What Is the Description of an Internal Medicine Doctor?

Internal medicine doctors treat adult diseases.

Many doctors choose to specialize in internal medicine. According to the American College of Physicians, internal medicine doctors focus on diagnosing and treating adult diseases.

Education

Those wishing to practice internal medicine typically must complete a bachelor's degree program and medical school and then participate in three-year residency program. An internal medicine subspecialty also requires one to three years of additional training, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Training

General internal medicine physicians receive training in the diagnosis and treatment of infections, diseases and cancers that affect most of the major body systems.

Subspecialties

Subspecialties of internal medicine include cardiology, geriatric medicine, oncology and infectious diseases. The American College of Physicians also reports endocrinology, gastroenterology and adolescent medicine as subspecialities.

Work Settings

Internal medicine doctors may choose to work in hospital settings or in a private practice. They can and do act as primary care physicians, but frequently serve as consultants to other physicians, the American College of Physicians notes.

Salary

The Association of American Medical Colleges reports that, as of 2008, the average salary range for a doctor specializing in internal medicine is between approximately $175,000 and $210,000 annually.

References

• Association of American Medical Colleges: Internal Medicine
• American College of Physicians: About Internal Medicine
• American College of Physicians: Subspecialist