GITNUXREPORT 2025

Internal Statistics

Internal medicine handles 20% of US doctor visits, facing burnout and growth.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The median annual salary for internal medicine physicians in the U.S. is around USD 236,000

Statistic 2

58% of internists report that rising healthcare costs influence their clinical decision-making

Statistic 3

The global internal medicine market size was valued at USD 3.2 billion in 2020

Statistic 4

The top three subspecialties within internal medicine are cardiology, endocrinology, and gastroenterology

Statistic 5

Internal medicine physicians are increasingly adopting telemedicine; usage increased by 35% during the COVID-19 pandemic

Statistic 6

The use of artificial intelligence tools in internal medicine diagnostics has increased by over 250% in recent years

Statistic 7

The demand for internal medicine physicians is projected to grow by 7% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations

Statistic 8

Internal medicine is ranked among the top 10 medical specialties in patient volume

Statistic 9

The number of internal medicine hospitals and clinics in the U.S. exceeds 1,200 facilities

Statistic 10

There are approximately 290,000 practicing internal medicine physicians in the United States

Statistic 11

Teleconsultations with internal medicine physicians increased by over 40% during the COVID-19 pandemic

Statistic 12

Internal medicine continues to see high demand in rural areas, with some rural counties experiencing a physician shortage of over 50%

Statistic 13

The use of point-of-care testing devices in internal medicine clinics increased by 45% over the past three years

Statistic 14

Internal medicine specialists are increasingly involved in population health management, with over 50% participating in quality improvement initiatives

Statistic 15

The financial growth rate of internal medicine practices is approximately 3% annually, driven by increased demand and healthcare reforms

Statistic 16

Internal medicine accounts for approximately 20% of all physician visits in the United States

Statistic 17

15% of internal medicine patients have at least three chronic conditions

Statistic 18

The incidence of hypertension managed primarily by internists is estimated at 30% of adult patients

Statistic 19

The internal medicine patient satisfaction score averages 4.2 out of 5

Statistic 20

The average wait time for an appointment with an internist in urban areas is approximately 10 days

Statistic 21

Nearly 75% of internal medicine patients have health literacy levels below the recommended standard, impacting treatment adherence

Statistic 22

The most common comorbidities managed by internists include diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia

Statistic 23

The overall patient retention rate in internal medicine practices is approximately 85%

Statistic 24

The top three patient concerns reported in internal medicine clinics are hypertension management, diabetes control, and mental health issues

Statistic 25

The average number of annual patient visits per internist is about 900, reflecting high patient load

Statistic 26

The top reasons patients seek internal medicine services include preventative health, chronic disease management, and acute illness treatment

Statistic 27

In the U.S., approximately 70% of internal medicine physicians are board-certified

Statistic 28

The average age of internal medicine physicians in the U.S. is 50 years old

Statistic 29

Internal medicine doctors typically complete 3 years of residency training after medical school

Statistic 30

Over 60% of internal medicine physicians report burnout

Statistic 31

The proportion of women in internal medicine has increased to about 40% in the last decade

Statistic 32

The number of internal medicine residency programs in the U.S. is over 300

Statistic 33

The top five states with the highest density of internal medicine physicians per 100,000 population are Massachusetts, Maryland, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York

Statistic 34

Internists spend approximately 20% of their clinical time on preventive care activities

Statistic 35

The number of internal medicine specialists in Europe is estimated at around 50,000

Statistic 36

Internal medicine practitioners with less than 5 years of experience tend to have higher patient volumes than those with over 20 years

Statistic 37

Internal medicine residents work an average of 60-70 hours per week during training

Statistic 38

Approximately 12% of internal medicine residents pursue fellowship training in a subspecialty immediately after residency

Statistic 39

The median age of internal medicine residents is 29 years

Statistic 40

The proportion of internal medicine physicians accepting new Medicare patients is over 70%

Statistic 41

Approximately 30% of internal medicine physicians have adopted mobile health (mHealth) applications to monitor and communicate with patients

Statistic 42

The average age of internal medicine physicians who have adopted telemedicine is 48 years, indicating high acceptance among experienced doctors

Statistic 43

The percentage of internal medicine residency graduates practicing in underserved areas is approximately 25%

Statistic 44

Internists spend about 35% of their clinical time on diagnostic decision-making

Statistic 45

The percentage of internists who participate in research activities is approximately 15%, indicating a strong focus on clinical practice over research

Statistic 46

Nearly 85% of internists report having received training in cultural competency to improve patient communication

