207RC0200X Critical Care Medicine (Internal Medicine) Physician

Definition: An internist who diagnoses, treats and supports patients with multiple organ dysfunction. This specialist may have administrative responsibilities for intensive care units and may also facilitate and coordinate patient care among the primary physician, the critical care staff and other specialists.
Grouping: Allopathic & Osteopathic Physicians
Classification: Internal Medicine
Specialization: Critical Care Medicine
Section: Individual
Notes: Source: American Board of Medical Specialties, 2007. www.abms.org [7/1/2007: added definition, added source; 7/1/2011: modified source]<br/>Additional Resources: American Board of Internal Medicine, 2007. http://www.abim.org/. American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine, 2007. http://www.osteopathic.org/certification<br/>Board certification for Medical Doctors (MDs) is provided by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Board certification for Doctors of Osteopathy (DOs) is provided by the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine.

Related Taxonomies

Parent Classification

Internal Medicine Physician

A healthcare provider who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and managing a wide range of illnesses and chronic conditions in adults. Internal medicine physicians provide routine check-ups, preventive care, and treatment for conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, infections, heart disease, and respiratory issues. Patients can expect thorough evaluations, management of ongoing health problems, and coordination of care for complex medical needs.

Other Specializations

Addiction Medicine

A healthcare provider who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and supporting patients with substance use disorders, such as alcohol, prescription drug, and illicit drug addictions. This physician helps patients manage withdrawal, prevent relapse, and develop recovery plans. They also address related health issues, offer counseling, coordinate care, and provide ongoing support for individuals and families affected by addiction.

Adolescent Medicine

A healthcare provider who specializes in caring for teenagers and young adults, focusing on their physical, emotional, and social health. They help manage common adolescent concerns such as puberty, menstrual issues, acne, eating disorders, mental health, sports injuries, and substance use. Patients can expect support with preventive care, health education, and guidance through the unique challenges of adolescence.

Adult Congenital Heart Disease

A healthcare provider who cares for adults born with heart defects, offering ongoing check-ups, treatment, and management of heart-related issues. They help patients with conditions such as repaired or unrepaired congenital heart defects, irregular heartbeats, heart failure, and high blood pressure in the lungs. Patients can expect specialized care tailored to their unique heart anatomy, guidance on daily living, and coordination with other specialists as needed.

Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology

A healthcare provider who specializes in caring for people with advanced heart failure and those who may need or have had a heart transplant. They manage complex heart conditions, help patients who need heart pumps or other heart support devices, and provide care before and after heart surgery or transplant. Patients can expect guidance on treatment options, ongoing support, and help managing symptoms to improve quality of life.

Allergy & Immunology

A healthcare provider who specializes in diagnosing and treating allergies, asthma, immune system problems, and related conditions. Patients can expect help with issues like hay fever, food allergies, eczema, hives, and frequent infections. This provider offers allergy testing, treatment plans, and advice on managing symptoms to improve quality of life.

Cardiovascular Disease

A healthcare provider who specializes in caring for the heart and blood vessels, diagnosing and treating conditions such as heart attacks, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure, and heart failure. Patients can expect this provider to perform heart tests, manage heart disease, offer treatment plans, and help prevent future heart problems through lifestyle advice and medications.

Clinical & Laboratory Immunology

A healthcare provider who specializes in diagnosing and treating immune system disorders, such as allergies, autoimmune diseases, and frequent infections. They use laboratory tests to help understand immune problems and create treatment plans to help manage symptoms and improve immune function. Patients can expect thorough evaluations, allergy testing, and ongoing care for conditions like lupus, immunodeficiency, and other immune-related illnesses.

Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology

A healthcare provider who specializes in diagnosing and treating heart rhythm problems, such as irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), fainting spells, and rapid or slow heart rates. They use tests to find the cause of abnormal rhythms and may perform procedures like implanting pacemakers or defibrillators. Patients can expect thorough evaluation of symptoms like palpitations or dizziness and guidance on the best treatment options to help manage and prevent heart rhythm issues.

Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism

A healthcare provider who diagnoses and treats problems with hormones and metabolism, such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, obesity, and issues with growth or sexual development. They help patients manage conditions related to glands like the thyroid, adrenal, and pituitary, and provide guidance on nutrition and long-term health. Patients can expect care for hormonal imbalances, support for managing diabetes, and treatment for metabolic and nutritional disorders.

Gastroenterology

A healthcare provider who specializes in diagnosing and treating problems of the digestive system, including the stomach, intestines, liver, and gallbladder. Patients may see this provider for issues like stomach pain, heartburn, ulcers, diarrhea, constipation, liver disease, or unexplained weight loss. They perform tests such as endoscopy or colonoscopy to find the cause of symptoms and offer treatments to manage or cure digestive conditions.

Geriatric Medicine

A healthcare provider who specializes in caring for older adults, focusing on the unique health needs that come with aging. They help manage conditions such as memory loss, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and mobility issues. Patients can expect comprehensive care, medication management, preventive screenings, and support for maintaining independence at home, in the office, nursing homes, or hospitals.

A healthcare provider who specializes in diagnosing and treating problems related to the blood, such as anemia, bleeding or clotting issues, sickle cell disease, and blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. Patients can expect this provider to perform blood tests, manage ongoing blood conditions, and create treatment plans to improve blood health and overall well-being.

