What is Adult and Internal Medicine?

Primary Care Physicians for Adults

Your primary care provider is your partner is healthcare—providing routine care for illness and injuries, managing long-term concerns, and helping you reach your goals. Your provider should be one you trust and one that has experience and expertise with your specific healthcare concerns. For many adults, the best fit for a primary care physician could be an Adult and Internal Medicine provider.

What is Adult and Internal Medicine?

Just like Pediatrics is primary care specifically for children, Adult and Internal Medicine is a type of primary care specifically for adults ages 18 and older, with a focus on preventive care, early disease detection, and disease management—it’s like Family Medicine for adults only. Adult and Internal Medicine providers can be doctors of internal medicine or “internists” (not to be confused with an intern—a doctor in their first year of residency) or Family Medicine providers with a specialty in treating adults. Both receive specialized training in preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions that affect people during their adult lives.

A majority of adult health issues—blood pressure, kidney disease, heart disease—are first identified in adults by primary care doctors, giving them the opportunity to start treatment early, and stop the disease from progressing.

Care for the complex

Those who have complicated medical histories, who take multiple medications, or who suffer from unknown symptoms can be ideal patients for Adult and Internal Medicine. Providers are experts in recognizing and caring for chronic illnesses and conditions such as COPD, diabetes, sleep apnea, severe obesity, and other disorders. An Internal Medicine doctor may prescribe medication, explain what steps patients should take to improve their health, consult with specialists, and coordinate specialty care if required.

Preventive health & wellness

Adult and Internal Medicine primary care physicians and providers offer preventive care, including wellness exams and immunizations. You should see your primary care doctor annually to evaluate your overall health, even if you aren’t experiencing specific symptoms. Because health issues don’t arise overnight, getting predisposed factors such as weight or high blood pressure under control early in adult life can help you to avoid health issues later. Your Internal Medicine provider can work with you to map out the steps you can take to improve your general physical and mental health, including learning to eat healthier or exercise more, or eliminating unhealthy habits.

Samaritan Healthcare’s Adult and Internal Medicine providers are accepting new appointments for patients ages 18 and older in all stages of life—from young adult to elder health. Adult and Internal Medicine is located at Samaritan Clinic on Pioneer, Suite 150. Call 509.793.9780 for more information.