Subspecialty Careers: Highlights about Careers in Internal Medicine: Infectious Disease
The Discipline
From the Latin word inficere, "to dye or stain" but also "to corrupt or spoil." The ancients conceived that disease could result from the entrance of invisible agents into the body, a sort of "tainting."
Infectious disease medicine requires an understanding of the microbiology, prevention, and management of disorders caused by viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections. This understanding includes the appropriate use of antimicrobial agents, vaccines, and other immunobiological agents. Important content includes the environmental, occupational, and host factors that predispose to infection, as well as the basic principles of epidemiology and transmission of infection.
Procedures
Important procedural skills include the proper collection of culture specimens, Gram and other staining techniques. The specialist in infectious disease is an expert in ordering and interpreting antibiotic sensitivity tests and serum levels, CD4 counts, ELISA, polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting studies, and serology for infections.
Training
Infectious disease fellowship training requires two years of accredited training beyond general internal medicine residency. During the two years, a minimum of 12 months must include clinical training in the diagnosis and management of a broad spectrum of medical diseases.
Certification
The American Board of Internal Medicine offers certification in infectious disease.
Training Positions
As of August 2005, there were 141 ACGME-accredited training programs in infectious disease with 679 active training positions. 41% percent of the trainees were female, and 48% were US medical graduates.
Practice
Approximately 40% of the graduates in the United States enter clinical practice in infectious disease, and 43% enter academic medicine.
Major Professional Societies
Infectious Diseases Society of America
66 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 600
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 299-0200
Major Publications
Match Day 2012: An Exciting Experience
Go behind the scenes at Match Day 2012 at The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and hear Dr. Katrina Armstrong, Chief of the Internal Medicine Division at Penn Medicine describe being part of the Match Day experience.
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Find a Residency
Search ACP's Internal Medicine Residency Database for information on all internal medicine residency programs in the U.S. and Canada. (ACP Members only)
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