Internal Medicine doctors, known as internists, specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and long-term management of adult diseases. Their training focuses exclusively on the health needs of individuals aged 18 and older. This specialized focus often causes confusion regarding their role in routine health maintenance. Internists are fundamentally trained to be the primary healthcare provider for the adult patient.
Defining Internal Medicine and Primary Care
Yes, Internal Medicine doctors perform physicals, often serving as a patient’s Primary Care Physician (PCP). The annual physical, or preventive health visit, is a standard component of general internal medicine practice for adult patients. During these visits, the internist conducts a comprehensive evaluation, including a physical examination, vital signs assessment, and a review of the patient’s medical history and risk factors.
The core of an internist’s practice involves coordinating preventative care, such as recommending appropriate cancer screenings, lab tests, and immunizations. Their training provides a deep understanding of complex, multi-system diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. They are highly skilled at managing these chronic conditions, which often requires analyzing how one illness affects other body systems. This focus makes them well-suited to manage the long-term health of adults, especially those with multiple ongoing health concerns.
Scope Differences: Internal Medicine vs. Family Medicine
A significant distinction exists between Internal Medicine and Family Medicine, though both can function as Primary Care Physicians. The most apparent difference is the age range of patients they treat. Internal Medicine physicians train solely in adult medicine, typically caring for patients from age 18 through the elderly years.
Family Medicine physicians are trained to provide comprehensive care across the entire lifespan, from newborns through adults. Their three-year residency is broader, including training in pediatrics, obstetrics, minor surgery, and musculoskeletal issues. The internist’s three-year training is more intensely focused on the complexities of internal organ systems and challenging diagnostic cases in adults. While a Family Medicine doctor offers services for the whole family, the internist offers a deeper, specialized focus on adult pathology and chronic illness management.
The Subspecialty Factor
The primary reason some Internal Medicine doctors do not perform physicals is subspecialization. Internal Medicine is a foundational specialty, and many internists pursue additional training, known as a fellowship, after their residency. This fellowship involves an extra two to four years of highly focused training in a specific organ system or disease area.
Upon completing a fellowship, the doctor becomes a subspecialist, such as a cardiologist or endocrinologist. These subspecialists shift their practice focus entirely to consultative care, seeing only patients referred for their specific expertise. In this specialist role, they typically cease to act as a general PCP and do not perform routine annual physicals.