Medical Career Advising Resources Project - internal medicine
Professional Description
Internal medicine is an ever-changing and rapidly advancing discipline. Doctors of internal medicine are known as "internists" or "general internists," and should not be confused with "interns" who are doctors in their first year of training after medical school. Internists are not the same as "general practitioners" (GPs) or "family physicians" (FPs), whose practices may include surgery, obstetrics, and pediatrics and whose training is not solely concentrated on adults.
Because internal medicine is expansive, internists must continually update their knowledge in many areas including allergy, arthritis, blood diseases, cancer, diabetes, digestive diseases, illnesses in the elderly, diseases of the heart and blood vessels, hormonal disorders, infections, intensive care, kidney diseases, and respiratory disorders.
The practice of internal medicine also incorporates an understanding of wellness (disease prevention and health promotion), women's health, substance abuse, mental health, and medical ethics, as well as effective treatment of common problems of the eyes, ears, skin, nervous system, and reproductive organs.
Association Contact Information
- American College of Physicians
190 North Independence Mall West
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Website
Website for students
Source: American Medical Association. Graduate Medical Education Directory 2011-2012