What is Internal Medicine?

Physicians board certified in Internal Medicine focus on general adult medicine and have special study and training focusing on the prevention and treatment of adult diseases. Most of their seven or more years of medical school and postgraduate training are dedicated to learning how to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases that affect adults. Internists are primary care physicians that focus on the overall health, not just a specific area, of the patient. Internists are sometimes referred to as the “doctor’s doctor”, because they are often called upon to act as consultants to other physicians to help solve puzzling diagnostic problems.