National Internal Medicine Day recognizes the contributions of more than 300,000 internal medicine physicians on October 28th annually. Internal medicine physicians (internists) are specialists. They apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, they provide compassionate care to adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Some internists take additional training to subspecialize in a more focused area of internal medicine. Their subspecialties may include cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, or infectious disease.
Internists are exceptionally well qualified to care for patients with complex conditions or multi-system diseases. Often, other physicians call on internists to act as consultants to help solve puzzling diagnostic problems. As a result, internists earned the name the “doctor’s doctor” since they are a reliable consultant.
Internists also practice in a variety of settings, including private practices, clinics, and hospitals. They also conduct research, teach in medical schools and residency programs, and hold administrative positions in a medical, corporate, or government settings.
The medical profession recognizes internists as pioneers in medicine. They have contributed important milestones in the evolution of patient care and advancements in research, diagnosis, care, and treatment. Notable internists include Nobel Prize winners and other internal medicine specialists and subspecialists. Such worthy recognition applied toward advancements as inventing dialysis, developing the first cardiac risk index, cholesterol synthesis, research on peptic ulcer disease, and holding leadership roles at national and federal government institutes, centers, and agencies.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalInternalMedicineDay
Learn more about internal medicine and internists by visiting the American College of Physicians (ACP) website, www.acponline.org. On ACP’s website, you will find printable and shareable social media content on a dedicated National Internal Medicine Day page www.acponline.org/NIMDay.
On social media, use #NationalInternalMedicineDay and #IMProud to recognize internists and share reasons why you are proud to practice internal medicine.
NATIONAL INTERNAL MEDICINE DAY HISTORY
The American College of Physicians (ACP) founded National Internal Medicine Day in 2019 to recognize the contributions of internal medicine specialists and subspecialists who are united by a commitment to excellence around the world. ACP represents 161,000 internal medicine physicians (internists), related subspecialists, and medical students across the globe, and is the largest medical-specialty society in the world. ACP and its physician members lead the profession in education, standard-setting, and the sharing of knowledge to advance the science and practice of internal medicine.