Internal Medicine Physician skills for your resume and career

Patients are individuals who receive medical care and attention from internal medicine physicians. Internal medicine physicians use patients throughout their job, from diagnosing and treating them to referring them to specialists or educating them on chronic disease management. They also record patients' medical histories, vital statistics, and test results. Dr. Janet Williams, Professor of Biology at the College of Our Lady of the Elms, emphasizes the importance of patients in the field, stating, "Students destined for healthcare must always understand that every patient that comes into the clinic that presents flu virus symptoms might have something far more dangerous, such as SARS-CoV-2 or Ebola. Students must learn to adapt quickly and be prepared and conscientious when working with patients and human body fluids."

Critical care is the treatment of critically ill patients who require close monitoring and life-sustaining interventions. Internal medicine physicians use critical care in different hospital settings, such as units and floors, and in clinics. They also participate in committees focused on critical care and achieve clinical excellence in this area.

EPIC is an electronic health record system. Internal medicine physicians use EPIC to improve patient outcomes by initiating recommendations for better work flow and creating electronic templates.

Family practice is a branch of medicine that focuses on providing comprehensive care to individuals of all ages, from newborns to older adults. Internal medicine physicians use family practice to provide medical services, supervise residents, and cover for other physicians. They practice all aspects of medicine in a family practice environment, including wellness care, phlebotomy, and IV therapy.

Internal medicine practice involves providing outpatient care to patients. Internal medicine physicians use this practice to establish and grow their patient base, managing a diverse range of patients. They also use it to successfully run their own private practices in different locations.

Diagnosis is the process of identifying a patient's disease or condition. Internal medicine physicians use diagnosis to determine the cause of a patient's symptoms and develop an effective treatment plan. This involves quickly assessing the patient's condition, often with limited information, and identifying possible illnesses that may be present together or are difficult to diagnose. They also use diagnosis to complete physical assessments and design integrated plans of care.

Acute care is a type of medical treatment that focuses on immediate needs, usually in a hospital setting. Internal medicine physicians use acute care to provide comprehensive medical care, including patient visits and addressing acute needs. They also use acute care during clinical rounds, particularly when emphasizing internal medicine and academia.

An outpatient clinic is a facility where patients receive non-emergency medical care without being admitted to a hospital. Internal medicine physicians use outpatient clinics to perform various tasks such as attending to patients, discussing cases with colleagues, and performing physicals. They may also work in a blended position, handling both outpatient clinic responsibilities and inpatient admitting and rounding responsibilities.

Home health is a type of care where medical professionals visit patients in their own homes to provide treatment and support. Internal medicine physicians use home health by serving as medical directors for these agencies, reviewing clinical staff documentation, and performing in-home health evaluations. They also coordinate outpatient needs for patients prior to discharge, which includes arranging home health services.

BLS, or Basic Life Support, is a type of medical training that teaches individuals how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use an automated external defibrillator (AED). Internal medicine physicians use BLS by maintaining their CPR certification and knowing how to use it in emergency situations. They also use BLS knowledge in their Epic/Keane system, which is a type of electronic health record system.

Private practice involves running a solo or partnered medical practice where doctors manage their own patient load and business operations. Internal medicine physicians use private practice to deliver general internal medicine, obesity medicine, and chronic disease prevention, among other services. They may also work closely with other private practices to maintain relationships and grow their referrals for various hospital services.

Outpatient care is the treatment and management of medical conditions outside of a hospital. Internal medicine physicians use outpatient care to provide routine check-ups, diagnose and manage chronic conditions, and perform minor procedures. They also use outpatient care to provide ongoing care for patients with various health issues, from pediatrics to geriatrics.

A nursing home is a residential facility where patients receive skilled medical care and daily living assistance. Internal medicine physicians use nursing homes to provide acute and chronic clinical care to residents. They often carry a patient caseload and provide palliative care in these settings. They also provide longitudinal ambulatory care and conduct onsite visits at the nursing home or hospital admissions.

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is a set of clinical interventions for cardiac arrest, stroke, and other life-threatening cardiovascular emergencies. Internal medicine physicians use ACLS in their daily duties, often as instructors or during emergency procedures like central line placement, lumbar puncture, and paracentesis. They also need to be certified in ACLS, along with other procedures like BCLS, PALS, and ATLS.