Critical shortage of internal medicine MDs foreseen | U.S. | Reuters

Critical shortage of internal medicine MDs foreseen U.S. Reuters

Internal medicine as an ideal, is eroded by the wave of anti intellectualism that swept America during the cold war and continues today. Internal medicine, however remains arguably the scientific and intellectual apex of clinical medicine. Demoted by HICFA with a paltry unsustainable reimbursement, those who would aspire to this guarded specialty, branch off into sub-specialties where respect, quality of life and economics become more tenable. Most discouraging to the primary care internist, I would think, is the glib untrained alternative provider with a radio show, a special vitamin, bovine hormone or herbal remedy. If I were going into practice with what I know now, I would work only in a university hospital, preferably teaching and on a salary. That is not a bad recommendation for the patient either.