Statistic 47

Approximately 25% of internal medicine physicians practice as hospitalists

Statistic 48

The average consultation time for internal medicine physicians is approximately 15 minutes per patient

Statistic 49

The majority of internal medicine physicians are employed by hospitals or healthcare systems, accounting for approximately 55%

Statistic 50

The percentage of internal medicine physicians opting for outpatient-only practices is around 35%

Statistic 51

65% of internists report that electronic health records have improved care coordination

Statistic 52

Approximately 10% of internal medicine practices operate under solo practice models

Statistic 53

The top three reasons for leaving internal medicine practice include burnout, administrative burden, and compensation concerns

Statistic 54

In a survey, 45% of internists reported their workload increased over the past five years

Statistic 55

The percentage of internists using electronic prescribing systems has reached 85%

Statistic 56

Internists spend roughly 30% of their work week on administrative duties such as documentation and billing

Statistic 57

Internists often coordinate care with specialists, with nearly 80% acting as the primary contact for complex patients

Statistic 58

The overall job satisfaction rate among internal medicine physicians averages around 75%, based on recent surveys

Statistic 59

The average size of an internal medicine outpatient practice is approximately 2.5 physicians

Statistic 60

Approximately 60% of internal medicine practices have incorporated team-based care models including nurse practitioners and physician assistants

Statistic 61

The proportion of internists working in urban healthcare facilities is approximately 80%, with rural coverage being about 20%

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Key Highlights

Internal medicine accounts for approximately 20% of all physician visits in the United States
The global internal medicine market size was valued at USD 3.2 billion in 2020
In the U.S., approximately 70% of internal medicine physicians are board-certified
The average age of internal medicine physicians in the U.S. is 50 years old
Internal medicine doctors typically complete 3 years of residency training after medical school
The top three subspecialties within internal medicine are cardiology, endocrinology, and gastroenterology
Approximately 25% of internal medicine physicians practice as hospitalists
The median annual salary for internal medicine physicians in the U.S. is around USD 236,000
Over 60% of internal medicine physicians report burnout
The proportion of women in internal medicine has increased to about 40% in the last decade
Internal medicine physicians are increasingly adopting telemedicine; usage increased by 35% during the COVID-19 pandemic
The average consultation time for internal medicine physicians is approximately 15 minutes per patient
15% of internal medicine patients have at least three chronic conditions

Did you know that internal medicine accounts for nearly 20% of all physician visits in the U.S., with over 290,000 practicing internists and a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by burnout challenges, technological advancements, and increasing patient complexity?

Financial and Revenue Insights

The median annual salary for internal medicine physicians in the U.S. is around USD 236,000
58% of internists report that rising healthcare costs influence their clinical decision-making

Financial and Revenue Insights Interpretation

With a median salary of $236,000, internists are navigating healthcare cost concerns that nearly 60% say shape their clinical choices—proving that even in medicine, money talks.

Market Size and Growth Trends

The global internal medicine market size was valued at USD 3.2 billion in 2020
The top three subspecialties within internal medicine are cardiology, endocrinology, and gastroenterology
Internal medicine physicians are increasingly adopting telemedicine; usage increased by 35% during the COVID-19 pandemic
The use of artificial intelligence tools in internal medicine diagnostics has increased by over 250% in recent years
The demand for internal medicine physicians is projected to grow by 7% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations
Internal medicine is ranked among the top 10 medical specialties in patient volume
The number of internal medicine hospitals and clinics in the U.S. exceeds 1,200 facilities
There are approximately 290,000 practicing internal medicine physicians in the United States
Teleconsultations with internal medicine physicians increased by over 40% during the COVID-19 pandemic
Internal medicine continues to see high demand in rural areas, with some rural counties experiencing a physician shortage of over 50%
The use of point-of-care testing devices in internal medicine clinics increased by 45% over the past three years
Internal medicine specialists are increasingly involved in population health management, with over 50% participating in quality improvement initiatives
The financial growth rate of internal medicine practices is approximately 3% annually, driven by increased demand and healthcare reforms

Market Size and Growth Trends Interpretation

While the internal medicine market, valued at $3.2 billion in 2020, is embracing innovative tools like AI and telemedicine—experiences heightened during the pandemic—the steady physician demand and rising patient volumes, especially in underserved rural areas, signal that internal medicine remains the backbone of comprehensive healthcare, balancing high-tech advances with traditional patient care.

