Some internal medicine doctors continue on in their training to become specialists such as cardiologists or pulmonologists.  Many internal medicine doctors, however, practice primary care. They care for patients who are healthy as well as sick and treat a wide range of illnesses from acute to chronic, common to rare.  Internists are trained to handle complicated patients including those with complex problems or multiple diseases.  In addition to treating illness, internal medicine doctors also specialize in prevention of disease through the use of appropriate screening tests, counseling, and the promotion of healthy lifestyles.

Internal medicine doctors treat a wide range of diseases, but do refer to other specialists when problems are outside their area or reach the limit of their expertise.  Internists do not perform surgery (except for some minor office procedures) or deliver babies.  And, they should not be confused with interns who are doctors in their first year of medical training.

For more information on internal medicine, go to:

http://www.acponline.org/patients_families/about_internal_medic