Hematology & Oncology

A healthcare provider who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the blood, such as anemia and clotting disorders, as well as cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumors. This provider offers care that includes evaluating symptoms, ordering and interpreting tests, creating treatment plans, administering chemotherapy, and coordinating ongoing support for patients with blood disorders and cancer. Patients can expect comprehensive care, education about their condition, and guidance through complex treatment options.

A healthcare provider who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and managing conditions affecting the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts. Patients can expect care for problems such as hepatitis, fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, liver tumors, and complications from alcohol use. This provider offers evaluations, ongoing management, and advice on ways to protect liver health, as well as coordination of care for advanced liver disease.

Hospice and Palliative Medicine

A doctor who specializes in caring for adults with serious or life-limiting illnesses, focusing on comfort and quality of life. This physician helps manage pain and other symptoms, supports emotional and spiritual needs, and coordinates care with other team members. They guide patients and families through difficult decisions and provide support at the end of life, including hospice care and help with advance care planning.

Hypertension Specialist

A healthcare provider who specializes in diagnosing and managing high blood pressure (hypertension) and related conditions. This physician helps patients understand the causes of high blood pressure, develops individualized treatment plans, and monitors progress to prevent complications such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems. Patients can expect thorough evaluations, medication management, lifestyle guidance, and ongoing support to control their blood pressure and improve overall health.

Infectious Disease

A healthcare provider who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. They care for patients with complex or unusual infections, unexplained fevers, and conditions like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, or Lyme disease. Patients can expect expert advice on antibiotic use, management of chronic or severe infections, and guidance for travel-related health concerns.

Interventional Cardiology

A healthcare provider who specializes in treating heart and blood vessel problems using minimally invasive procedures, such as opening blocked arteries or placing stents. They help patients with conditions like heart attacks, chest pain, narrowed blood vessels, and other heart-related issues. Patients can expect diagnosis, treatment, and management of heart problems using advanced techniques without the need for open-heart surgery.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A healthcare provider who specializes in using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose and manage diseases affecting adults. They interpret MRI scans to help identify conditions such as heart disease, liver disorders, neurological problems, and other internal organ issues. Patients can expect thorough evaluations, accurate imaging reports, and collaboration with other doctors to guide treatment plans based on MRI findings.

Medical Oncology

A healthcare provider who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer using medicines such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. They care for patients with cancers like breast, lung, colon, prostate, and blood cancers, as well as some non-cancerous tumors. Patients can expect this provider to manage their cancer treatment plans, monitor side effects, coordinate with other specialists, and provide ongoing support throughout treatment.

A healthcare provider who specializes in diagnosing and treating kidney problems, high blood pressure, and issues with fluid or mineral balance. They help manage chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, and provide care for patients who need dialysis. They also work with patients before and after kidney transplants and offer guidance on preventing further kidney damage. Patients can expect ongoing care, medication management, and support for making lifestyle changes to protect their kidney health.

Obesity Medicine

A healthcare provider who specializes in helping patients manage and treat obesity through personalized plans that may include diet changes, exercise, behavior support, and medication. They work with patients to address the causes of weight gain and related health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. They also provide care before and after weight loss surgery and connect patients with other specialists as needed.

Physician Nutrition Specialist

A healthcare provider who specializes in diagnosing and treating nutrition-related health problems, such as undernutrition, obesity, diabetes, and metabolic disorders. They help patients manage their diets, prevent nutrition-related diseases, and provide support for conditions like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and malnutrition during hospital stays or surgery. Patients can expect personalized nutrition plans, guidance on healthy eating, and ongoing support to improve overall health and manage chronic conditions.

Pulmonary Disease

A healthcare provider who specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the lungs and breathing. They help patients with problems such as asthma, pneumonia, chronic cough, bronchitis, emphysema, lung infections, and sleep-related breathing issues. Patients can expect this provider to perform tests, recommend treatments, and manage ongoing lung diseases to improve breathing and overall lung health.

A healthcare provider who specializes in diagnosing and treating problems with joints, muscles, bones, and tendons. Patients can see this provider for conditions like arthritis, back pain, muscle aches, tendon injuries, and autoimmune diseases that affect the joints. They help manage pain, reduce swelling, improve movement, and create treatment plans to help patients stay active and comfortable.

A healthcare provider who specializes in diagnosing and treating sleep problems, such as sleep apnea, insomnia, restless legs, and issues with staying awake or falling asleep. They help patients improve their sleep quality and overall health by offering evaluations, sleep studies, and personalized treatment plans for people of all ages with sleep or circadian rhythm disorders.

Sports Medicine

A medical professional who specializes in caring for active individuals and athletes, focusing on preventing, diagnosing, and treating injuries related to physical activity. They help with problems like sprains, strains, joint pain, and overuse injuries, and also guide patients on safe exercise, proper nutrition, and fitness. Patients can expect care for both acute and chronic injuries, advice on injury prevention, and support in maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle.

Transplant Hepatology

A medical professional who specializes in caring for patients before and after liver transplant surgery. They help manage liver diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, and liver failure, and guide patients through the transplant process. Patients can expect this provider to coordinate their care, monitor their liver health, manage medications, and provide ongoing support after transplantation.

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