Internists are specialists in adult, adolescent and geriatric medicine and provide the majority of health care to adults in this country. Internists are especially trained in the diagnosis of puzzling medical problems, in the on-going care of complicated illness, and in caring for patients with more than one disease. Internists also specialize in health promotion and disease prevention. A specialist is a physician who is first trained as an Internist but elects to receive further in-depth training in a specific and focused area of interest.  

The human body is comprised of many different organs.  A few of these organs are the heart, kidney, liver, lungs, genital system, urinary system, bones and joints, nervous system, for example. A specialist, therefore, becomes an expert in whichever area of the body he/she chooses to be trained in. For example, a heart doctor is called a Cardiologist. A urinary system or kidney doctor is called a Nephrologist; and, a lung doctor is called a Pulmonologist, etc.   

For further clarification let me explain how an Internist operates.  First, we interview the patient and elicit signs and symptoms that will give us clues to what may be causing the problem. Next, a complete physical examination of the entire body in conducted to detect any abnormal findings. However, we cannot see the internal organs, nor can we tell if they are functioning normally on a physical examination. Consequently, blood tests, urinalysis, and roentgenograms (commonly called "X" Rays) to evaluate the internal organs for disease may be requested. For example, to determine if your lung is affected by pneumonia, a chest "X" Ray is ordered).  To determine if you have Diabetes, a blood sugar test would be requested; a complete blood cell count would be requested to determine if you are anemic.

An Internist will combine the results obtained from following activities and formulate a "Diagnosis".

• patient interview for chief complaint and symptoms,
• physical examination,
• blood and urine tests, and
• "X" Rays    

 A list of alternate diagnoses (known as differential diagnoses) will also be developed. If the main diagnosis is not correct, alternate possibilities have been identified. A person may have more than one diagnosis or multiple medical illnesses at the same time, and an Internist is trained to diagnosis and treats all the possibilities. Long years of intensive training provide the knowledge and database needed to effectively and successfully treat a patient.

 Educationally, an Internist completes college, four years of medical school, and, three years of residency training (training under the auspices of more experienced doctors). At the completion of this training (7 years plus college), the stamp of approval is earned from the specialty board by passing a difficult comprehensive examination called the`American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). Consequently, if your physician is a Board Certified Internal Medicine doctor, you are in good hands - just like the insurance company, " All State."

Professionally, a career in internal medicine offers a lifetime of opportunities for both professional choices and personal growth.

Subspecialties represented in Department of Internal Medicine include but are not limited to:  

• Cardiology
• Critical Care
• Dermatology
• Endocrinology
• Gastroenterology
• Geriatrics
• Hematology
• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Oncology
• Nephrology
• Neurology
• Nutrition
• Pulmonology

The Internal Medicine Department at Meharry offers a three-year Internal Medicine Residency Training Program for graduates from American medical schools and international medical school graduates. The Program Director is Dr. Clinton L. Cummings. Training is provided at Nashville General Hospital at Meharry and the Alvin C. York V.A. Medical Center in Murfreesboro, TN, which is, located approximately 30 miles southeast. Training in internal medicine provides opportunities to care for ambulatory patients with all types of illnesses, hospitalized patients, refer patients to and consult with medical and surgical subspecialties, deliver emergency care, critical care and perform various procedures such as lumbar puncture, joint aspiration, flexible sigmoidoscopy, insertion of temporary, insertion of temporary cardiac pacemakers, and thoracentesis.

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