Adult (Not Internal) Medicine
Authors: Lee Goldman
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1997)

Editorials1 November 1997Adult (Not Internal) MedicineLee Goldman, MDLee Goldman, MDUniversity of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0120Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-127-9-199711010-00010 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail The term internal medicine originated from the German Inneren Medizin, which came into common usage in the 1880s [1]. Internal medicine in Germany was distinguished from “clinical medicine” because of its new emphasis on experimental physiology and chemistry rather than the progression of disease manifestations [1].Unlike most specialists, who are clearly identified by technique (for example, surgery), body part (for example, ophthalmology), or target population (for example, pediatrics) [1], internists are commonly confused with interns and are frequently asked by patients and friends, “Exactly what does internal medicine mean?” Although everyone understands the meaning of the word family and ...References1. Bean WB. Origin of the term “internal medicine.” N Engl J Med. 1982; 306:182-3. Google Scholar2. American College of Physicians. Internal medicine. Doctors for adults. Where we fit in today's primary care picture [Pamphlet]. Philadelphia; 1996. Google Scholar3. Friedman RB. The diagnostic consultant. Am J Med. 1983; 74:929-31. Google Scholar4. Kurtz KJ, Goodman PH. The adult medicine specialist. Am J Med. 1985; 78:725-6. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Lee Goldman, MDAffiliations: University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0120Acknowledgments: The author thanks Robert Wachter, MD, and colleagues at the University of California, San Francisco, and Harry Kimball, MD, and colleagues at the American Board of Internal Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. These persons and their respective organizations do not necessarily share the author's opinions.Corresponding Author: Lee Goldman, MD, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, 505 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143-0120. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byModernizing the paths to certification in internal medicine and its subspecialtiesKey challenges confronting internal medicine in the early twenty-first centuryPatient perceptions of the capabilities of internists: a multi-center survey11The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and not to be construed as official policy of the Department of the Army, the Department of Defense, or the Department of Veterans Affairs.The name game: tradition and changeCurrent Health Care EnvironmentJames P. Nolan, MD 1 November 1997Volume 127, Issue 9Page: 835-836KeywordsAcademic medicineAdolescent medicineDiagnostic medicineForecastingPediatricsPreventive medicineScientistsSub-specialty careSurgeonsSurgery ePublished: 15 August 2000 Issue Published: 1 November 1997 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1997 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...