You will usually see this doctor for regular check-ups and medical problems. This medical specialty requires three years of residency training after medical school. Physicians are trained to treat patients of all ages and, like pediatricians, are often familiar with a patient s family and medical history. Internal Medicine Internists diagnose and treat adult illnesses of the body s internal organs. These doctors are also able to identify the cause of complex medical problems and refer patients, when necessary, to the appropriate specialists.
Internists treat such conditions as arthritis, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
They often manage the total health care of patients with chronic illness. Pediatrics Pediatrics is for patients from birth through adolescence. Pediatricians will diagnose and treat the usual childhood illnesses, minor cuts, bruises, and sprains. They are also involved in treating more complicated diseases such as diabetes, and abnormal growth and development. These doctors are usually familiar with the family structure and behavioral development of the children they treat.