Find the Best Internists in San Francisco, CA!

An internist, also called a Doctor of Internal Medicine, is a physician who specializes in treating adults. These doctors apply their expertise, knowledge and experience to the diagnosis and treatment of adults over the age of 18 with acute and chronic conditions, as well as providing wellness care and preventive services. Along with routine medical care, your internist also identifies potential health problems to promote your overall health. Internists may serve as your primary care provider, but they aren’t family doctors or general practitioners.

Internists are health care professionals who provide general medical assistance and advice. They diagnose and treat a range of diseases, including:

• Hypertension
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Mental health concerns
• Obesity
• Lung disease
• Trauma
• Common illnesses, such as colds and flu

Your internist records your medical history and develops an ongoing relationship with you as you age. Building a relationship with your internist makes for smooth transitions as you develop age-related health issues. Additional services you may receive from your Internist include:

• Regular checkups
• Vaccinations
• Counseling through life’s changes
• Preventative advice
• Weight loss plans
• Referrals to specialists
• Coordination of all your medical procedures

Most internists have specific training in a multitude of conditions. Following medical school, they serve a three-year residency as an internist, after which they can work in their own practice, join a medical group or work in a hospital. They’re usually experienced in providing treatment for a wide range of issues, including:

• Asthma, diabetes, heart disease and other chronic conditions
• High blood pressure
• Ear, nose and throat care
• Bone and joint care
• Behavioral and mental health care

Your internist may be your go-to doctor for all your basic medical needs. An internist is the medical professional you see for the majority of your health care needs, including routine wellness visits and screenings, non-emergency illnesses like sore throats and sports-related injuries. Internists are usually available for services such as:

• X-rays
• Blood tests
• Minor surgeries
• Smoking cessation
• Referrals to physical therapists, surgeons and other specialists

Kaly is a free online service that helps you find internists who treat your symptoms and address their underlying causes. Based on the information you provide to the system, you get a list of doctors who meet your search criteria, as well as their available appointment slots. You can book your appointment directly on Kaly, hassle-free.

When searching for an internist on Kaly, you can filter your search by gender, in addition to other criteria like location and hours. When you specify your preferences, your results only show internists near you who match your requirements. So, you can find a female doctor with the other attributes and qualifications you selected.

On Kaly, you’re able to search specifically for a nearby Internist with availability in the evenings, early mornings or on weekends. You can find a number of Internists who offer appointments on Saturdays and Sundays.

Most of the time, insurance companies provide coverage for electronic video visits. Typically, video visits are charged at the same cost as in-person visits. On Kaly, you’re able to search specifically for an Internist who offers e-visits and accepts your insurance for the online appointments. You can do so by selecting your insurance carrier and plan from the drop-down menu. It’s recommended that you check with your insurance carrier to verify your coverage, as well as your out-of-pocket costs for video visits and other services.

You have to take into consideration factors like your age, family history and your risk for contracting disease when figuring out how often you need a check-up from your internist. Unless you’re under the doctor’s care for an ongoing condition, follow general guidelines for routine wellness visits according to your age:

• Age 30 or younger with no outstanding health issues: Visit your doctor every two or three years for a physical exam.
• 50-plus: Physicals every year are more important. Both men and women need colonoscopies to screen for colon cancer every five to 10 years. Women 50 and older or with a family history of cancer need to discuss getting regular mammograms with their internist.
• 65-plus: Consider the benefits of getting pneumococcal vaccines and regular flu vaccines. T this age, you’re at higher risk for the flu and pneumonia.

If you’ve already filled out your initial paperwork on Kaly, you only need to bring your insurance card, ID card, and a list of any medications you are currently taking, including the dosage of vitamins and supplements you take.

After a brief conversation about your general health and any concerns you may have, your internist checks your:

• Temperature
• Height
• Weight
• Pulse rate
• Blood pressure

Your doctor compares your current measurements to previous years to look for any alarming changes. Your internist listens to your heart and lungs. In addition to these physical health checks, this is the time to talk about:

• Symptoms you’re concerned about
• Recent illnesses
• Medications and side effects
• Drug and alcohol use
• Questions concerning your mental and physical health

You may need blood tests to screen for diseases, such as diabetes or high cholesterol. Patients over 50 may be referred to a clinic for colon cancer screening.

Your internist asks questions about your lifestyle and habits, including your smoking, drinking and exercise. Your doctor of internal medicine asks about your family history of illness, as well and your work and home environment to determine if they pose any health issues.

Consider important factors while choosing an internist. Make sure you put your priorities into your Kaly search:

• Location. The most important factor is where the internist’s office is located in San Francisco. Make sure it’s in a convenient location for you.
• Office hours. The chosen internist should ideally have appointment time slots that are well-suited for you now and in the future. You can search for off-hour appointments on Kaly.
• Insurance. To avoid out-of-pocket expenses, ensure that the internist you choose accepts your insurance. On Kaly, you can get a list of in-network doctors by selecting your insurance carrier and plan.
• Patient reviews. You can browse through trustworthy patient reviews before you book an appointment on Kaly. These reviews provide insight into an internist’s style and overall practice.