Regardless of your age, it’s important for your health that you develop a relationship with a physician.

Internal medicine physicians — or internists — are specially trained doctors who diagnose and treat a variety of illnesses and diseases in adults. At the University of Missouri Health Care, our physicians have a strong commitment to the longstanding traditions of medicine, specifically the patient-doctor relationship, which is crucial to ensuring good health outcomes.

When you visit one of our clinics, you can trust that our doctors will provide you with complete, expert care. Medicine physicians often serve as primary care physicians and not only treat a variety of acute care conditions but work with patients to manage chronic conditions. General internists also work with patients to help them to live healthy lifestyles.

Many of our internal medicine physicians have subspecialty interests in diseases affecting particular organs or organ systems. These interest areas include:

The benefits of medicine

This medical specialty is incredibly varied because it focuses on the whole body of the patient. Although the name “internists” suggests internal organs, these physicians also treat external conditions. Internists often solve medical puzzles since they are familiar with a wide range of medical conditions and their causes.

Internists use a wide assortment of diagnostic techniques to learn more about a patient’s condition. Most internists also promote prevention of common, and sometimes preventable, conditions, such as:

  • Arthritis
  • Asthma
  • Diabetes
  • High cholesterol
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Mental health disorders
  • Migraines
  • Osteoporosis
  • Substance abuse disorders
  • Thyroid disorders
  • Women’s health