational brain activity, a chronic illness, or hormonal imbalances

Your health care is our top priority at the RMC Health System center. Our team of multidisciplinary internal medicine and critical care medical professionals can help guide you to better health.

Family Practice Doctors

Unlike internists, general family practitioners treat children, obstetrics, and minor surgery in addition to adults. General family practitioners can treat various clinical conditions and provide patients with acute, chronic, and wellness care.

Often, family practitioners will refer patients to an internal medicine professional for a specific treatment, such as in the case of immunology, oncology, rheumatology, or other specialized fields.

Schedule an Appointment With RMC Health System

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RMC Health System takes pride in providing the highest quality of care to both returning and new patients regardless of their condition. Our internal medicine doctors are eager to assist you in taking the next step toward better health.