A physician who provides long-term, comprehensive care in the office and in the hospital, managing both common and complex illnesses of adolescents, adults, and the elderly. they are trained in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, infections, and diseases affecting the heart, blood, kidneys, joints, and the digestive, respiratory, and vascular systems. They are also trained in the essentials of primary care internal medicine, which incorporates an understanding of disease prevention, wellness, substance abuse, mental health, andeffective treatment of common problems of the eyes, ears, skin, nervoussystem, and reproductive organs.
In Commonwealth countries, the terms “general medicine” and “internal medicine” are often used interchangeably to refer to this specialty.