General Internal Medicine Physicians

Salary Overview

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Key Skills

Knowledge Areas

What They Do

• Manage and treat common health problems, such as infections, influenza or pneumonia, as well as serious, chronic, and complex illnesses, in adolescents, adults, and the elderly.
• Provide and manage long-term, comprehensive medical care, including diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of diseases, for adult patients in an office or hospital.
• Advise patients and community members concerning diet, activity, hygiene, and disease prevention.
• Refer patient to medical specialist or other practitioner when necessary.
• Collect, record, and maintain patient information, such as medical history, reports, or examination results.
• Provide consulting services to other doctors caring for patients with special or difficult problems.
• Prepare government or organizational reports on birth, death, and disease statistics, workforce evaluations, or the medical status of individuals.
• Analyze records, reports, test results, or examination information to diagnose medical condition of patient.

Tools & Technology

★ = Hot Technology (in-demand)

Education Requirements

Typical entry-level education: On-the-Job Training

Related Careers

Featured In

Careers with the highest skill compatibility from General Internal Medicine Physicians.

A Day in the Life

An internist's day typically begins with reviewing patient charts, lab results, and imaging studies before morning appointments or hospital rounds. In an outpatient clinic, they see 15 to 25 patients daily, conducting thorough physical examinations and taking detailed medical histories. Managing chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and COPD requires ongoing treatment adjustments and patient education. Complex diagnostic cases are a hallmark of internal medicine, with physicians piecing together symptoms across multiple organ systems to reach accurate diagnoses. Hospital-based internists, or hospitalists, manage inpatient care including admissions, daily rounds, and discharge planning. Coordinating with specialists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers ensures comprehensive treatment for patients with multiple conditions. Afternoons may include follow-up calls, reviewing test results, documenting encounters in electronic health records, and prior authorization requests. On-call responsibilities require availability for after-hours patient questions, emergency consultations, and urgent hospital admissions.

Work Environment

Internists practice in diverse settings including private offices, group practices, hospitals, academic medical centers, and community health clinics. Office-based practices offer more predictable schedules, typically operating during regular business hours with some evening availability. Hospital-based internists work in shifts that can extend to 12 or more hours, including nights and weekends. The emotional demands are significant, as physicians regularly deal with seriously ill patients, difficult diagnoses, and end-of-life conversations. Electronic health record documentation consumes a substantial portion of each day, often extending work beyond patient contact hours. The workplace is collaborative, with internists regularly consulting specialists, coordinating with nursing staff, and communicating with patients' families. Many practices are implementing team-based care models with nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and care coordinators sharing responsibilities. Administrative burdens from insurance requirements, prior authorizations, and regulatory compliance add to the workload.

Career Path & Advancement

Becoming an internist requires four years of undergraduate education, four years of medical school, and three years of internal medicine residency. Earning a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from an accredited medical school is the essential first step. Residency training provides intensive clinical experience in hospital and outpatient settings across all areas of adult medicine. Board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine requires passing a comprehensive examination after completing residency. Many internists further specialize through fellowship training in areas like cardiology, gastroenterology, or oncology, adding one to four additional years. Physicians must maintain board certification through continuing medical education and periodic recertification examinations. Career advancement can lead to department chief, medical director, or health system leadership positions. Academic internists combine clinical practice with research and teaching at university medical centers.

Specializations

Hospital medicine is one of the fastest-growing subspecialties, with hospitalists focusing exclusively on inpatient care and coordinating complex hospitalizations. Cardiology fellowships lead to expertise in heart disease, from preventive care to interventional procedures and electrophysiology. Gastroenterology specialists diagnose and treat digestive system disorders, performing procedures like colonoscopies and endoscopies. Pulmonology and critical care medicine combines lung disease management with intensive care unit expertise. Endocrinology focuses on hormonal disorders including diabetes, thyroid disease, and metabolic conditions. Infectious disease specialists manage complex infections, antimicrobial stewardship, and emerging disease outbreaks. Rheumatology addresses autoimmune and musculoskeletal disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and vasculitis. Nephrology specialists manage kidney disease, dialysis, and kidney transplant medicine.

Pros & Cons

Industry Insight

Primary care physician shortages are projected to worsen, with the Association of American Medical Colleges forecasting a deficit of up to 48,000 primary care physicians by 2034. Value-based care models are shifting reimbursement from volume to outcomes, changing how internists structure their practices. Telemedicine has become a permanent component of internal medicine practice, expanding patient access and practice flexibility. Artificial intelligence and clinical decision support tools are being integrated into diagnostic processes and treatment planning. Burnout remains a critical concern, with systemic efforts underway to reduce administrative burden and improve physician well-being. Concierge and direct primary care models are growing as alternatives to traditional insurance-based practice structures. Population health management and preventive medicine are receiving increased emphasis from payers and health systems. The integration of behavioral health into primary care settings addresses the growing recognition of mental health's impact on overall health outcomes.