Appointments: What to Expect

To make an appointment with an internist, you can simply call the clinic you wish to visit.

Visiting Your Duke Internist

Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time. 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.

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.

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.

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 triage nurse. He or she will determine whether you should come to the clinic to be seen by your internist.

Peak triage 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.

Your internist can also discuss with you your personal risk factors -- and any recommended screenings -- for inherited illnesses, cancers, heart disease, or type 2 diabetes.