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Internal Medicine Physician
A physician with a specialty in internal medicine provides long-term comprehensive care for common illness and complex heath issues for adolescents, adults, and the elderly. An internist helps patients manage such long-term problems as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and emphysema. Internists are also trained in understanding disease prevention, wellness, substance abuse, mental health and effective treatment of the eyes, ears, skin, nervous system and reproductive organs. They have often also received training in emergency medicine and critical care. These physicians will consult with surgeons when surgery is indicated for their patients and will serve as consultants to other specialists.
Internal medicine is a specialty that is characterized by long-term relationships with patients. The long-term relationship requires the physician to have sensitivity, compassion and personal commitment to their patients.
To become an Internal Medicine Specialist, one must complete four years of college, four years of medical school, and complete a three-year Internal Medicine residency accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education.
Most physicians work in an office-based practice, including clinics and HMOs (health maintenance organizations). Some physicians are employed by hospitals or practice in the Federal Government, primarily through the Department of Veterans Affairs or in the Public Heath Service of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Newly trained physicians in the future are more likely to work in group medical practices, clinics, and health care networks than their predecessors and less likely to open their own solo practices.
$160,000
*NATIONAL MEDIAN SALARIES CITED COURTESY OF ONE OF THE FOLLOWING SOURCES:
- UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR OR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
- 2003 ASHA Omnibus Survey
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