Christiana Care Primary Care

Primary Care

Internal Medicine Locations

Internal Medicine

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.

Caring for the whole patient

Internists are equipped to deal with whatever problem a patient brings, no matter how common or rare, simple or complex. They are specially trained to solve puzzling diagnostic problems and can handle severe chronic illnesses and situations where several different illnesses may strike at the same time. They also bring to patients an understanding of wellness (disease prevention and the promotion of health), women's health, substance abuse, mental health, and effective treatment of common problems of the eyes, ears, skin, nervous system and reproductive organs.