Definition

1. Noun:
   • The branch of medicine focused on comprehensive, nonsurgical adult patient care: "General medicine" refers to the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and nonsurgical treatment of a wide range of diseases and conditions, particularly those affecting internal organs in adults. It emphasizes holistic, longitudinal care.

Usage

• "General medicine" is used to describe the field of practice of a physician (an internist or general physician) who does not perform surgery but manages diverse medical conditions.
• It is often contrasted with surgical specialties or more focused medical subspecialties (e.g., cardiology, neurology).
• It is commonly associated with hospital-based care for adults (internal medicine) but can also refer to broad primary care practice.

Examples

• Noun:
  • After medical school, she chose to specialize in general medicine.
  • The hospital has a large department of general medicine for treating complex adult cases.
  • His approach in general medicine is to treat the whole patient, not just the disease.

Advanced Usage

• "Practice of general medicine": This phrase emphasizes the clinical application and profession.

  • He returned to the practice of general medicine in a rural community.

• "General medicine physician" or "Consultant in General Medicine": Terms for a specialist in this field.

  • The general medicine physician coordinated care with several specialists.

Variants and Related Words

• Internal Medicine (n): In many contexts, especially in the United States, this is the synonymous term for the specialty of adult general medicine.

  • Internal medicine requires three years of residency training.

• General Physician (n): A doctor whose practice is based in general medicine.

• General Practice (n): While related, this often refers to family medicine/primary care, which may include care for all ages and minor procedures, whereas "general medicine" typically focuses on adult nonsurgical hospital medicine.

Synonyms

• Internal Medicine: The specialty dealing with adult diseases.
• Adult Medicine: Medicine focused on adult patients.

Related Phrases

• Department of Medicine: A common hospital department name encompassing general medicine and its subspecialties.
• Medical Ward/Unit: A hospital unit where patients under general medicine are cared for.

Noun

1. the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and (nonsurgical) treatment of diseases of the internal organs (especially in adults)