frequently asked questions

Doctors of internal medicine focus on adult medicine and have had special study and training focusing on the prevention and treatment of adult diseases. At least three of their seven or more years of medical school and postgraduate training are dedicated to learning how to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases that affect adults. Internists are sometimes referred to as the “doctor’s doctor,” because they are often called upon to act as consultants to other physicians to help solve puzzling diagnostic problems.

Simply put, internists are Doctors of Internal Medicine. They are Doctors for adults. You may see them referred to by several terms, including “internists,” “general internists” and “doctors of internal medicine.” But don’t mistake them with “interns,” who are doctors in their first year of residency training. Although internists may act as primary care physicians, they are not “family physicians,” “family practitioners,” or “general practitioners,” whose training is not solely concentrated on adults and may include surgery, obstetrics and pediatrics.

It includes a comprehensive physical exam, blood work, stress test, and lung functioning tests. This is tailored to the individual based on age, symptoms and family history. The blood work screens for established and emerging markers for increased cardiovascular risk and includes: glucose, electrolytes kidney function, liver function, calcium, lipids, highly sensitive C-reactive protein, Lp(a), homocycteine, thyroid function, complete blood count, uric acid and PSA (for males.)

Yes. We accept all forms of Insurance except certain HMO’s. Sick visits or follow-up visits will be billed to insurance by our office.

Yes, a discount is offered for spouses and children ages 15-25.

Dr. Thornton can be accessed by his cell phone after hours but in the event of a life threatening emergency dial 911.

Dr. Thornton will assist you with personalized disease management. He has extensive contacts with specialists both in San Antonio and worldwide. He will coordinate your physicians in the development of an integrated treatment plan to manage your recurring or chronic conditions.

We have invested in a state-of-the-art Electronic Medical Records System (EMR). Our EMR system is secure, HIPPA compliant, and will ensure that your records are accessible to any specialists, pharmacies etc at a moment’s notice.

In designing the practice, I tried to take everything that everyone hates about going to the doctor and get rid of it. The focus of this practice is to make medical care “user friendly” and focus on disease prevention. I’ve tried to mix the best of the old with the best of the new and I’m pleased to say that it’s been well received.

Restricting the size of the practice enabled us to provide same day or next day appointments for urgent problems. It also allowed time for enhanced communication with the physician in the office, by phone, e-mail and fax.

We are located at 7720 Jones Maltsberger, Suite 110 next to Ruth’s Chris restaurant in the Concord Athletic Club complex.

Patients have loved the ability to talk to me when they want to and see me when they need to without the hassles that are part of most medical practices. They have liked office visits that are not rushed, where they have had in-depth answers to their questions.

The principal hosptials that I use are Metropolitan Methodist and Southwest Texas Methodist. However, if a patient is admitted to another hosptial I will coordinate their care.

When I am on vacation, a Board Certified Internist will cover for me. Eventually, I will have another internist in the practice.