Internal medicine or general medicine (in Commonwealth nations) is the medical specialty dealing with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of adult diseases. Physicians specializing in internal medicine are called internists, or physicians (without a modifier) in Commonwealth nations. Internists are skilled in the management of patients who have undifferentiated or multi-system disease processes. Internists care for hospitalized and ambulatory patients and may play a major role in teaching and research.

Because internal medicine patients are often seriously ill or require complex investigations, internists do much of their work in hospitals. Internists often have subspecialty interests in diseases affecting particular organs or organ systems.

Internal medicine is also a specialty within clinical pharmacy and veterinary medicine.

Patient Care
We provide general and preventive medicine at nine different clinic locations for adults with health conditions including arthritis, asthma, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. We provide preventive care such as immunizations, health counseling, medicine/pediatrics, and sports physicals. Finally, we help coordinate care with subspecialist colleagues for our many patients with multiple medical conditions.

Education and Training
Every generation of physicians has an obligation to pass on their wisdom and insight to the next generation. General Medicine faculty are no exception. They are considered among the most talented teachers at U-M and have been honored for their work in this area by both the Medical School and the Department of Internal Medicine.

Research
We have one of the most successful research programs of its kind in the country. Our physicians are recognized as leaders in their respective fields and have been awarded peer-reviewed grants to fund their discoveries. Our ground-breaking research tends not to focus on a particular disease or organ, but instead addresses the whole person and how they interact with the broader health system. Finally, we are experts in the systems of health care delivery, quality of care, patient safety, financing of health care, and health policy.