Appointments: What to Expect

To make an appointment with an internist, you can simply call the clinic you wish to visit, or you can schedule an appointment online using HealthView.

Visiting Your Duke Internist

Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

When you arrive at the clinic, you will be required to check in. You will be asked to verify your address, contact phone numbers, and insurance status. Providing an e-mail address is optional but is strongly encouraged as it will allow your internal medicine provider to quickly communicate with you the results of any laboratory or x-ray reports that have been completed.

You may also be asked to fill out forms for billing purposes. For patients with Medicare, additional forms will need to be completed online by the receptionist, so you will need to be prepared and have time to answer additional questions.

You will also be asked to provide your co-payment and any required deductible as well as paying any previous balance on your account prior to your visit. Duke clinics accept cash, check, or debit/credit cards for payment.

Bring your prescription and non-prescription medications with you to your office visit, so that your health care team can accurately record the medications that you are taking and review your medications with you.

Your medication information will be entered into an electronic prescription system that allows your health care team to make sure you are taking appropriate medications, that your medications do now interact adversely, and that your medication list in the electronic system is accurate. 

A member of the health care team at your Duke Primary Care Internal Medicine practice may also review some wellness concerns with you and enter these into the electronic medical records. He or she may ask you questions about smoking, alcohol consumption, pain and falling history, or other specific questions based on your age, sex, or personal medical history.

Your Annual Physical or “Well Visit”

This regular check-up allows your doctor to update your medical history and conduct routine physical exams and screenings to assess your health status and identify any health problems as early as possible.

When You Are Sick

If you are sick, you can call your doctor’s clinic and speak to a nurse. He or she will determine whether you should come to the clinic to be seen by your internist.

Peak nursing call volume is from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Please avoid calling during these times for non-urgent requests.

If You Are Worried

If you are concerned about a possible health problem, or if you have noticed a change in your usual health status, you can make an appointment to discuss your concerns with your internist. This can be done by calling the clinic phone number, or by visiting HealthView to schedule an appointment online.

Your internist can also discuss with you your personal risk factors -- and any recommended screenings, including genetic testing -- for inherited illnesses, such as heart disease, breast, prostate and colon cancer, diabetes, and blood clotting disorders.