St. Francis Columbus Specialty Clinic

Internal Medicine

St. Francis Columbus Specialty Clinic is an Internal Medicine practice in Columbus, GA 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 St. Francis Columbus Specialty Clinic 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.

Podiatry

St. Francis Columbus Specialty Clinic is a Podiatry practice in Columbus, GA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in treating disorders and injuries of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. Podiatrists at St. Francis Columbus Specialty Clinic perform diagnostic imaging of the foot, pain and mobility assessment, and treatment of acute foot injuries and disorders. Podiatry is a medical specialty that deals with disorders and dysfunction of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Podiatry practices include sprains, broken bones, complications arising from diabetes and poor circulation, abnormal growth, nerve pain, hammertoe, arthritis, tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, neuroma, athlete's foot, skin disorders, athletic injuries, congenital birth defects, and infection. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Podiatry practices include x-ray, MRI, and CT diagnostic imaging, foot and ankle surgery, pain and mobility assessment, patient education, in-office pain relief of minor foot and ankle disorders, and referrals to physical therapists or other specialists as needed.

A podiatrist is a person qualified by a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.) degree, licensed by the state, and practicing within the scope of that license. Podiatrists diagnose and treat foot diseases and deformities. They perform medical, surgical and other operative procedures, prescribe corrective devices and prescribe and administer drugs and physical therapy.

Dermatology

St. Francis Columbus Specialty Clinic is a Dermatology practice in Columbus, GA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in diagnosing and treating children and adults with benign and malignant skin, hair, nail diseases. Dermatologists at St. Francis Columbus Specialty Clinic perform medical diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers, management of inflammatory skin disorders, and diagnosis of skin manifestations of systemic and infectious diseases. Dermatology is a branch of medicine dedicated to diagnosing and treating dermal infections, diseases, and cosmetic disorders. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Dermatology practices include acne, wrinkles, hair loss, moles, warts, canker sores, varicose veins, dermatitis, and skin cancers like melanoma. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Dermatology practices include skin biopsies, chemical peels, cosmetic injections, hair removal, dermabrasion, skin grafts, and laser surgery.

A dermatologist is trained to diagnose and treat pediatric and adult patients with benign and malignant disorders of the skin, mouth, external genitalia, hair and nails, as well as a number of sexually transmitted diseases. The dermatologist has had additional training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers, melanomas, moles and other tumors of the skin, the management of contact dermatitis and other allergic and nonallergic skin disorders, and in the recognition of the skin manifestations of systemic (including internal malignancy) and infectious diseases. Dermatologists have special training in dermatopathology and in the surgical techniques used in dermatology. They also have expertise in the management of cosmetic disorders of the skin such as hair loss and scars and the skin changes associated with aging.

Neurology

St. Francis Columbus Specialty Clinic is a Neurology practice in Columbus, GA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in studying, diagnosing, and treating disorders of the nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). Neurologists at St. Francis Columbus Specialty Clinic perform diagnostic tests and a wide variety of neurological and cognitive treatments for a range of neurological disorders. Neurology is the branch of biology that studies, assesses, and treats the anatomy, functions, and organic disorders of the nervous system. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Neurology practices include coordination problems, muscle weakness, sensation changes, confusion, dizziness, cluster headaches, migraines, seizure disorders like epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular disorders, encephalitis, meningitis, brain abscesses, neurodegenerative disorders like Lou Gehrig's disease and Alzheimer's, as well as spinal cord inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Neurology practices include lumbar puncture, tensilon test, EEG, CT scan, MRI scan, PET scan, angiography, and sleep studies for diagnosis, then the presciption of physiotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, pain management, medication and/or lifestyle changes.

A Neurologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases or impaired function of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, muscles, autonomic nervous system, and blood vessels that relate to these structures.

Family Nurse Practitioner

St. Francis Columbus Specialty Clinic is a Family Nurse Practitioner practice in Columbus, GA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in family-centric general health care. Family Nurse Practitioners at St. Francis Columbus Specialty Clinic perform preventative, diagnostic and treatment procedures for a variety of acute and chronic diseases, conditions, and injuries. Family Nurse Practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse who works autonomously or in collaboration with other healthcare professionals to deliver family-oriented care. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Family Nurse Practitioner practices include cold and flu, infections, high blood pressure, hormone imbalance, hepatitis, diabetes, lacerations or minor trauma, and sexually transmitted diseases. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Family Nurse Practitioner practices include medical history analysis, physical exams, diagnostic testing, nutrition and treatment plan development, hormone balancing, immunization delivery, wound suturing and removal, and patient education.

Nurse Practitioner

A registered nurse provider with a graduate degree in nursing prepared for advanced practice involving independent and interdependent decision making and direct accountability for clinical judgment across the health care continuum or in a certified specialty. (2) A registered nurse who has completed additional training beyond basic nursing education and who provides primary health care services in accordance with state nurse practice laws or statutes. Tasks performed by nurse practitioners vary with practice requirements mandated by geographic, political, economic, and social factors. Nurse practitioner specialists include, but are not limited to, family nurse practitioners, gerontological nurse practitioners, pediatric nurse practitioners, obstetric-gynecologic nurse practitioners, and school nurse practitioners.