Specialist Care: How Do I Find a Medical Specialist Near Me?
A specialist is a doctor who, as the name implies, specializes in a particular type of medicine, like Cardiovascular Medicine, Endocrinology, or Geriatrics. Knowing which medical specialist is right for which ailment often requires time, research, and expertise. Use this guide below to determine which type of specialist care you need.
Why Look for Internal Medicine?
Internal medicine is a branch devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of internal diseases and disorders in adults. Internists go through 1-3 years of additional schooling in order to be able to hold the title. You may find general internists who diagnose and treat any number of conditions as well as sub-specialists who focus on a specific area of the body. Internists sometimes provide general care, though they typically run specialty practices. Primary care physicians consult with them when they’ve got a particularly challenging case or they may refer their patients to an internist for a specific type of specialist care.
How Do I Find a Specialist Near Me?
Usually, your primary care physician is a good place to start. Because primary care physicians refer to them as needed, yours probably already knows a handful he trusts.
While you may be able to find a physician by searching for the type of medicine he or she specializes in, sometimes internists are only listed by their formal specialties or proper titles. You can use the chart below to determine which type of doctor you’re looking for.
| For Problems Related to Your… | Look for a(n)… |
| Immune System | Allergist or Immunologist |
| Heart or Cardiovascular System | Cardiologist |
| Metabolic System (like Diabetes) | Endocrinologist |
| Digestive System, Liver, and Gallbladder | Gastroenterologist |
| Liver | Hepatologist |
| Blood | Hematologist |
| Infection (general) | Infectologist |
| Kidneys | Nephrologist |
| Cancer (general) | Oncologist |
| Respiratory System | Pulmonologist |
| Musculoskeletal System/ Joints | Rheumatologist |
| Advanced Age | Geriatrician |
Join a Practice with Specialist Care
While some group practices have internists on staff, it is not always the case. However, at Dedication Health we do have internists on staff. We offer specialist care as well. As a result of having internists in a few key sub-specialties available for our patients, we feel we can meet the needs of our patients better and offer a higher standard of specialist care. Finding practices like this can be a challenge, but it’s well worth it if you want your care team to be on the same page, working together on your treatment. Generally speaking, you’ll need to find an alternate care model to get this level of assistance. Therefore, try looking for concierge medicine or boutique medicine. Direct care may also work, but this is traditionally geared toward cash-paying patients.
Become a Patient at Dedication Health
Specialist care is only one component of Dedication Health’s patient-focused care. We also have a myriad of on-site medical services and advanced diagnostic options. As well as concierge medicine perks, like longer physician visits, 24/7 access to your doctor, and more. Of course, we can only provide all this because we limit the number of patients we accept. Therefore, if Dedication Health sounds like a good fit to you, call us at 847-986-6770. If you would rather our team contact you, you can complete our online form. Our practice manager Christine would be happy to answer any questions you might have and reserve your space also.
For even more information on specialist care, check out the links listed below.
Internal Medicine: 6 Sub-Specialties Everyone Should Know