What is Internal Medicine?
Internal Medicine in Miami represents a branch of medicine that deals with diagnosing, treating, and managing acute and chronic diseases related to the internal organs. This medical specialty requires in-depth knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, as well as pathophysiology and comprehensive knowledge of disease processes.
To practice internal medicine, a specialist must have a solid foundation in clinical science, diagnostic testing, and patient management techniques.
This advanced practice of medicine is often referred to as “general” or “internist” care because it provides comprehensive services to patients with general medical conditions – common diseases that don’t require surgical or specialist care. This practice also involves routine diagnosis, monitoring, and management of patients who have pre-existing chronic diseases like diabetes or hypertension.
What is the Difference Between Internal Medicine in Miami and Traditional Family Medicine?
The primary difference we can observe between internal medicine in Miami and traditional family practice is the scope of care that each specialty involves.
Physicians in this specialty are trained to look for even the tiniest of abnormalities in their patients’ health and to provide a more detailed diagnosis as a result. Internists typically manage chronic diseases more than family physicians and focus on treating more serious conditions in more serious ways.
Internal Medicine
Internal medicine focuses on diagnoses, treatment, and management of both acute and chronic diseases related to the internal organs.
Family Medicine
Family medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of health problems that affect individuals, families, communities, and populations.
In other words, a family medicine physician has a broader scope of practice than an internist because they are trained to treat all areas of health including routine care and general medicine. This means they are prepared to deal with all health care issues, from preventive care to managing chronic conditions and treating acute illnesses.
A family medicine physician can perform minor surgeries, such as removing skin lesions or removing cysts, as well as attend to patients with both minor and major injuries. They can also prescribe medications such as antibiotics and heart medications.
While internists do typically care for patients with all types of diseases, they are trained to be more thorough and meticulous in their diagnostic techniques.
High-Quality Personalized Health Care
Providing integrated care that combines conventional and functional medicine
What is the Primary Role of an Internal Medicine Physician?
The primary role of an internist is to diagnose and treat patients with both minor and serious diseases. They also manage patients with pre-existing chronic diseases, such as diabetes or hypertension. Physicians in this specialty are also responsible for educating their patients on how to manage their health and stay well through lifestyle changes.
Internists are trained to diagnose diseases accurately, which means they spend more time with each patient and rely on more accurate diagnostic testing. While a family physician may rely on a blood pressure reading to diagnose hypertension in a short office visit, an internist may use an electrocardiogram (EKG) to diagnose a heart problem.
In addition to diagnosing and treating diseases in their patients, internists also work to prevent diseases and promote wellness. During routine visits, physicians in this specialty discuss wellness topics such as diet, exercise, and smoking cessation to encourage patients to maintain good health. Internists also provide immunizations and vaccinations when appropriate.
A physician practicing internal medicine in Miami has varied responsibilities each day, presenting all-new sets of challenges. However, there are key responsibilities common to this specialty:
- Diagnosing diseases: Internal medicine physicians are trained to carefully examine each of their patients, even if they do not present with any symptoms of a disease. This thorough approach allows physicians in this specialty to diagnose diseases, such as infections, that patients may not even realize they have.
- Managing chronic diseases: Some of the diseases that internists manage include heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and hypertension. These are chronic conditions that require patient education, medication management, and specialized care.
- Prescribing medications: Physicians in this specialty may recommend lifestyle changes and therapies to their patients, but medications are often the best treatment for certain diseases. Internists may prescribe antibiotics for bacterial infections, blood pressure medications for hypertension, blood sugar medications for diabetes, and therapies for asthma or COPD.
Internal Medicine in Miami | Dr. Faride Ramos
The practice of internal medicine is both rewarding and challenging for specialists and their patients. Physicians in this specialty care for patients with both minor and serious diseases, manage chronic diseases, and educate their patients on how to stay well and healthy.
If you or a loved one suffer from chronic disease or are seeking care from a physician of internal medicine in Miami, Dr. Faride Ramos is a crucial resource in the South Florida community. Reach out to our team today for more information!
