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Internist vs internal medicine physician

The differences between internists and internal medicine physicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an internist and an internal medicine physician. Additionally, an internist has an average salary of $223,415, which is higher than the $215,014 average annual salary of an internal medicine physician.

The top three skills for an internist include patients, primary care and EMR. The most important skills for an internal medicine physician are patients, critical care, and epic.

Internist vs internal medicine physician overview

InternistInternal Medicine Physician
Yearly salary$223,415$215,014
Hourly rate$107.41$103.37
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs31,65949,698
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Doctoral Degree, 38%
Average age4848
Years of experience66

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 an internal medicine physician do?

An Internal Medicine Physician examines adult patients to ensure proper injury care and disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. They conduct and supervise direct patient care, and plan and execute disease prevention and health promotion programs.

Internist vs internal medicine physician salary

Internists and internal medicine physicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

InternistInternal Medicine Physician
Average salary$223,415$215,014
Salary rangeBetween $120,000 And $415,000Between $142,000 And $325,000
Highest paying CitySpringfield, OHFargo, ND
Highest paying stateAlaskaVermont
Best paying companyCentral Ohio Primary CareFreeman Health System
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between internist and internal medicine physician education

There are a few differences between an internist and an internal medicine physician in terms of educational background:

InternistInternal Medicine Physician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Doctoral Degree, 38%
Most common majorMedicineMedicine
Most common collegeUniversity of VirginiaDuke University

Internist vs internal medicine physician demographics

Here are the differences between internists' and internal medicine physicians' demographics:

InternistInternal Medicine Physician
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 37.3% Female, 62.7%Male, 45.8% Female, 54.2%
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, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 19.2% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between internist and internal medicine physician 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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Internal medicine physician example responsibilities.

  • Rotate in cardiology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, infectious disease, nephrology, hematology, endocrinology, neurology and ICU.
  • Work in ICU, ER, surgery, OB/GYN, and internal medicine.
  • Lecture in the field of geriatrics.
  • Perform injections such as antibiotics, flu shots and hormones.
  • Assist in their surgery and take care of the post op needs.
  • Certify in BCLS, ACLS and also in majority of invasive procedures.
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Internist vs internal medicine physician skills

Common internist skills
  • Patients, 30%
  • Primary Care, 13%
  • EMR, 7%
  • Critical Care, 6%
  • Private Practice, 6%
  • Rehabilitation, 5%
Common internal medicine physician skills
  • Patients, 41%
  • Critical Care, 17%
  • Epic, 7%
  • Family Practice, 5%
  • Internal Medicine Practice, 3%
  • Medical Education, 2%

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