What kind of training do internal medicine doctors have?

Internal Medicine doctors, or Internists, are trained to prevent, diagnose, and treat illness in adults. Internal Medicine is the fundamental base of medical training that many other specialties build on.

Internal Medicine doctors go through an extensive training process.  After medical school they must complete an internal medicine internship for a year that is followed by a two year residency program. Some internal medicine residents may choose to do an extra year as a chief resident.  Others may choose to do a fellowship in Internal Medicine that can be for two to three years.  Those going into specialties such as Cardiology need to finish an internal medicine residency before starting their fellowships.