Can you go to an internist for everything? (pain, ache, doctor)

[Layden85]

I was going to a family dr. She didn’t seem to helpful. I also went to a endocrinologist and I decided myself to go to a cardiologist because of something labeled on my ekg and the cardiologist said I didn’t have. I don’t have time with work to go to follow up appt with several dr and meds prescribed through different dr. I’ve decided to change the family dr to an internist that was recommended. I would like to work with him and get my refills from him. I would go to a separate Ob/gyne.

[Parnassia]

You're being a bit obtuse here and letting yourself get bamboozled by semantics. Many many "family doctors" are trained internists. They may not treat children. Some may choose to specialize a bit more and gain expertise in specific organs and conditions than others. An internist may treat a broad range of conditions but certainly not everything. So sorry, but healthcare isn't one-stop shopping any longer. In general, that's a good thing. No one, not even a specialist can know everything.

One simple example...an internist isn't a surgeon. I wouldn't expect an internist to repair a torn ligament, clear a clogged artery, or know the most current treatment for some dermatological condition.

What a family doctor/internist/general practitioner can do for you is triage and provide a referral to the most appropriate specialist. Depending on your insurance plan, you may not be able to walk in to see a specialist without one. Consider them a portal, not a panacea.

If you don't feel you have time to work with specialists, that's your decision. FWIW, I've had meds prescribed by a specialist readily refilled by my PCP (cough...internist). You want to keep your PCP/internist updated about any meds you're taking in any case.

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-internist

[TashaPosh]

Originally Posted by Layden85

Can you go to an internist for everything?

Originally Posted by Layden85

I was going to a family dr. She didn’t seem to helpful. I also went to a endocrinologist and I decided myself to go to a cardiologist because of something labeled on my ekg and the cardiologist said I didn’t have. I don’t have time with work to go to follow up appt with several dr and meds prescribed through different dr. I’ve decided to change the family dr to an internist that was recommended.

Ofc. The main difference is that a family physician sees children too. So they are like an internist & pediatrician combined. It’s totally possible you may need to see a cardiologist in addition to either one tho.

edit: Adults can see either a family physician or internist for their primary care. They are good at helping you coordinate specialist referrals & follow ups if you need them.

[Texas Ag 93]

I think sometimes there is confusion because there are multiple specialties, including Family Medicine, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, that are collectively considered PCP's or General Practitioners. And while that's an accurate umbrella term, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics are all separate and distinct specialties with different training and board certification, even though they overlap.

I switched from Family Medicine to an Internist when I relocated to my present city in my mid 40s. I just thought it seemed like a good time to do so since Internists have a bit more comprehensive training in adult medicine and its subspecialties. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't consider seeing someone in boarded in Family Medicine instead.

[TashaPosh]

Originally Posted by Texas Ag 93

I think sometimes there is confusion because there are multiple specialties, including Family Medicine, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, that are collectively considered PCP's or General Practitioners. And while that's an accurate umbrella term, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics are all separate and distinct specialties with different training and board certification, even though they overlap.

AND what makes it even more confusing for a lot of ppl is that not all Internists are the same. Many have additional education & training to specialize in nephrology, pulmonology, cardiology & other sub specialties BUT they still have the same general internist background. But IMO the O.P. is just asking about a general internist for primary care. So O.P….yes, you can.^^

edit: AND internal medicine specialists don’t usually see general & preventive care patients.

[luckyme609]

Originally Posted by Layden85

I was going to a family dr. She didn’t seem to helpful. I also went to a endocrinologist and I decided myself to go to a cardiologist because of something labeled on my ekg and the cardiologist said I didn’t have. I don’t have time with work to go to follow up appt with several dr and meds prescribed through different dr. I’ve decided to change the family dr to an internist that was recommended. I would like to work with him and get my refills from him. I would go to a separate Ob/gyne.

You are leaving out why you think you need to see an endocrinologist and a cardiologist. They both do very different things. What exactly is the issue?

Also a PCP is usually needed to give a referral for specialists.

[Hemlock140]

I have always gone to a primary care physician, but in the last few years have been referred and now also regularly see:
Oncologist
Urologist
Nephrologist
Vascular Surgeon

I've always thought it best to go to the specialist with the most training and experience in the problem you are facing.

[cb2008]

Originally Posted by luckyme609

You are leaving out why you think you need to see an endocrinologist and a cardiologist. They both do very different things. What exactly is the issue?

Also a PCP is usually needed to give a referral for specialists.

I sympathize with OP’s post. My insurance does not need a referral to see a specialist. If one part of my body is troubling me i don’t know who I should see, it is not aways clear. I end up going to my GP, general practitioner who is also a specialist in rheumatologist. I see her because I like and trust her, not because I have rheumatoid problems. If I experience persistent ache in my lower back, I dont know of I should go see her or an orthopedist. I go see her and she says it is muscle tissue pain, take an ibu and get a ball to roll on your back and thigh which was also hurting and do some stretches. I follow her advice.
If I have sharp pain in my foot do i see my GP or a podiatrist?
It is not always clear unless you already have a set of specialists lined up.

[bpollen]

Originally Posted by Layden85

I was going to a family dr. She didn’t seem to helpful. I also went to a endocrinologist and I decided myself to go to a cardiologist because of something labeled on my ekg and the cardiologist said I didn’t have. I don’t have time with work to go to follow up appt with several dr and meds prescribed through different dr. I’ve decided to change the family dr to an internist that was recommended. I would like to work with him and get my refills from him. I would go to a separate Ob/gyne.

Yes. It's the older person's equivalent of a general practice doctor, only qualified to do more. One stop shopping, until you need a specialist for a condition, maybe. Like cancer.

[GeoffD]

The giant group practices live by referring to their specialists. The internal medicine guy has a business role to create all those expensive referrals when they probably have the expertise to handle the issue themselves.