Subspecialty Careers: General Internal Medicine
What is an Internist?
Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness.
The General Internist
General internists handle the broad and comprehensive spectrum of illnesses that affect adults, and are recognized as experts in diagnosis, in treatment of chronic illness, and in health promotion and disease prevention—they are not limited to one type of medical problem or organ system. General internists often care for patients over the duration of their adult lives, providing the physician an opportunity to establish long and rewarding personal relationships with their patients.
Most general internists provide care for their patients in an ambulatory (office or outpatient) setting, and in an inpatient setting when their patients become hospitalized. Still other general internists choose to care for patients either exclusively in the inpatient setting (often called hospitalists) or exclusively in an outpatient setting.
What Internal Medicine Means to Me Video
Meet some internists and hear about what internal medicine means to them.
Understanding Internal Medicine: A Guide for Medical Students
Understand the definition, explore the history, learn about the structure, and review frequently asked questions about internal medicine.