Asthma Treatment Can an Internist Care for My Asthma? By Pat Bass, MD Pat Bass, MD LinkedIn Twitter Dr. Bass is a board-certified internist, pediatrician, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Physicians. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 23, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Daniel More, MD Medically reviewed by Daniel More, MD Daniel More, MD, is a board-certified allergist and clinical immunologist with a background in internal medicine. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print If you need a primary care healthcare provider to help get control of your asthma symptoms, you may want to consider seeing an internist. Universal Images Group / Getty Images What Is an Internist? Internists are known as “healthcare providers for adults.” An internist can provide any adult the majority of their care in either a hospital or the outpatient clinic. In addition to caring for asthma and other respiratory diseases like COPD, internists provide comprehensive care across all spectrums of disease including women’s health, mental health, and prevention. An internist may perform a preoperative evaluation for a surgical colleague if an asthmatic needs surgery. After medical school, internal medicine healthcare providers complete a general residency in internal medicine and must pass an exam sponsored by the American Board of Internal Medicine to become board certified. In order to become a pulmonologist or respiratory care specialist, a healthcare provider must first complete an internal medicine residency and then complete additional training. What Does an Internist Treat? An internist treats many many different conditions and problems. In addition to asthma, your internist probably treats many of the following diseases: Allergic rhinitis Anxiety Arthritis Atopic dermatitis or eczema Constipation Depression Diabetes High blood pressure Hyperlipidemia Pneumonia Rashes What Are the Advantages of Being Treated by an Internist? Hopefully, your internist will assist you in obtaining better asthma control. There are a number of advantages you may want to consider including: One healthcare provider who can treat or lead the treatment of all of your medical problems. Consulting a specialist when needed. Making referrals based on who you are likely to interact with best. Helping you to sort through different recommendations from a specialist. Helping you understand and implement specialty recommendations. Provide screening and treatment for other medical conditions. When Do I Need a Specialist? An internist should be able to treat your asthma up to a point. You may want to consider seeing an asthma specialist like an allergist or pulmonologist in any of the following scenarios: You had a life-threatening asthma attack or were admitted to an intensive care unit.One or more hospitalizations for asthma that you or your healthcare provider cannot identify what the trigger was.Poorly controlled asthma that does not respond to treatment over 3–6 months.You want an evaluation for allergy shots.You need oral steroids more than once per year.You have moderate persistent or severe persistent asthma.You need more education than your internist can provide. Patients may not always be referred appropriately. Sometimes your healthcare provider may just need to be nudged. If you think you might benefit from subspecialty care do not be afraid to ask. Some healthcare providers may not be up to date with the latest recommendations for when a referral is appropriate. Do Specialist Provide Better Care Than Internists? The answer will probably depend on who you ask. Some research evidence demonstrates that there are small but measurable differences. If you fall into any of the previously mentioned scenarios or just want a specialist’s opinion, you should discuss a referral with your internist. Can an Internist Treat My Child? Pediatrics is not a large part of internists' training. While most internists will probably be comfortable treating kids age 16 and older, this is not universal. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 0 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Alford G. When Do You Need an Asthma Specialist? Asthma Magazine. Volume 8. July-August 2003. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Expert Panel Report 3 (EPR3): Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma