What Is an Internist and What Do They Do?

Internists can be primary care providers or physicians who work in a hospital setting to prevent, diagnose and treat issues within a person’s body. Internal medicine doctors may work as general internists or specialize in many fields, such as cardiology, gastroenterology, oncology or pulmonology.?

For many Americans, choosing a primary care physician can feel overwhelming. Primary care providers are the doctors we see for annual physicals or when we have health concerns that might be a little more concerning than a mild cough or nasty head cold. In some cases, they may be doctors who can treat all family members. Other people may choose a doctor who exclusively sees adult patients.

Finding a primary care physician specializing in internal medicine — an internist — is an attractive option for the latter group. These physicians have the training and experience to diagnose and treat many diseases that impact our bodies’ internal systems and organs.?

Internal Medicine Doctor Job Description

An internist provides nonsurgical treatment options for various problems that impact a patient’s internal organs and systems. Internists typically see adult patients. Internists can be primary care providers or specialists that dedicate their time and expertise to a single specialty.

Internist Responsibilities

An internist’s daily responsibilities can vary depending on whether they work in a hospital or clinic setting, but most of the time, they involve the following tasks :

• Performing physical exams
• Documenting patient charts with findings and treatment plans
• Ordering tests or consultations with other physicians or staff
• Reviewing test results
• Recommending and implementing a treatment plan
• Addressing concerns or questions from patients
• Helping patients take control of their health with advice on nutrition, hygiene and other behaviors

Internal Medicine Subspecialties

Internal medicine physicians have a choice when it comes to their practice. They can focus on general internal medicine or specialize in additional areas after they complete their residency. The American Board of Internal Medicine offers certification in the following subspecialties :

• Cardiovascular, a focus on the heart and vascular system
• Endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism, a focus on glandular and metabolic disorders
• Gastroenterology, a specialization in the digestive system and liver
• Hematology, a focus on blood disorders
• Infectious diseases, including viral, fungal or parasitic infections
• Nephrology, specialized knowledge of the kidneys
• Oncology, or the treatment of cancers
• Pulmonary, or the treatment of the lungs and respiratory system
• Rheumatology, a focus on the joints and musculoskeletal system

Other specialties exist, including treating adolescents, older patients and those who suffer from serious illnesses.

Difference Between Internists and General Practitioners

Internists and general practitioners (also known as family medicine doctors) have key differences in how they practice and whom they see. Internal medicine physicians exclusively focus on adult medicine. General practitioners often see all the members of a family, including children.

Another significant difference between the two is the setting in which they work. Many family physicians focus on preventive medicine in outpatient settings. While internists can work in clinics, they often work more with inpatients.

Physicians in both fields complete a residency, but the nature of their postgraduate training can differ. Internal medicine residents see hospitalized patients for three years. General practitioners may spend one year working with inpatients before transitioning to training in pediatrics, gynecology and other outpatient disciplines.

Family physicians may have a broader scope, but internists have a deeper understanding of diseases that impact adults.

Reasons to See an Internist

A person might visit an internal medicine physician for many reasons . First and foremost, that may be the physician they choose as a primary care provider (PCP), especially if dealing with chronic health conditions. Others might choose internists because they want a doctor who can help as their health needs change.

Establishing a rapport with a primary care provider, especially an internist, can make coordinating your care among specialists easier. Internists can address everything from preventive care to severe illnesses.

Education and Training Needed to be an Internist?

Internists follow the traditional path of medical students . First, they must have a bachelor’s degree, typically in biology, physical science or another healthcare-adjacent field. After earning their bachelor’s degree, internists attend medical school.

In the first phase of medical school, they likely spend time in labs, classrooms and small groups. This experience allows them to learn anatomy, biochemistry, psychology, medical ethics and laws that govern how doctors work. In the second phase, they work directly with patients under the guidance of practicing, experienced physicians in hospitals and clinics.?

Most medical school graduates then complete a residency in their specialty. Residencies can last anywhere from three to nine years, depending on the specialty. Additional specialization requires extra training in fellowships.

Doctors must have a medical license from the state they plan on practicing in. These licenses require the doctor to pass standardized national exams. Board certification in specialties may not be necessary, but it can increase the chances of finding a job. Candidates who seek board certification must complete residency programs and pass a certification exam.

Skills Needed to Become an Internist

Beyond their education, most physicians share common attributes that make them effective. Internists are no exception. Most physicians need to exhibit the following qualities and skills :

• Problem-solving skills: One of the essential qualities for internists is the ability to analyze and evaluate patient symptoms to determine treatments. In emergent situations, this must happen quickly.
• Excellent communication: Doctors must convey information to patients and other healthcare professionals through verbal and written means.
• Compassion: For many people, a visit with an internist may be one of the most stressful days of their lives. Patients who visit a doctor while sick or in extreme pain need an understanding physician to help them.
• Attention to detail: Internists must be precise in monitoring and recording information about their patients.
• Leadership: Doctors must collaborate with other healthcare workers to manage patient care and lead a medical practice.

Potential Internal Doctor Salary

The median salary for general internal medicine physicians is $242,190 . This compares favorably across all physicians and surgeons, which is $208,000.?

Is Becoming an Internist a Good Career Path?

Internists are equipped with the skills and knowledge to treat several conditions. This offers flexibility when it comes to a work setting. Internists may practice in clinics, hospitals or other offices. They may be part of a physicians’ group or private practice. This flexibility allows them to work 40-hour weeks and see around 20-25 patients daily.

No matter their specialization (if any), internists can help patients manage their health over months or years. This makes internal medicine a deeply rewarding career .

Final Thoughts on Internal Physician Careers

Medicine is one of the highest-paying specialized fields , which makes it an attractive career option for many people. But the job outlook for doctors — and internists specifically — is expected to grow slower than the average of all occupations. For internists, job growth over the next decade is anticipated to be two percent.

Even with those relatively flat numbers, medicine is a career that will always be necessary. Moreover, as the aging population continues to increase, the number of doctors needed to care for them will as well.?

Top Takeaways

• Internists specialize in preventing and treating various ailments that affect our bodies.
• Internists can focus on particular systems or organs, such as the cardiovascular system, endocrine system or gastrointestinal system.
• Internists must have a bachelor’s degree, a medical degree and undergo a residency to earn their medical license.
• Internists differ from family medicine doctors in that they typically only treat adults.

(Reporting by NPD)