Pain here, fatigue there, occasional insomnia. Nothing serious, but nothing normal either. And when you go to the doctor, everything seems isolated. A symptom here, another there. But no one connects the dots. That's where Internal Medicine comes in.
This specialty doesn't focus on a single organ or limit itself to a rapid diagnosis. It examines the whole picture, analyzes the patient's history, and constructs a comprehensive view of the patient. In a multi-specialty healthcare system, the internist is often the one who puts the pieces together.
What does an Internal Medicine specialist do?
An internist is a doctor specializing in adults, trained to diagnose and treat diseases that affect multiple systems at once. Their role is often compared to that of a clinical detective, as they analyze scattered symptoms and looks for connections that others do not see.
Some of the internist’s most common responsibilities include:
- Evaluating patients with complex symptoms or without a clear diagnosis
- Managing chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes or COPD
- Coordinating treatments with other medical specialties
- Providing long-term support to patients with multiple pathologies
If you've ever felt like "something's not right" but no one can find the cause, an internist might be the doctor you need.
When should you consult Internal Medicine?
Many people come to an internist after having already seen several specialists. But in reality, it could have been their first step.
Consider making an appointment with an internist if:
- You have more than one chronic illness at the same time
- Your symptoms don’t clearly point to a specific specialty (e.g. persistent fatigue, recurring fevers, or unexplained weight loss)
- You have received conflicting diagnoses or ineffective treatments
- You need a comprehensive approach that connects different systems
How Internal Medicine coordinates with other specialties
The internist plays a key role in interdisciplinary work. This capacity for collaboration is one of the core strengths of Internal Medicine, especially in hospital settings or when the diagnosis is not obvious.
While a cardiologist treats the heart or a nephrologist treats the kidneys, the internist evaluates how all the systems interact together. He or she is often the first point of contact and acts as a coordinator when the involvement of other specialists is needed.
For example, an internist may refer the patient to:
- A cardiologist, in case of suspected heart failure
- An endocrinologist, for uncontrolled diabetes
- A rheumatologist if there are inflammatory joint symptoms
Relationship between Internal Medicine and Family Medicine
They also frequently collaborate with the family doctor, who understands the patient's overall situation. While the family doctor focuses on ongoing care, the internist intervenes when the situation requires a more in-depth or specialized evaluation.
Five profiles of internists according to the type of patient they serve
Although all internists are trained to approach the body as a whole, many develop experience with specific types of patients or clinical settings. Here we explain the five most common profiles.
1. Chronic diseases
Controlling hypertension, managing diabetes, and adjusting treatments for people with high cholesterol or a history of heart disease. This type of internist assists patients who require long-term follow-up and periodic adjustments, even when the disease appears stable.
2. Hospitalized patients or those with acute conditions
When someone is admitted to the hospital with several health problems at once—an infection, metabolic imbalance, a fall resulting in a fracture—the hospital internist is the one who coordinates their care. They also participate in preoperative assessments and postoperative follow-up, ensuring that all treatments are compatible.
3. Elderly or frail patients
In older adults, the priority is not always to treat each disease separately, but rather to understand how they relate. Many internists specialize in clinical geriatrics, adjusting treatments, detecting adverse effects, and helping to preserve autonomy and quality of life.
4. Symptoms difficult to classify
Persistent fatigue, fevers that come and go, unexplained weight loss… When symptoms don't fit neatly into a single specialty, the internist evaluates them all. Some even focus on complex or rare infections, such as HIV, tuberculosis, or endocarditis.
5. Patients in advanced or terminal stages
In situations where the goal is no longer to cure but rather to provide support, some internists specialize in palliative care. Their role is to relieve pain, improve comfort, and respect the patient's wishes in the final stages of their illness, working as a team with the family and other professionals.
What types of medications does an internist prescribe?
Internists not only diagnose, they also treat, often through the use of medications that aim to improve the patient's quality of life or control chronic conditions.
Among the most common treatments are:
- Anti-inflammatories and pain relievers, such as Ibuprofen or dexketoprofen (known commercially as Enantyum), used to manage acute or chronic pain in muscular, joint, or post-surgical conditions.
- Antidiabetics such as metformin or semaglutide (known commercially as Ozempic), used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, especially in patients with obesity or insulin resistance.
- Statins, anticoagulants and gastric protectors, in patients with cardiovascular risk or in combined treatments.
- Antibiotics or antiviral treatments, in systemic or rare infections.
- Cholecalciferol in high doses, such as the one containing Hydroferol, often used to treat deficiencies in older or frail patients.
The key point is that they are not prescribed randomly: the internist evaluates the entire clinical picture before defining the best treatment for each case.
For a broader view of how essential medicines are selected and used worldwide, you can read this updated report from the World Health Organization.
Frequently Asked Questions About Internal Medicine
Yes, it is a specialized doctor who can prescribe any necessary treatment for adults.
No. General practitioners do not specialize in complex diagnoses, while internists spend years training to evaluate and manage them.
In some contexts, yes. Especially in hospitals or specialized clinics. But this task usually falls to the family doctor.
Not necessarily. You can see an internist if you have diffuse symptoms, if you already have several diagnosed conditions, or if you're simply looking for a comprehensive clinical approach to your health.
No. Internal Medicine focuses on adults. In Europe and Latin America, they typically treat patients from the age of 16; in countries like the United States, they treat patients from the age of 18.
Yes, frequently. Especially if they have multiple chronic illnesses or frailty.
Still have questions?
Despite its importance, Internal Medicine sometimes doesn't receive the recognition it deserves. It isn't the most widely covered specialty, nor does it often make headlines. But as many doctors affirm, it's a quiet but key specialty. In hospitals and clinics, they maintain clinical balance and prevent hasty diagnoses.
In a world where medicine tends to divide the body into parts, internal medicine focuses on the whole. Internists are specialists who listen, evaluate, connect symptoms, and provide ongoing support. They play a vital role in hospitals, clinics, and complex medical decisions.
If you are not sure what type of specialist you need or what branch to go to depending on your symptoms, we recommend you consult our complete guide to medical specialties, which can help you better navigate the healthcare system.
