Internal Medicine Job Description
Internal medicine is a medical specialty focused on the comprehensive care of adults. Internists, also called internal medicine physicians, are trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent a wide range of diseases and conditions that affect adults.
An internal medicine doctor manages complex and chronic illnesses, performs detailed patient assessments, orders and interprets diagnostic tests, and develops treatment plans. Internists are trained to look at the patient holistically, considering all aspects of their health including interactions between their chronic conditions.
Internists work in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private practices, and they may collaborate with other specialists to provide coordinated care. They play a crucial role in managing chronic diseases including diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, and addressing acute medical problems like viruses, broken bones, or an asthma attack.
A career in internal medicine can be both challenging and rewarding. Internists develop long-term relationships with their patients, building trust over time by providing ongoing care. They make a significant impact on patients’ lives by improving their health and quality of life. Internal medicine physician jobs are in high demand and projected to grow 7% from 2018 to 2028.
The field is constantly evolving, and continuous learning is an integral part of being an internist. Internists often have expertise in a subspeciality such as cardiovascular disease, gastroenterology, urology, or oncology.
Common Internal Medicine Specialties
Internal medicine subspecialties focus on specific areas of adult health, allowing internists to gain advanced expertise in a particular field. Each subspecialty involves further training and certification, enabling physicians to provide highly specialized care and stay at the forefront of medical advancements in their chosen area.
Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiologist Job Description
An internist with a specialization in cardiovascular disease is also known as a cardiologist. They focus on diagnosing, treating, and preventing heart and vascular conditions. A cardiologist conducts a thorough medical history and physical examination to assess the patient’s cardiovascular health.
They utilize diagnostic tools such as electrocardiograms (ECGs), echocardiograms, stress tests, and cardiac catheterizations to identify heart conditions. The specialist develops and implements treatment plans for heart conditions and provides ongoing patient care. Sixty percent of all cardiologists are over 55 and nationwide, there is a predicted shortage of 120,000 physicians by 2030.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a cardiologist?
The average salary for a cardiologist can vary depending on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and the type of healthcare facility. Generally, cardiologists can expect to earn between $300,000 and $500,000 annually.
How does the salary of a cardiologist compare to other medical specialties?
Cardiologists typically earn higher salaries compared to other medical specialties. Cardiovascular care can be very complex and there is a high demand for specialists in this field. Cardiologists often earn more than general internists and family physicians but may earn less than some surgical specialists.
What factors can influence a cardiologist’s salary?
Several factors impact a cardiologist’s salary including their level of experience, geographic location, the type of practice (private practice, hospital, academic institution), subspecialty (such as interventional cardiology or electrophysiology), and the demand for cardiology services in a particular area.
Do cardiologists receive additional compensation beyond their base salary?
Yes, cardiologists often receive additional compensation including bonuses, profit-sharing, benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans, and compensation for on-call duties or overtime.
How does the salary of an interventional cardiologist compare to that of a general cardiologist?
Because interventional cardiologists perform procedures such as angioplasty and stent placements, they typically earn higher salaries than general cardiologists. They also have a specialized skillset and have completed the additional training required for interventional procedures. Due to the increased level of risk and complexity in interventional cardiology, interventional cardiologists can earn $400,000 to $600,000 or more.
Top 5 Highest and Lowest Paying States for Cardiologist Jobs in the US
Top 5 Highest Paying States for Cardiologists:
- Oregon
- Alaska
- North Dakota
- Massachusetts
- Hawaii
Top 5 Lowest Paying States for Cardiologists:
- Florida
- West Virginia
- Louisiana
- Georgia
- Kansas
The state data varies between sources.
Gastroenterology
Gastroenterologist Job Description
An internist with a specialization in gastroenterology is also called a gastroenterologist. They focus on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of digestive system disorders including diseases and conditions that affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.
A gastroenterologist will conduct a comprehensive medical history and physical examination to assess digestive health and identify the symptoms related to gastrointestinal disorders. Utilizing various diagnostic tools and procedures, such as endoscopies, colonoscopies, sigmoidoscopies, and imaging studies (e.g., CT scans, MRIs), they can diagnose conditions of the digestive system.
Lastly, they develop and implement comprehensive treatment plans for conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and may perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures including endoscopic interventions to remove polyps, control bleeding, and treat strictures or blockages within the GI tract.
There is a rising demand for gastroenterology services and a limited supply of physicians. In a June 2021 report, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) projected a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians nationally by 2034. The demand for gastroenterologists has grown due to population grown, an aging population, and an increased awareness on gastrointestinal health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a gastroenterologist?
The average salary for a gastroenterologist varies but they typically earn between $350,000 and $500,000 per year.
How does the salary of a gastroenterologist compare to other medical specialties?
Gastroenterologists typically earn a higher salary than many other medical specialties. They often earn more than general internists and family physicians, but their salaries may be comparable to or slightly lower than those of cardiologists and orthopedic surgeons.
What factors can influence a gastroenterologist’s salary?
Several factors influence a gastroenterologist’s salary including geographic location, years of experience, the type of healthcare setting (private practice, hospital, academic institution), subspecialties within gastroenterology, and the overall demand for gastroenterology services in a particular region.
Do gastroenterologists receive additional compensation beyond their base salary?
Yes, gastroenterologists often receive additional compensation beyond their base salary. This may include bonuses, profit-sharing, benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans, and compensation for on-call duties or overtime.
How does the salary of a gastroenterologist vary by geographic location?
