What is an internist and what do they treat?
An internist treats adults with general health complaints such as a fever, cough, high blood pressure, weakness or stomach pain. They manage long-term conditions, explain test results and refer you to a specialist when one is needed. If you're an adult and not sure which doctor to see, start with an internist.
What does an internist do
An internist treats internal diseases in adults: conditions of the heart and blood vessels, lungs, digestive system, kidneys and blood, as well as metabolic disorders. They look at all your symptoms together. Weakness, shortness of breath and swollen legs can have a single cause, such as anemia or heart failure, and the doctor looks for it before referring you to anyone else.
People see an internist:
- with acute illnesses such as a cold, flu, bronchitis or a stomach bug
- with long-term conditions that need monitoring for years, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, anemia or chronic gastritis
- with test results they need help understanding
- for a preventive check-up when nothing hurts
With a chronic condition, the internist follows its course over the years. At follow-up visits they review your latest test results and blood pressure log and adjust treatment if needed.
When a diagnosis or treatment calls for a specialist, the internist gives you a referral and orders tests in advance. That way you arrive at the cardiologist or endocrinologist with an ECG and test results already in hand.
Which symptoms to see an internist for
Book an appointment if:
- a fever, cough or sore throat doesn’t go away within a few days
- your blood pressure rises or changes sharply
- you often have headaches or feel dizzy
- weakness and tiredness persist even after rest
- you get short of breath during everyday activity
- you have stomach pain, heartburn or changes in your bowel habits
- your tests showed abnormal results and you’re not sure what to do next
You can also start with an internist when you don’t know which specialist you need. They’ll assess your general condition and tell you whether you need another doctor, so you won’t have to go from one office to another at random.
How is an internist different from a family doctor
Both work in primary care, and you can sign a declaration with either of them. A declaration is the document that registers you with a primary care doctor under the medical guarantee program of the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU). The difference is the patients’ age: a family doctor sees people of any age, an internist sees adults only.
For an adult patient, the care is almost the same. The doctor you have a declaration with examines and treats you, orders tests, issues e-prescriptions, including under the Affordable Medicines program, refers you to specialists and opens sick leave.
Viva Clinic’s family doctors include internists. If you sign a declaration with one of them, their appointments, basic lab tests and an ECG are free for you. Without a declaration, an internist consultation is paid.
You can switch to a Viva Clinic doctor even if you already have a declaration with another doctor: bring your passport, tax ID number and your previous declaration, if you have one, to reception, and a new one will be drawn up. The administrator will tell you which doctors are currently accepting new declarations. For more on what a primary care doctor does, read What does a family doctor do?
How to prepare for the appointment
Bring:
- any test and examination results you already have
- hospital discharge summaries, if you’ve been treated as an inpatient
- a list of the medicines you take, with doses
- your blood pressure readings for a few days, if you measure it at home
Before the visit, think about when your symptoms started and what makes them worse. It helps to note your questions for the doctor on your phone, since some are easy to forget during the appointment. Mention all your symptoms, even ones that don’t seem connected.
At the appointment, the internist will ask you questions, examine you and measure your blood pressure and oxygen saturation. If you need an ECG, it’s done at the polyclinic at 27a Sobornosti St. Lab tests are done at Diagnost-Lab at 32 Sobornosti St. A cardiologist, an endocrinologist and other specialists see patients right here at Viva Clinic, so you won’t need to travel to Kyiv, Lviv or Khmelnytskyi.
Internist appointments at Viva Clinic take place at 27a Sobornosti St or 3 Danyla Halytskoho St, and the address is confirmed when you book. You can book by phone or on Viber.
When to call an ambulance
Call an ambulance on 103 without waiting for a routine appointment if:
- you have severe chest pain or pressure that doesn’t pass within a few minutes
- you suddenly find it hard to breathe
- you suddenly develop severe abdominal pain
- an arm or leg goes numb or weak, one side of the face droops, or speech becomes slurred
- someone faints or talks in a confused way
- you vomit blood or pass black stools
See a doctor the same day if a high fever won’t come down, you get worse after a brief improvement, or your blood pressure is much higher than usual.
Questions and answers
Does an internist treat children?
No, an internist sees adults only. Children from birth to 18 are treated by a pediatrician, while a family doctor sees patients of any age. Viva Clinic has both internists and pediatricians, so the whole family can be treated at one clinic.
How is an internist different from a cardiologist?
An internist looks at your health as a whole, while a cardiologist specializes in the heart and blood vessels. With high blood pressure or an irregular heartbeat, you can start with an internist: they'll do an ECG, order tests and refer you to a cardiologist if needed. A cardiologist also sees patients at Viva Clinic in Slavuta.
Can I see an internist if nothing hurts?
Yes. Preventive check-ups are part of an internist's job: the doctor will measure your blood pressure and oxygen saturation, ask about your lifestyle and family history, and suggest which tests to take. A check-up like this makes sense if you haven't had your health checked for a while.
Do I need lab tests before seeing an internist?
No, tests are usually ordered at the appointment, once the doctor knows your symptoms. If you have recent results, bring them along. Blood tests are done at the Diagnost-Lab laboratory, and you come back to the internist with the results.
