The General Internist

General internists handle the broad and comprehensive spectrum of illnesses that affect adults, and are recognized as experts in diagnosis, in treatment of chronic illness, and in health promotion and disease prevention—they are not limited to one type of medical problem or organ system. General internists often care for patients over the duration of their adult lives, providing the physician an opportunity to establish long and rewarding personal relationships with their patients.

Most general internists provide care for their patients in an ambulatory (office or outpatient) setting, and in an inpatient setting when their patients become hospitalized. Still other general internists choose to care for patients either exclusively in the inpatient setting (often called hospitalists) or exclusively in an outpatient setting.

Imagine the Possibilities: Careers in Internal Medicine

This career-counseling brochure [PDF] contains information about careers in internal medicine and is designed for medical and pre-medical students.

Benefits of ACP Membership for Students: ACP's free Medical Student Membership includes benefits designed especially to meet students' needs.

Find a Residency

Search ACP's Internal Medicine Residency Database for information on all internal medicine residency programs in the U.S. and Canada.

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