What is Internal Medicine

Internal medicine is a medical specialty which focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of nonsurgical conditions in adults. This specialty has a number of sub-specialties ranging from nephrology, to the study of the kidneys, to immunology, and to the study of allergies and immune system disorders. A doctor who is certified in this specialty is known as an internist; many adults around the world use internists as their primary care physicians. Internists should not be confused with interns, medical students who are undergoing training to become doctors.

This medical specialty is incredibly varied because it focuses on the whole body of the patient. Although the name suggests internal organs, internists also treat external conditions. Internists are often used to solve medical puzzles since they are familiar with a wide range of medical conditions and their causes. Specialists in internal medicine treat people with all sorts of conditions, from hepatitis to cancer. Specialists in internal medicine treat people with all sorts of conditions, from hepatitis to cancer. Careers in internal medicine are incredibly varied. Many hospitals keep a staff of internal medicine specialists to care for their patients, and internists also work out of their own clinics and offices.

Internists can use an assortment of diagnostic techniques including fluid analysis and diagnostic imaging to get information about their patients. Diagnosis and treatment of conditions are important roles in an internist’s job. Internists can use an assortment of diagnostic techniques including fluid analysis and diagnostic imaging to get information about their patients. They also interview and examine their patients to learn more about the patient’s condition. Many internists also promote the prevention of common and avoidable conditions.

Some well-known subspecialties in internal medicine include cardiology, endocrinology, rheumatology, infectious disease, hematology, gastroenterology, oncology, and pulmonology. In plain English, these specialists deal with hearts, the endocrine system, immune disorders, infectious biological diseases like viruses, blood in the digestive tract, cancer, and the lungs. A general internist may refer a patient to a specialist if he or she feels that a treatment requires special care.

In order to become an internist, someone must complete medical school and a residency. Residency periods vary, depending on the nation, with additional residencies required for sub-specialties. Once qualified, an internist can pursue board certification with an organization like the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Andy Fine is a board-certified doctor of internal medicine and primary care physician licensed to practice in Colorado. Dr. Fine centers his treatment philosophy around establishing long-term relationships with his patients.