internist

An internist is a physician who specializes in the primary care of adults. There are many subspecialty fields within internal medicine:

Adolescent medicine specialists care for adolescents.

Cardiologists treat conditions of the heart. Related subspecialties are clinical cardiac electrophysiology and interventional cardiology.

Endocrinologists treat conditions of the endocrine glands (those that produce hormones), including the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands, as well as the pancreas, ovaries and testes. These glands are responsible for growth, metabolism, sexual maturity, reproduction and resistance to stress and disease.

Gastroenterologists specialize in conditions of the stomach, intestines, esophagus, liver, gallbladder and pancreas.

Hematologists specialize in conditions of the blood and the blood-forming tissues of the body. Many hematologists are also trained in oncology (the care of people who have cancer).

Infectious disease specialists specialize in diseases caused by microorganisms.

Nephrologists specialize in conditions of the kidneys.

Oncologists specialize in the care of people who have cancer. Many oncologists are also trained in hematology.

Pulmonologists specialize in conditions of the lungs.

Rheumatologists specialize in conditions of the muscles, joints, ligaments and cartilage, such as arthritis.
Internists can also obtain certificates of added qualification in geriatrics, clinical and laboratory immunology, critical care medicine and sports medicine.