Internal medicine

About the specialty

Internal medicine cares for adults as a whole. It is often called upon for symptoms that affect several organs or whose cause has not been identified.

Based on the file and the consultation, the internist coordinates tests and, if necessary, refers the patient to another discipline. Polycrabat Sevamed organises this pathway and the liaison with the referring doctor.

Main conditions treated

• Persistent symptoms with no identified cause
• Chronic diseases: diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid disorders
• Situations involving several conditions
• Inflammatory or autoimmune diseases
• Follow-up after a hospital stay
• Assessment before a treatment or a procedure

Tests, techniques and procedures

The techniques used and their indication are decided by the doctor, case by case. As a general guide:

• Consultation and thorough clinical examination
• Laboratory tests
• Imaging tests
• Functional tests as needed

The patient pathway

1. 01
   Consultation and assessmentReview of the file, symptoms and tests already performed.
2. 02
   Referral to a specialistChoice of the most appropriate discipline and doctor.
3. 03
   Additional testsLaboratory tests, imaging or investigations depending on the medical indication.
4. 04
   Treatment and careTreatment plan defined by the medical team.
5. 05
   Hospital stay if necessaryStay and monitoring when the patient’s condition requires it.
6. 06
   Follow-up and referring doctorRelevant information is sent to the doctor in the home country.

A multidisciplinary approach

The internist works with the other specialists: cardiologists, pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, nephrologists, rheumatologists. The internist coordinates the overall strategy.

Health Info guides

Key facts to understand tests and treatments before discussing them with your doctor.

• Malaria: signs, diagnosis and prompt treatment→
• Sickle cell disease: screening, crises and long-term follow-up→
• HIV: testing, treatment and living with a controlled infection→
• Diabetes: understanding the diagnosis and preventing complications→
• Anaemia: find the cause before treating→
• Tuberculosis: diagnosis, treatment and follow-up until cure→

All Health Info guides

See also

• Internal medicine Check-Up→
• Cardiology→
• Rheumatology→
• Second medical opinion→

International patients

Polycrabat Sevamed supports patients coming from abroad: file review, referral to a specialist, scheduling appointments, hospitalisation, coordination of the medical stay and continuity with the doctor in the home country.