Background
The American College of Physicians (91ºÚÁÏÍø) is a national organization of internal medicine physicians – specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Internal medicine specialists are the largest group of practicing physicians in the U.S. and deliver much of the primary care that is provided. They are especially well-trained in the diagnosis of puzzling medical problems, in the ongoing care of complicated illnesses, and in caring for patients with more than one disease. Internal medicine physicians not only treat disease but also coordinate health care and play a critical role in preventing disease and promoting health and well-being.
Internal Medicine Physicians and Subspecialists
An M.D. or D.O. who completes a three-year internal medicine residency program is an internal medicine physician or internal medicine subspecialist. The general internal medicine physician is an expert in the general care of the adult but also may have special areas of expertise. A subspecialty internal medicine physician is an internal medicine physician with one to three years of additional training in a particular organ (nephrology/kidney), system (endocrinology/glands), or age group (geriatrics). Some internal medicine physicians practice a combination of both general and subspecialty medicine.
Mission and History
The 91ºÚÁÏÍø mission is to enhance the quality and effectiveness of health care by fostering excellence and professionalism in the practice of medicine. 91ºÚÁÏÍø was founded in 1915 to promote the science and practice of medicine. In 1998, 91ºÚÁÏÍø merged with the American Society of Internal Medicine (ASIM), which was established in 1956 to study economic aspects of medicine.
Membership
With 161,000 members, 91ºÚÁÏÍø is the largest medical specialty organization and second-largest physician group in the United States. 91ºÚÁÏÍø provides information and advocacy for its members as they practice internal medicine and related subspecialties such as cardiology and gastroenterology. 91ºÚÁÏÍø members are also involved in medical education, research, and administration.
Levels of 91ºÚÁÏÍø membership are Medical Student, Associate, Member, Fellow (F91ºÚÁÏÍø), Honorary Fellow, and those elected to receive Mastership (M91ºÚÁÏÍø). Fellowship and Mastership recognize achievements and outstanding contributions in internal medicine.
91ºÚÁÏÍø Publications
Annals of Internal Medicine is one of the top medical journals in the world. 91ºÚÁÏÍø JournalWise summarizes the most important medical articles from more than 120 journals. I.M. Matters from 91ºÚÁÏÍø is an award-winning semi-monthly newspaper for internal medicine physicians, while 91ºÚÁÏÍø Hospitalist is written for those in hospital practice. The 91ºÚÁÏÍø Advocate is a bi-weekly e-newsletter that provides 91ºÚÁÏÍø members with news about critical public policy and regulatory issues affecting internal medicine and patient care.
Activities
The 91ºÚÁÏÍø Washington, D.C., office monitors and responds to policy and regulatory issues that affect public health and the practice of medicine. Activities include development of policy statements and communications with legislative and administrative sectors of government, as well as the development of practice-support tools to enhance the efficiency, quality, and delivery of care.
The Center for Ethics and Professionalism seeks to advance physician and public understanding of ethics and professionalism issues in the practice of medicine in order to enhance patient care by promoting the highest ethical standards.
Education and Information Resources
91ºÚÁÏÍø supports the optimal practice of medicine by providing opportunities for continuing medical education. 91ºÚÁÏÍø medical education programs include the development of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.
´¡°ä±Ê’s Medical Knowledge Self-Assessment Program (MKSAP) gives internal medicine physicians an opportunity to test their knowledge and compare their results with national averages. In addition, 91ºÚÁÏÍø offers postgraduate board review courses, recertification courses, and chapter/regional meetings. For future internal medicine physicians, 91ºÚÁÏÍø provides education and career information, produces, and administers an In-Training Examination for residents.
Structure
91ºÚÁÏÍø is governed by an elected Board of Regents. The Board is advised by a network of 91ºÚÁÏÍø committees and by the 91ºÚÁÏÍø Board of Governors, which is composed of elected Governors in chapters and regions of the United States. 91ºÚÁÏÍø has international chapters in Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Caribbean, Central America, Chile, Colombia, India, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela.
91ºÚÁÏÍø is a founding member of the Council of Medical Subspecialty Societies, which represents 50 subspecialty societies and internal medicine organizations. 91ºÚÁÏÍø also engages in multiple collaborations on a range of topics and is represented by a large delegation to the American Medical Association.
Officer and Staff Spokespersons
| 2024-25 President | Isaac O Opole, MBChB, PhD, M91ºÚÁÏÍø, Kansas City, KS |
| 2024-25 Chair, Board of Regents | William E Fox, MD, M91ºÚÁÏÍø, Charlottesville, VA |
| President-elect* | TBD |
| Chair-elect, Board of Regents* | Rebecca A Andrews, MD, F91ºÚÁÏÍø, Farmington, CT |
| Executive Vice President and CEO | Darilyn V. Moyer, MD, M91ºÚÁÏÍø, Philadelphia, PA |
* to take office as 2025-26 President and Chair, Board of Regents, April 7, 2025.