Doctors of Internal Medicine ... the 'doctor's doctor' is in!

Doctors of internal medicine focus on adult medicine and have had special study and training focusing on the prevention and treatment of adult diseases.

At least three 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.

A doctor of internal medicine is often referred to as an internist. However, don't confuse them with "interns," who are doctors in their first year of residency training. Although internists may act as primary-care physicians, they are not "family physicians," "family practitioners," or "general practitioners," whose training is not solely concentrated on adults and may include surgery, obstetrics and pediatrics.

Doctors of Internal Medicine -- "Internists" -- care for adult patients beginning at the age of 17. They continue to see these patients throughout their adult lives.

They are sometimes referred to as "the doctor's doctor" because they may be called upon to act as consultants to other physicians to help solve puzzling diagnostic problems.