Whidbey Island Public Hospital District

Internal Medicine

Whidbey Island Public Hospital District is an Internal Medicine practice in Freeland, WA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Internists specialize in puzzling medical problems and in the ongoing care of chronic illnesses. Internists also specialize in preventing disease by promoting health, and are trained to manage multisystem disease conditions that single-organ-disease specialists may not be trained to address. Internal Medicine Doctors at Whidbey Island Public Hospital District perform assessment, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment therapies for diseases and disorders in adult patients. Internal Medicine is a medical specialty focused on study, prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of short and long term multi-organ conditions. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Internal Medicine practices include cold and flu, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and chronic lung disease. Internists generally act as personal physicians and often develop long-term relationships with their patients. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Internal Medicine practices include medical history reviews, physical exams, blood tests, scans, and other diagnostic tests, as well as specialist referrals. Internists may choose to practice only in the hospital, only in an outpatient clinic, or in both.

A physician who provides long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common and complex illness of adolescents, adults and the elderly. Internists are trained in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, infections and diseases affecting the heart, blood, kidneys, joints and digestive, respiratory and vascular systems. They are also trained in the essentials of primary care internal medicine, which incorporates an understanding of disease prevention, wellness, substance abuse, mental health and effective treatment of common problems of the eyes, ears, skin, nervous system and reproductive organs.

Psychiatry

Whidbey Island Public Hospital District is a Psychiatry practice in Freeland, WA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in diagnosing and treating people with mental illness. Psychiatrists at Whidbey Island Public Hospital District perform mental health assessment, helps patients manage long-term mental health conditions, offers medical treatment and therapy for a wide variety of psychological disorders, provides patient and parent education, and offers referrals to other medical specialists as needed. Psychiatry is a medical specialty centered on diagnosing and treating patients suffering from a wide variety of mental illnesses and cognitive disorders. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Psychiatry practices include anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), delusional thought processes, self-harm disorders, eating disorders, specific phobias, drug, alcohol, and gambling addiction, and mood disorders. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Psychiatry practices include mental health evaluation and diagnosis, psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), electroconvulsive therapy, medication prescription, exposure therapy, grief counseling, marriage counseling, and referral to other specialists as needed.

A Psychiatrist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders, emotional disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance-related disorders, sexual and gender identity disorders and adjustment disorders. Biologic, psychological, and social components of illnesses are explored and understood in treatment of the whole person. Tools used may include diagnostic laboratory tests, prescribed medications, evaluation and treatment of psychological and interpersonal problems with individuals and families, and intervention for coping with stress, crises, and other problems.

Physician Assisting

A physician assistant is a person who has successfully completed an accredited education program for physician assistant, is licensed by the state and is practicing within the scope of that license. Physician assistants are formally trained to perform many of the routine, time-consuming tasks a physician can do. In some states, they may prescribe medications. They take medical histories, perform physical exams, order lab tests and x-rays, and give inoculations. Most states require that they work under the supervision of a physician.

Family Medicine

Whidbey Island Public Hospital District is a Family Medicine practice in Freeland, WA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in family-centric healthcare. Family Medicine Doctors at Whidbey Island Public Hospital District perform medical history analysis, diagnostics, and treatments for a wide variety of dysfunctions, conditions, and injuries. Family Medicine is a medical specialty devoted to the medical care of the family unit. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Family Medicine practices include cold and flu, asthma and allergies, ear and eye infections, yeast infections, diabetes, high blood pressure, hormone imbalance, nutritional imbalance, stress and depression, muscle tears and sprains, and sexually transmitted diseases. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Family Medicine practices include annual exams, immunizations, medication refills, hormone level testing, cardiovascular testing, pap smears and genital exams, specialist referrals, and patient education.

Family Medicine is the medical specialty which is concerned with the total health care of the individual and the family. It is the specialty in breadth which integrates the biological, clinical, and behavioral sciences. The scope of family medicine is not limited by age, sex, organ system, or disease entity.