What Does An Internal Medicine Doctor Treat?

Internal medicine doctors, or internists as they are known, treat a wide variety of adult illness and conditions. They have a broad knowledge of the body systems and their interaction within the body. Internists commonly treat non-surgical problems and refer patients to specialists, when further complex treatment is needed.

Until the 18th century, internal medicine was simple labeled western medicine.  As medical knowledge increased, so did the need for specialists in each field. Therefore, those physicians who specialized in a broad field of medicine become known as Internists.

• Internal medicine physicians typically have more specialized training than family or general practitioners.  Because of this, they often serve as diagnosticians, consults and coordinators for treatment done by other doctors for their patients.

• Internal medicine doctors treat a lengthy list of acute and chronic illnesses, which effect the body's internal organ system. Typically, an internist will manage a patient's care through all of life's stages, from wellness checkups to nursing home care and all problems in between.

• In addition to general overall knowledge of the body, internists have the opportunity to specialize in their treatment. According to the American College of Physicians, internal medicine offers doctors the opportunity to practice in 13 sub-specialties in the United States. These include adolescent medicine, cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, geriatrics, hematology, immunology, infectious disease, nephrology, oncology, pulmonology, rheumatology and sports medicine.

• Internist physicians must obtain either a Doctor of Medicine or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree in order to practice in either a hospital, private office or clinic. Typically, training for an internist requires a four-year undergraduate degree as well as seven to 11 years of additional training in medicine.

• Internists must spend at least three years of their post-graduate education diagnosing and treating adult conditions. However, internists typically do not treat children, gynecological issues and pregnant women. They also do not handle trauma or orthopedic patients, unless the problem is related to other conditions of their patient.

• Internists are also known primary care physicians.