An Internist is a physician who diagnoses and provide non-surgical treatment of diseases and injuries of internal organ systems. Internists provide care mainly for adults who have a wide range of problems associated with the internal organs.
Because they treat a broad range of problems they are usually the doctor that adults see as their primary physicians. Internists also work with patients to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle and prevent disease. They often treat conditions such as common colds and the flu, but also treat chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.