Internal medicine is most easily defined as primary care for adults. It is a vast field and internal medicine doctors deal with a variety of cases in adults of all ages from 18 to 100+.
An internal medicine doctor is otherwise known as an internist, general practice doctor, or general physician. BronxDocs' primary care team is made up of pediatricians, and family and general practitioners. Their role is to build a relationship with their patients based on open communication and trust.
Since internal medicine is concerned with the treatment of adults, this relationship is especially important. Adults can identify when they are in poor health, but unless they have a good channel of communication with their general practitioner, they may not confide in them until their condition has deteriorated.
General facts around adult health in the U.S., NYC, and the Bronx
- Despite the fact that chronic diseases are on the rise, U.S. adults of working age are less frequently visiting a medical professional such as a doctor, nurse, or general practitioner.1
- Bronx, NY adult residents are 33% more likely to report their health status as being 'fair' or 'poor' than those in New York City overall.2
- Adults are generally good at rating their own health. When asked to rate their health status as 'excellent', 'good', 'fair', or 'poor', those who rated their health status as lower tended to have health problems.3
If you suspect that you have a condition or are in poor health, it is worth consulting your internal medicine doctor. The sooner you are diagnosed and treated, the better your prognosis. Should you not have any immediate conditions, your general medicine doctor can still advise you of your risks based on your age, weight, sex, and related factors, and create a preventive treatment plan, if necessary.
A recent study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at the main reasons for office-based physician visits.4 Here were some of the key findings:
The reasons
- 37% of all office-based physician visits were linked to chronic conditions.
- 27% were as a result of a new problem.
- 23% were for preventive care.
- 7% were as a result of injury.
- 6% were related to pre- or post-surgery care.
Who were the patients?
- Appointments for people over the age of 65 were mostly related to chronic conditions and pre- and post-surgery care.
- Children's appointments were mostly related to preventive care and new problems.5
Chronic problems are on the rise,6 and as we age we acquire new problems. Some are interlinked. For example, patients with diabetes are more likely to develop other complications and chronic problems, such as vascular diseases and kidney problems.7 Regular appointments with your internal medicine doctor are essential not only in managing chronic conditions but in preventing further complications.
Here at BronxDocs
Trust and open communication are essential for effective diagnosis and care. Internists are not just here to deal with your injuries, or chronic conditions, they are also on hand to listen to your concerns about your health and intervene with preventative treatments before your condition deteriorates.
As part of our plan for seamless communication, we use myChart, an app that keeps you in direct communication with your physician, and where you can view your lab and test results and control your scheduling.
We provide on-site laboratory services, certain radiology services, ophthalmic laser surgery, nuclear studies with a nuclear camera for diagnosing certain cardiac conditions, and physical therapy, all in one convenient location, maximizing the efficiency of diagnosis and treatment of certain major conditions.
Should you find yourself in need of an emergency appointment, we offer walk-in care with no appointment necessary.
Citations
3. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. “Community Heath Profiles. 2nd Edition” (2006)
5. Ashman, Jill J. et al. (2019)
7. Deshpande, Anjali D et al. “Epidemiology of diabetes and diabetes-related complications.” Physical therapy vol. 88,11 (2008): 1254-64. doi:10.2522/ptj.20080020