Emphasis is on the promotion of good health, prevention of disease, and detection of illnesses in their early stages. General Internal Medicine physicians take responsibility for the overall health care of their patients, seeking to understand the individual as whole, rather than the sum of organ systems. They help patients make choices in their medical care and serve as their advocates in matters related to their medical care.
General Internal Medicine physicians also serve as medical consultants to physicians from other specialties. For instance, they are often asked to evaluate patients’ candidacy for surgery. In addition, they assist the surgeon with on-going medical issues that might arise following surgery.