In order to find the right primary care physician for you and your loved ones, it is important to take into account not only their reputation as physicians, but also how they click with you on a personal level. No matter how great an internist is at internal medicine, if the two of you butt heads, compliance and adequate treatment may be difficult. The best internists are patient and understanding with the many questions new patients bring with them. They will ask a series of their own questions designed to figure out their new patient’s needs. Any person over the age of 18 must find a steady internist in order to receive the proper preventative care needed to maintain health. The right internist will ensure the correct physical exams, screenings, and vaccinations are given in order to promote a healthy state of living for their patients.
Catch Pre-existing Conditions or Risks Early
In addition, in the pursuit of good internal medicine, your primary care physician will ask many questions regarding personal and family medical history. This is in order to provide accurate testing and care for any disease or pre-existing conditions you have or may be at risk for. If cancer runs in your family, for example, it may be relevant to begin cancer screening before the recommended age. If type one diabetes or heart conditions are common in your family, it is important to screen for these early for your safety.
What Internists Can Treat and Diagnose
If you are healthy, a visit to your primary care physician can be as simple and infrequent as a yearly check-up. These appointments are made in order to ensure a maintained level of good health, offer advice about preventative measures, such as physical exams and tests, and give you overall peace of mind that you are in top shape.
Those with illnesses, however, can also get treatment from internists. Although specialists, such as cardiologists and ophthalmologists, exist, your primary care physician is concerned more generally in your overall health and well-being. From a sudden rash between your toes in need of cream to a fractured wrist in need of a cast, your primary care physician is focused on the overall treatment of your body and mind. These men and women are not focused on treatments for one individual part of your body, but of you as an entire individual. If you are at least 18 years old and do not have a primary care physician set up for your health needs, it is imperative that you make the call at your earliest convenience. Do not risk your long- and short-term health for fear of needles or new people.
