Internist: What do they do?

Internists (Internal Medicine physicians) are specialists in adult healthcare. They diagnose, treat, and prevent the full spectrum of medical conditions affecting adults ages 18 and older, with a strong focus on complex and chronic diseases. If you're looking for an evidence-based, detail-oriented physician dedicated to long-term adult wellness, an internist is the ideal choice.

Medically reviewed by: Suja Shenoy, MD

Board-Certified in Internal Medicine

Primary Care Physician | Shenoy Primary Care | Midland, Michigan

Internists complete three years of intensive residency training focused exclusively on adult medicine. During this time, they rotate through subspecialties such as cardiology, endocrinology, pulmonology, nephrology, rheumatology, gastroenterology, infectious diseases, and more. This comprehensive training equips them to:

• Manage multiple chronic conditions

• Diagnose complex or unclear symptoms

• Prevent long-term illness through screenings

• Interpret advanced diagnostic tests

• Coordinate care with specialists when needed

• Provide comprehensive ongoing primary care

Internists are often known as “the doctor’s doctor.”  Physicians frequently rely on internists for help with complex adult medical problems.

Internists are experts in evaluating and treating conditions such as:

• Diabetes and pre-diabetes

• High blood pressure (hypertension)

• High cholesterol

• Thyroid disorders (hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism)

• Heart disease risk management

• Asthma and COPD

• Digestive concerns

• Anemia and vitamin deficiencies

• Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions

• Sleep problems

• Preventive care, annual physicals, and wellness planning and many more.

Internists emphasize early detection and prevention through:

• Annual physicals

• Age-specific screening tests

• Lifestyle and risk-factor counseling

• Medication optimization

• Long-term plans to lower disease risk

This prevention-first approach helps adults stay healthier for longer.

Choosing an internist means choosing a physician who understands the unique medical needs of adults in Midland, Baycity, Saginaw, Sanford, Freeland, and the surrounding Great Lakes Bay Region. Local adult patients benefit from a dedicated, evidence-based approach to long-term health management.

At Shenoy Primary Care, adult patients receive care from our internist Dr. Suja Shenoy.

• Evidence-based care guided by the strongest clinical research

• Compassionate, patient-centered visits

• A physician who is board-certified in Internal Medicine

• Personalized prevention and chronic disease management

• Same-week appointments

• A welcoming, modern clinic environment

An internist becomes your trusted partner for:

• Tracking your health trends over time

• Identifying early signs of disease

• Providing continuity through every stage of adulthood

• Coordinating specialty care when appropriate

• Ensuring safe, efficient, and effective treatment plans

This long-term relationship is one of the greatest benefits of internal medicine.

Who is an internist?

An internist is a physician specializing in adult medicine. They diagnose, treat, and prevent medical conditions in adults ages 18 and older.

Do internists do annual physicals?

Yes. Internists perform comprehensive physicals and preventive screenings to keep adults healthy.

Can an internist manage chronic diseases?

Absolutely. Internists are experts in treating diabetes, thyroid disorders, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, and more.

Is an internist the same as a primary care doctor?

Yes. Internists provide full-spectrum primary care for adults, with additional expertise in complex conditions.

Should adults 18+ choose an internist?

Yes. Internists are the most specialized choice for long-term adult healthcare.

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