What is a Doctor of Internal Medicine?

Clearing Up Some Confusion

We go by several names: “Doctor of Internal Medicine,” “Internist,” “General Internist.”

We are not “Interns.” These are doctors who are trainees just out of medical school.

We are not “Family Physicians.” These doctors do not focus on adults. They also deliver babies and treat children.

We are not “GPs.” They also deliver babies and treat children.

We are “Doctors of Internal Medicine.” Or “Internists.” We are different from other doctors because we specialize in adult health care.

We do not deliver babies. We do not treat children. We do not do operations.

We spend at least three years of our medical schooling learning about adults.

We learn how to prevent, find and treat illness in adults.

We are ready to care for any adult medical condition. No matter how common or strange it is. Or how easy or hard it is.

We are always learning more about:

We take care of people from their teen years through old age.

We care for our patients for life.

Usually we see them in our offices or clinics. Sometimes in hospitals. Sometimes in nursing homes.

We manage their care even when other doctors are involved.

Often other doctors ask us for help with their own patients. That gives us the nickname, “The Doctor’s Doctor.”

Content from American College of Physicians – www.doctorsforadults.com