Internal Medicine - Costa Rica Newlook

An internist, also called a general internist or doctor of internal medicine, is a medical doctor that specializes in the diagnosis and medical (nonsurgical) treatment of adults. Internists provide long-term, comprehensive care and manage both common and complex diseases. An internist can serve as a primary care physician or as a consultant to other medical specialists. Many internists also are involved in research and teaching.

Internists provide comprehensive medical care, usually in private practice (e.g., office, clinic), and also care for patients in hospitals (including intensive care units) and in nursing homes. They do not perform surgery. When other specialists, such as surgeons and obstetricians, are involved in a patient's care, internists often coordinate and manage treatment.

Internists generally act as personal physicians and often develop long-term relationships with their patients. They perform examinations, make diagnoses, treat acute illness (e.g., infections, influenza) and chronic disease (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure), and also incorporate disease prevention and mental health (including substance abuse) into the care they provide. Internists prescribe and administer medications, immunizations, and treatments.