General Internal Medicine
“Where complexity meets expertise”
General Internists are specialists trained to manage the most challenging adult medical problems.
Whether in hospital or clinic, we bring a big-picture perspective – diagnosing difficult conditions,
coordinating care across specialties, and supporting patients with multiple or serious illnesses.
We work in both hospitals and outpatient clinics, caring for patients with serious illness, multiple medical problems, or conditions that don’t fit neatly into one specialty.
Our expertise lies in seeing the whole patient, coordinating across disciplines, and ensuring care is safe, effective, and evidence-based.
Why this matters for BC
General Internists are essential to the functioning of our healthcare system. We provide front-line specialty care for complex patients, reduce unnecessary referrals to multiple subspecialists, and support family physicians and hospital teams in managing difficult cases.
Without adequate recognition and resourcing, patients with complex needs risk falling through the cracks.
By strengthening General Internal Medicine in BC, the provincial healthcare system can ensure patients receive comprehensive, coordinated care—while making the best use of limited specialist and hospital resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
ARE GENERAL INTERNISTS THE SAME AS A FAMILY DOCTOR?
No. Family doctors (also called general practitioners) are experts in primary care—they are usually the first point of contact for patients, managing prevention, routine health concerns, prescriptions, and long-term continuity of care for individuals and families.
General Internists are specialists. After medical school, we complete a residency in internal medicine plus extra fellowship training. We focus on adults with complex, serious, or unusual health problems that go beyond the scope of primary care.
ARE GENERAL INTERNISTS THE SAME AS HOSPITALISTS?
No. Hospitalists are usually family physicians who provide inpatient care for patients admitted to hospital wards. They play a key role in looking after general medical patients while they are in hospital.
General Internists are trained to manage high-acuity cases, multi-system diseases, and difficult diagnostic problems.We are often called when hospital patients are very sick, when illnesses are complicated, or when coordination across multiple specialties is needed.
WHAT KINDS OF CONDITIONS DO GENERAL INTERNISTS TREAT?
We look after adults with:
- Multiple medical conditions at the same time (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, lung conditions)
- Undiagnosed illnesses or puzzling symptoms
- Serious or unstable medical problems requiring hospital admission
- Complex long-term conditions needing specialist outpatient follow-up
WHERE DO GENERAL INTERNISTS WORK?
In hospitals: We admit and care for patients with serious illness, consult on complex cases, and often coordinate care with other specialists.
In outpatient clinics: We provide follow-up for patients with complicated or chronic conditions, offering specialized management and advice to complement the care of family doctors.
WHY DOES GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE MATTER?
General Internal Medicine is sometimes called the “doctor’s doctor.” Our training allows us to:
- Take a big-picture view of a patient’s health
- Solve difficult diagnostic problems
- Manage several conditions together in a safe, coordinated way
- Support both patients and other healthcare providers in navigating complex care
Bottom Line
Family physicians provide ongoing primary care.
Hospitalists provide general inpatient care.
General Internists are specialists in complex adult medicine, working in both hospitals and clinics to ensure patients with serious or complicated illnesses get the expert, coordinated care they need.