Visit with the internal medicine doctor

When a consultation is useful

Prolonged fatigue, a change in weight, unexplained fever, digestive complaints or several complaints at once may call for a general assessment. The same symptoms may have different causes, and it is not always useful to begin with many examinations without clinical orientation.

In a patient with several chronic diseases, the internist considers how they affect one another. For example, a medicine that helps one problem may call for caution because of kidney function or another disease. Coordination with specialists helps build a workable plan.

What the history includes

The doctor asks about the onset and course of the complaints, and about sleep, diet, activity, smoking and alcohol. They review illnesses, operations, allergies and family history. How the symptoms affect work and self-care is part of the assessment.

List the problems that trouble you and say which matters most to you. If there are several complaints, they may need prioritizing and more than one visit. A plan in stages should explain what is assessed now and what is followed afterwards.

Examination and choice of tests

The examination may include blood pressure, pulse, weight and assessment of the heart, lungs, abdomen or other systems according to the complaints. The findings help in choosing blood and urine tests, an ECG or imaging.

There is no package that excludes every disease in every adult. A test must have a purpose: to investigate a symptom, to assess risk, to confirm a suspicion or to monitor treatment. Repeating recent examinations may be unnecessary if they answer the current question.

What has a place in prevention

A preventive check may identify arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia or risk of diabetes before complications appear. The assessment also includes counseling on smoking, activity, diet and weight. The benefit comes from the steps taken after the risk has been identified.

Cancer screening examinations and other preventive measures are adapted to age, sex, family history and exposures. A normal ultrasound or normal general tests do not replace appropriate screening programs. The doctor should clarify which apply in your case and where they are performed.

Medication review

Bring the names and the way of taking all your medicines, including those without a prescription and supplements. Say if you have missed doses, had side effects or changed the regimen. This helps to understand whether a symptom could be related to treatment.

The review aims at benefit, safety and feasibility. It does not mean automatic removal of medicines and must not be done by the patient without guidance. When several doctors follow the same person, an updated list reduces uncertainty about the regimen actually being taken.

How results are interpreted and follow-up organized

A value outside the reference interval may need confirmation, investigation or simply follow-up depending on its degree and the context. A normal result does not close the assessment when symptoms persist. The doctor decides whether the change over time or the pattern of several results matters.

At the end you should know what has been clarified, which results are awaited and when the next check is. Goals may be concrete, such as improving physical capacity, controlling a risk factor or reducing side effects. Checks are planned as needed, not at the same interval for everyone.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I have a general check-up? There is no single interval for everyone. In a healthy adult the preventive check is done according to age and risk factors; in a patient with chronic disease follow-up is more frequent. In general the check is followed every 6 months to one year, and sooner when the doctor considers it reasonable.

What should I bring to the visit with the internal medicine doctor? The complete list of medicines and supplements, previous tests and reports, hospital discharge summaries and a list of the problems that trouble you, in order of importance. Also bring blood pressure or sugar readings if you take them at home.

Are tests always done at a general visit? No. Tests are chosen according to symptoms, age, diseases and risk factors. An identical package for everyone has no proven value and may bring results of no importance that lead to unnecessary investigations. If you have had tests recently, bring them; they may not need repeating.

Can I discuss several problems in one visit? Yes, but it is useful to set priorities. When there are many complaints, the doctor may propose a plan in stages: what is assessed now and what at the next check. This avoids a crowded visit in which the main problem is left unclarified.

Can I change or stop medicines myself if I think they are not needed? No. Some medicines have effects that are not felt, such as those for blood pressure, lipids or diabetes, and sudden withdrawal may be harmful. If you have side effects or difficulties, say so at the visit; the doctor reviews the regimen with you.

When should I go to a specialist rather than the internal medicine doctor? The internist is the first point for general problems and for coordination. When a complaint clearly relates to one organ or needs a special examination, such as the heart, lungs or digestion, they direct you to the relevant specialist within the clinic.

When a routine check is not enough

Care at Tirana Polyclinic: We offer a consultation with the internal medicine doctor, laboratory tests and coordination with the clinic’s specialties. Additional examinations are selected according to the assessment and the results are linked in a follow-up plan.