Learn more about Internal Medicine Specialists
An internist specializes in providing adults with comprehensive prevention, diagnosis and treatment services for a wide range of diseases and conditions, including infections, minor injuries, and acute and chronic diseases. Internists are highly skilled as diagnosticians. They also provide adults with regular, routine primary healthcare services.
An internist typically:
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Evaluates a patient’s medical history and teaches the patient about wellness and disease prevention
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Diagnoses and treats acute diseases and conditions including infections, injuries, and gastrointestinal conditions
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Screens, treats and monitors a range of chronic physical conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disease, heart disease, and depression
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Orders and interprets laboratory and imaging tests and prescribes medications
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Consults with other members of a patient’s medical and surgical team
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Provides cancer screenings, such as skin and thyroid checks and breast exams
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Performs reproductive health screenings including pelvic exams, Pap smears, and sexually transmitted disease (STD) screenings
- Provides family planning and contraceptive counseling
Internists may also be known by the following names: internal medicine doctor, general internist, primary care doctor, internal medicine physician, physician of internal medicine, general practitioner, and adult doctor.
There are 2017 specialists practicing Internal Medicine in Alabama with an overall average rating of 3.9 stars. There are 191 hospitals in Alabama with affiliated Internal Medicine specialists, including UAB Hospital, Huntsville Hospital and St. Vincent's Birmingham.