Geographic location significantly impacts a gastroenterologist’s salary. Generally, gastroenterologists in urban areas or regions with a higher cost of living tend to earn higher salaries. Salaries may be lower in rural areas or regions with a lower cost of living. Additionally, areas with a shortage of specialists or a high demand for gastroenterology services may offer higher compensation to attract qualified physicians.
Top 5 Highest and Lowest Paying States for Gastroenterologist Jobs in the US
Top 5 Highest Paying States for Gastroenterologists:
- New York
- Vermont
- Maine
- Pennsylvania
- Washington
Top 5 Lowest Paying States for Gastroenterologists:
- Florida
- Arkansas
- West Virginia
- Michigan
- Kentucky
The state data varies between sources.
Urology
Urologist Job Description
An internist with a specialization in urology is known as a urologist. Their careers are focused on diagnosing, treating, and managing disorders of the urinary tract and male reproductive system. After conducting a physical exam, they may use various diagnostic tools and procedures, such as urinalysis, blood tests, imaging studies (e.g., ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs), cystoscopies, and biopsies, to diagnose urinary or reproductive conditions.
In addition to developing a treatment plan and a management strategy, they perform surgeries such as nephrectomies, prostatectomies, and bladder repairs, as well as minimally invasive procedures like lithotripsy (to break up kidney stones), catheter insertions, and vasectomies.
Like many other specialties, there is a growing need for urologists and an expected shortage of physicians. To maintain the current number of urologists through 2060, 3,851 urology jobs must be filled annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a urologist?
The average salary for a urologist varies but typically ranges from $350,000 to $450,000 per year. Several factors impact the annual pay.
How does the salary of a urologist compare to other medical specialties?
Urologists generally earn competitive salaries compared to other medical specialties. They often earn more than general internists and family physicians, but their earnings might be comparable to or slightly lower than those of cardiologists and orthopedic surgeons.
What factors can influence a urologist’s salary?
Several factors influence a urologist’s salary including geographic location, years of experience, the type of practice (private practice, hospital, academic institution), subspecialties within urology (such as oncology or pediatric urology), and the demand for urology services in the area.
Do urologists receive additional compensation beyond their base salary?
Yes, urologists often receive additional compensation beyond their base salary including bonuses, profit-sharing, benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans, and additional pay for on-call duties or overtime work.
How does the salary of a urologist vary by geographic location?
Geographic location often impacts a urologist’s salary. Urologists in urban areas or regions with a higher cost of living typically earn higher salaries. In addition, an area with a high demand for urology services or a shortage of specialists may also offer higher compensation.
Top 5 Highest and Lowest Paying States for Urologist Jobs in the US
Top 5 Highest Paying States for Urologists:
- Wisconsin
- Alaska
- Massachusetts
- Oregon
- New Mexico
Top 5 Lowest Paying States for Urologists:
- Florida
- West Virginia
- Georgia
- Arkansas
- Alabama
The state data varies between sources.
Oncology
Oncologist Job Description
An internist with a specialization in oncology, also called a medical oncologist, focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cancer in adult patients. After conducting a patient history and performing a comprehensive exam, they may use both blood and imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Oncologists develop and implement a personalized treatment plan based on the type, stage, and location of cancer. They will choose a treatment option which may include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, and/or patient participation in clinical trials.
A 2007 study found that the demand for oncologists was likely to increase by 48 percent by 2020; however, the capacity was only expected to increase by 14 percent. The expectation was a shortage of 2,550 to 4,080 oncologists. The growth is due to an expected 81% increase in cancer survivorship and a 48% increase in cancer incidence due to an aging population and an increase in younger patients with cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for an oncologist?
The average salary for an oncologist typically ranges from $300,000 to $450,000 per year, but can vary depending on experience, location, subspecialty, and type of practice.
How does the salary of an oncologist compare to other medical specialties?
Oncologists generally earn more competitive salaries compared to other medical specialties. They earn more than general internists and family physicians but earn less than some surgical specialists and physicians in highly specialized fields like cardiology or orthopedic surgery.
What factors can influence an oncologist’s salary?
Several factors including geographic location, years of experience, the type of healthcare setting (hospital, private practice, academic institution), subspecialties within oncology (such as medical oncology, surgical oncology, or radiation oncology), and the demand for oncology services in the area can impact an oncologist’s salary.
Do oncologists receive additional compensation beyond their base salary?
Yes, oncologists often receive additional compensation beyond their base salary. The additional compensation often includes bonuses, profit-sharing, benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans, and additional pay for on-call duties or overtime work.
How does the salary of an oncologist vary by subspecialty?
The salary of an oncologist can vary by subspecialty. For example, radiation oncologists and surgical oncologists often earn higher salaries compared to medical oncologists due to their specialized skills and the advanced procedures performed. Furthermore, those in high-demand areas like pediatric oncology or hematologic oncology may have higher compensation.
Top 5 Highest and Lowest Paying States for Oncologist Jobs in the US
Top 5 Highest Paying States for Oncologists:
- Washington
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Virginia
- New York
Top 5 Lowest Paying States for Oncologists:
- Florida
- West Virginia
- Arkansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
The state data varies between sources.
Internal medicine encompasses a broad range of specialties dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of complex illnesses in adults. Its subspecialties, including cardiology, gastroenterology, urology, and oncology, allows for focused expertise on specific organ systems and conditions, improving patient care. This multidisciplinary approach ensures a comprehensive management and approach to chronic diseases, acute conditions, and preventative health, emphasizing the critical role of internal medicine in adult health.