Internal Medicine is a key medical specialty within the hospital setting that, however, often raises questions among patients. How does it differ from general medicine? What types of conditions does it treat? When should you see an internist?
We explain clearly what this specialty consists of and how it can help you better understand your health.
What is Internal Medicine?
Internal Medicine is a medical specialty focused on the comprehensive care of adult patients. Internists do not focus on a single organ or system but instead assess health from a holistic perspective.
This approach is especially important for patients with multiple symptoms or conditions, as it allows different clinical signs to be connected and understood as a whole.
In many cases, the internist acts as a coordinator of diagnosis, guiding the case and, if necessary, referring the patient to other specialists.
What conditions does it treat?
Internal Medicine covers a wide range of non-surgical conditions. The most common include:
- Respiratory diseases
- Cardiovascular conditions
- Metabolic disorders
- Infectious diseases
Internists often care for patients with complex or chronic conditions, especially when multiple organs or systems are involved.
Their ability to analyse all symptoms together helps achieve more accurate and comprehensive diagnoses.
What is the difference between Internal Medicine and General Medicine?
Although they may seem similar, Internal Medicine and General Medicine serve different roles within the healthcare system.
General practitioners are usually the first point of contact. Their role is to assess symptoms, provide an initial diagnosis and manage most common health issues.
Internists, on the other hand, are involved when cases are more complex: serious conditions, difficult-to-interpret symptoms or situations requiring a more specialised, hospital-based approach.
In this sense, general medicine initiates care, while internal medicine provides a deeper level of diagnosis when needed.
What type of patients does it treat?
Internists mainly treat adult patients with:
- Chronic diseases
- Complex conditions
- Symptoms affecting multiple organs
- Conditions not resolved after previous consultations
They also frequently treat patients with multiple coexisting conditions, where a global approach is essential to understand how they interact.
When should you see an Internal Medicine specialist?
Seeing an internist is recommended in several situations:
- When symptoms are unclear or have no obvious cause
- When there are symptoms affecting different organs or systems without a clear connection
- When no diagnosis has been reached after consulting multiple specialists
- In cases of complex or chronic conditions requiring a global follow-up
When symptoms persist or are difficult to interpret, a comprehensive evaluation can be the first step towards a clear diagnosis.
Book an appointment with CreuBlanca’s Internal Medicine team and receive personalised care tailored to your needs.