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An internal medicine doctor specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of adult illnesses, often dealing with complex health situations. They are not to be confused with family physicians or general practitioners. The field emerged in late 19th century Germany, and today, internal medicine physicians act as primary care physicians and specialists, treating adult patients with an emphasis on whole-patient care. They may also subspecialize in areas such as nephrology, cardiology, and pulmonology.
Also known as an internist, a doctor of internal medicine is a medical specialist trained in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of adult illnesses. Internists often specialize in highly complex health situations and may be consulted by other physicians when presented with particularly challenging or intriguing cases. Although internists often practice as primary care physicians, they should not be confused with family physicians or general practitioners, whose training and scope of practice are distinctly different.
The doctor of internal medicine emerged as a specialty in late 19th century Germany. A literal translation of the German innere medizin, the term originally described the internal medicine physician’s unique qualification to combine the scientific principles of the laboratory with the day-to-day issues of clinical medicine. Internists were able to access medical and scientific techniques not available to general practitioners and were asked to consult when a patient required specialist treatment. The development of this new field of specialization responded to the needs of physicians, who aspired to a higher degree of authority than the general practitioner, but wished to avoid limiting their scope of practice to a single organ or system.
Today, the internal medicine physician treats adult patients almost exclusively, with an emphasis on the whole patient and the whole life. An internist will act as a primary care physician but, unlike a general practitioner, will continue to be involved in patient care even if the patient is transferred to a hospital, intensive care unit or nursing home. In a clinical setting, internists perform physical examinations, manage illness through diet and medication, and monitor patient health. In addition to diagnosing and treating illnesses, internists tend to focus on general wellness issues such as mental health and substance abuse.
When not working in a primary care capacity, an internal medicine physician may make rounds in a hospital or act as a specialist consultant. The internist is essentially an elite generalist, uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat complex patient problems that may be beyond the scope of a general practitioner or family physician. Chronic illnesses or multiple disorders presented in unison can pose a number of challenging issues that an internal medicine practitioner may be called upon to address.
Additionally, many internists choose to undertake fellowships to subspecialize in a specific field. There are 13 subspecialty areas within the field of internal medicine, such as nephrology, cardiology, and pulmonology. Although internists typically do not perform surgery, they are often intimately involved in the diagnosis, treatment, and aftercare of patients with conditions that may require surgical intervention. Often referred to as a ‘doctor’, the internal medicine physician is a highly trained professional who is concerned with all aspects of a patient’s health.
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