Function

• General internists treat, diagnose and manage the health and well-being of individuals who are ill with a condition or disease that is not easily treatable through surgery or medication.
  
  

Time Frame

• General internists typically have a Bachelor's of Science degree in a scientific or medical field, such as chemistry, biology or physiology. Because internists are physicians, a significant amount of medical school is also required. After receiving a undergraduate degree, an internist will usually spend four years in medical school and anywhere from three to eight years of residency requirements.
  
  

Identification

• General internists are often found in hospitals, nursing homes and hospice centers because the patients they treat usually suffer from severe illnesses. Many internists also have their own practices or work in medical clinics.
  
  

Features

• According to jobs-salary.com, most general internists throughout the United States make between $99,000 and $160,000.
  
  

Theories/Speculation

• In September 2008, USA Today noted that medical students are avoiding careers as general internists. The story noted that a physician shortage is expected to take place in the next few years as the Baby Boomer generation retires, with a significant drop in general internists likely to occur. Only 2% of nearly 1,200 medical students surveyed said they planned to pursue a career as a general internist. The most common reasons the survey participants gave for not wanting to become a general internist were having to treat chronically ill patients, an overabundance of paperwork and low pay compared to physicians in other fields.