Internal medicine is the medical specialty dedicated to the diagnosis and medical treatment of teenagers, adults and the elderly. Internal medicine doctors often serve as primary care physicians, meaning that patients visit them first when experiencing symptoms of an illness. Internal medicine doctors also perform physical checkups for preventative purposes.
To diagnose conditions, Internal Medicine doctors visually inspect patients, palpitate areas of their body to detect pain and swelling, and order diagnostic tests, such as blood work or X-rays. Once able to make a diagnosis, Internal Medicine doctors develop a treatment plan or refer patients to a specialist if necessary.