Patient Demographics and Behavior

Internal medicine accounts for approximately 20% of all physician visits in the United States
15% of internal medicine patients have at least three chronic conditions
The incidence of hypertension managed primarily by internists is estimated at 30% of adult patients
The internal medicine patient satisfaction score averages 4.2 out of 5
The average wait time for an appointment with an internist in urban areas is approximately 10 days
Nearly 75% of internal medicine patients have health literacy levels below the recommended standard, impacting treatment adherence
The most common comorbidities managed by internists include diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia
The overall patient retention rate in internal medicine practices is approximately 85%
The top three patient concerns reported in internal medicine clinics are hypertension management, diabetes control, and mental health issues
The average number of annual patient visits per internist is about 900, reflecting high patient load
The top reasons patients seek internal medicine services include preventative health, chronic disease management, and acute illness treatment

Patient Demographics and Behavior Interpretation

Despite internal medicine's significant role with high patient satisfaction and retention, the heavy caseload, lengthy wait times, and pervasive health literacy gaps underscore the urgent need for systemic improvements to better serve a complex and growing patient population.

Physician Demographics and Education

In the U.S., approximately 70% of internal medicine physicians are board-certified
The average age of internal medicine physicians in the U.S. is 50 years old
Internal medicine doctors typically complete 3 years of residency training after medical school
Over 60% of internal medicine physicians report burnout
The proportion of women in internal medicine has increased to about 40% in the last decade
The number of internal medicine residency programs in the U.S. is over 300
The top five states with the highest density of internal medicine physicians per 100,000 population are Massachusetts, Maryland, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York
Internists spend approximately 20% of their clinical time on preventive care activities
The number of internal medicine specialists in Europe is estimated at around 50,000
Internal medicine practitioners with less than 5 years of experience tend to have higher patient volumes than those with over 20 years
Internal medicine residents work an average of 60-70 hours per week during training
Approximately 12% of internal medicine residents pursue fellowship training in a subspecialty immediately after residency
The median age of internal medicine residents is 29 years
The proportion of internal medicine physicians accepting new Medicare patients is over 70%
Approximately 30% of internal medicine physicians have adopted mobile health (mHealth) applications to monitor and communicate with patients
The average age of internal medicine physicians who have adopted telemedicine is 48 years, indicating high acceptance among experienced doctors
The percentage of internal medicine residency graduates practicing in underserved areas is approximately 25%
Internists spend about 35% of their clinical time on diagnostic decision-making
The percentage of internists who participate in research activities is approximately 15%, indicating a strong focus on clinical practice over research
Nearly 85% of internists report having received training in cultural competency to improve patient communication

Physician Demographics and Education Interpretation

With a median age of 50 and burnout affecting over 60%, U.S. internal medicine is balancing the wisdom of seasoned physicians and the youthful vigor of residents, all while striving to keep up with technological adoption and a burgeoning female workforce—an aging yet increasingly diverse and digital-savvy front line in patient care.

Practice Settings and Employment Patterns

Approximately 25% of internal medicine physicians practice as hospitalists
The average consultation time for internal medicine physicians is approximately 15 minutes per patient
The majority of internal medicine physicians are employed by hospitals or healthcare systems, accounting for approximately 55%
The percentage of internal medicine physicians opting for outpatient-only practices is around 35%
65% of internists report that electronic health records have improved care coordination
Approximately 10% of internal medicine practices operate under solo practice models
The top three reasons for leaving internal medicine practice include burnout, administrative burden, and compensation concerns
In a survey, 45% of internists reported their workload increased over the past five years
The percentage of internists using electronic prescribing systems has reached 85%
Internists spend roughly 30% of their work week on administrative duties such as documentation and billing
Internists often coordinate care with specialists, with nearly 80% acting as the primary contact for complex patients
The overall job satisfaction rate among internal medicine physicians averages around 75%, based on recent surveys
The average size of an internal medicine outpatient practice is approximately 2.5 physicians
Approximately 60% of internal medicine practices have incorporated team-based care models including nurse practitioners and physician assistants
The proportion of internists working in urban healthcare facilities is approximately 80%, with rural coverage being about 20%

Practice Settings and Employment Patterns Interpretation

Internal medicine physicians navigate a complex landscape where only a quarter are hospitalists, consultations are brief at 15 minutes, and while most work within healthcare systems benefiting from EHRs, burnout, administrative burdens, and compensation concerns threaten the sustainability of a profession that balances collaborative team care and urban predominance with a steady—but cautious—sense of job satisfaction.