I.M. the cornerstone of comprehensive health care.
I.M. an internal medicine physician.
Our Professional Identity
Internal medicine physicians are the foundation of clinical care. We see every connection in the adult human body. Our expertise makes us vital to both patients and medical professionals.
We are Leaders, Experts, Connectors and Detectors
Internal medicine physicians are experts in complexity. We serve, and lead, in every place and everywhere, in many diverse roles and settings. We are critical thinkers who thrive in uncertainty and excel in the most challenging and dynamic environments, and care for patients throughout their health care journey.
What We Do
Internal medicine physicians see the big picture. Our deep training and knowledge of the entire human body and its organ systems give us a unique perspective of how everything works in unison. We analyze, consider and make connections from multiple data sets, and identify solutions for optimal health outcomes.
Internal medicine physicians specialize in adult medicine, and are specially trained to solve diagnostic problems, manage severe long-term illnesses, and help patients with multiple, complex chronic conditions. We provide comprehensive, longitudinal patient care. We have life-long relationships with our adult patients. Our patients are more than symptoms and diseases, and our recommendations are based on each patient’s unique situation. Often, other medical professionals call upon Internal Medicine Physicians for our ability to connect the dots, help solve problems, and identify solutions.
Our Career Pathways
Internal medicine physicians have a comprehensive knowledge and expertise in adult health and understand lifestyle and environmental influences and how everything works in unison. We are uniquely qualified to provide comprehensive patient care and often care for patients over the duration of their adult lives. We do this in many ways and in a variety of settings.
Internal medicine physicians are everywhere. We care for patients in outpatient settings (sometimes referred to as “primary care”) and inpatient settings, such as hospitals. Internal medicine physicians known as “hospitalists” focus on caring for patients in a hospital setting. We also care for patients in other clinical settings, such as rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, and health clinics.
Some internal medicine physicians go on to take additional training to "subspecialize" in more focused areas of internal medicine. After we complete this training, we are frequently referred to by this area of subspecialty focus. For example, those who subspecialize in diseases of the heart are usually called “Cardiologists.” Regardless of these subspecialties, we are all internal medicine physicians first, and share the same foundational internal medicine training.
Internal Medicine is a launchpad for many different career pathways and a gateway to health care leadership and impact. In addition to providing longitudinal patient care, conducting research, and leading teams in clinical environments, Internal Medicine Physicians thrive in leadership roles at hospitals and health care systems, and in business, technology, and public policy.
Our Impact
In today’s complex and often fragmented health care systems internal medicine physicians are the missing puzzle piece that completes the health story, and keep the patient at the center.
We provide structure and direction, bring teams of experts together to solve big problems, and blaze the trail for new health care policies and models of care.
Internal medicine physicians advance health care in public and private sectors. We optimize patient care, lead teams of medical professionals, and hold leadership positions in clinical, business, technology and government settings.
Our expertise and knowledge provide a vital foundation for patients, medical professionals, and the health care system every day.
Spotlight on Internal Medicine Physician Leaders
We serve, and lead, in every place and everywhere, in many diverse roles and settings. Internal medicine training instills a sense of leadership and collaboration at its core which can be leveraged in any profession throughout one’s career.
…There is so much that I love about outpatient general medicine: meaningful longitudinal relationships with patients over time; history taking, physical exams, and engaging in clinical reasoning to determine next steps; thinking holistically about patients; and focusing not just on disease treatment but also disease prevention and maintenance of health.
— Jennifer Kogan, MD, FACP