Definition

1. Noun:
   • The branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and (nonsurgical) treatment of diseases of the internal organs (especially in adults): "Internal medicine" is the medical specialty focused on preventing, diagnosing, and treating a wide range of diseases and conditions affecting internal organ systems in adults, using non-surgical methods.

Usage

• "Internal medicine" is used as a singular, uncountable noun to refer to the medical field or specialty.
• It is often used in contexts discussing medical careers, hospital departments, or types of medical practice.
• The term is frequently abbreviated as "IM" in professional settings (e.g., "She's an IM resident").

Examples

• Noun:
  • He decided to specialize in internal medicine after medical school.
  • The hospital has a large and well-respected department of internal medicine.
  • As a practitioner of internal medicine, she manages complex chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

Advanced Usage

• "Internal medicine physician": A doctor who specializes in internal medicine; also commonly called an internist.
  • You should see an internal medicine physician for a comprehensive annual check-up.
• "Internal medicine residency": The multi-year training program required to become a specialist in this field.
  • She is in her third year of an internal medicine residency at a teaching hospital.

Variants and Related Words

• Internist (noun): A physician who specializes in internal medicine.
  • My internist referred me to a cardiologist for a more specific heart issue.
• Medical internist: A less common but sometimes used full term for an internist.

Synonyms

• General internal medicine: Often used to distinguish the broad specialty from its subspecialties.
• Adult medicine: A descriptive term highlighting the focus on adult patients (as opposed to pediatrics).

Notes on Meaning

• The core meaning of "internal medicine" is the nonsurgical medical care of adults. It encompasses a broad range of subspecialties (e.g., cardiology, gastroenterology, endocrinology) that focus on specific organ systems.
• It is distinct from other major fields like surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, and family medicine (though family medicine shares some overlap in adult care).

Noun

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