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Internist vs cardiologist

The differences between internists and cardiologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cardiologist has an average salary of $299,848, which is higher than the $223,415 average annual salary of an internist.

The top three skills for an internist include patients, primary care and EMR. The most important skills for a cardiologist are cardiology, patients, and patient care.

Internist vs cardiologist overview

InternistCardiologist
Yearly salary$223,415$299,848
Hourly rate$107.41$144.16
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs31,6592,849
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Average age4848
Years of experience6-

What does an internist do?

An internist is a physician of internal medicine whose primary duty is to diagnose and treat different illnesses and injuries. Their responsibilities revolve around conducting initial assessment and examination, reviewing medical records and histories, providing consultations, prescribing medicines, and coordinating with different health care workers to ensure optimal care and service to patients. Moreover, it is essential to discuss and explain conditions to patients or their families, monitor their condition, provide health care advice, and refer them to any specialists or support services as needed.

What does a cardiologist do?

A cardiologist is an expert at diagnosing and treating cardiovascular diseases. They are primarily in charge of conducting initial assessment and interview, conducting extensive examinations, studying the patient's medical history, and recommending the best care practices for patients. A cardiologist must also discuss the situation with patients, helping them understand the extent of their conditions and corresponding procedures, referring them to other services as needed. Furthermore, there are instances when a cardiologist must use imaging equipment for diagnosis, prescribe medication, and perform surgeries.

Internist vs cardiologist salary

Internists and cardiologists have different pay scales, as shown below.

InternistCardiologist
Average salary$223,415$299,848
Salary rangeBetween $120,000 And $415,000Between $150,000 And $597,000
Highest paying CitySpringfield, OHFargo, ND
Highest paying stateAlaskaNorth Dakota
Best paying companyCentral Ohio Primary CareBillings Clinic
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between internist and cardiologist education

There are a few differences between an internist and a cardiologist in terms of educational background:

InternistCardiologist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Most common majorMedicineMedicine
Most common collegeUniversity of VirginiaEmory University

Internist vs cardiologist demographics

Here are the differences between internists' and cardiologists' demographics:

InternistCardiologist
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 37.3% Female, 62.7%Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 10.0% Asian, 19.0% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 18.6% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between internist and cardiologist duties and responsibilities

Internist example responsibilities.

  • Train and manage new interns/ volunteers assisting with the evidence-based hypertension management program.
  • Implement EMR solely in a huge practice.
  • Evaluate health education needs of patients and provide necessary training and instruction.
  • Provide overall quality prenatal health care, gynecological services, patient triage, refer patients with complications, provide patient education service
  • Perform uncomplicated surgical extractions, bone grafting and suturing as needed independently.
  • Provide physiotherapy, rehabilitation and chiropractic treatment for various conditions and injuries.
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Cardiologist example responsibilities.

  • Train and manage new interns/ volunteers assisting with the evidence-based hypertension management program.
  • Facilitate patient use of cardiac rehabilitation services.
  • Schedule patients for surgery, order preoperative and postoperative treatments and procedures.
  • Educate patients and provide them vitamin and nutritional supplements base on diagnosis.
  • Skil in analysis and diagnosis of ECG.
  • Perform exercise treadmill, stress echo exam.
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Internist vs cardiologist skills

Common internist skills
  • Patients, 30%
  • Primary Care, 13%
  • EMR, 7%
  • Critical Care, 6%
  • Private Practice, 6%
  • Rehabilitation, 5%
Common cardiologist skills
  • Cardiology, 27%
  • Patients, 24%
  • Patient Care, 9%
  • Echocardiogram, 5%
  • Cath Lab, 5%
  • Internal Medicine, 5%

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