Dr. Mohamad Moughrabieh, MD, Internal Medicine | Memphis, TN | WebMD (2024)

FAQs

Why is internal med so hard? ›

This specialty often requires a holistic approach to patient management, considering the psychological, social, and physiological aspects of a patient's health. This inherent complexity and the need for personalized patient care add another layer of difficulty to the specialty.

According to the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), in 2020, the median annual compensation for primary care physicians (such as family doctors, internists, and pediatricians) was around $242,000. For specialists, the median annual compensation was higher, with an average of $450,000.

An internist is a doctor of internal medicine. They're doctors who specialize in the internal organs and systems of the body, but they are not limited to those areas. They can also give preventive care and treat anything from skin rashes to ear infections.

Neurosurgery is often considered one of the most demanding and competitive specialties in medicine. This field involves the surgical treatment of conditions affecting the brain, spine, and nervous system. Neurosurgeons may treat everything from brain tumors and aneurysms to spinal cord injuries and congenital defects.

In internal medicine, one of the most daunting challenges is diagnosing complex cases involving multi-system diseases. These conditions often present with a myriad of symptoms that can mimic other illnesses, making it difficult for physicians to pinpoint the root cause.

Number one on the list of lowest-paid specialties, pediatric endocrinologists earn $218,266 annually. As a point of comparison, endocrinology for adults is also one of the 15 lowest-paid specialties, with an average salary of $276,548.

The average annual salary for all physicians is $352,000, according to an April 2023 report from Medscape. Washington is the highest paid state in the U.S. for internal medicine physicians with a mean annual salary of $234,956, according to ZipRecruiter.

Internal medicine physicians have a patient-centric approach that helps patients cut through the complexities of the health care system to ensure that they receive high-quality care. At the community level, they can help connect patients with resources, information, and services.

“Both family medicine and internal medicine are primary care specialties,” he says. “Family physicians treat patients of all ages, from birth to death, and internal medicine doctors treat adults, 18 years or older.”