Why the NHS needs adult generalists: A call for single certification in general internal medicine

Future Healthc J. 2024 Oct 21;11(4):100197. doi: 10.1016/j.fhj.2024.100197. eCollection 2024 Dec.

Abstract

As the UK NHS faces growing challenges of the ageing population and escalating healthcare costs, we examine the role of the general internal medicine (GIM) consultant in inpatient medicine. We argue that the reintroduction of GIM could provide a sustainable and valuable contribution to high-quality, cost-effective inpatient care drawing on parallels from the GIM hospitalist model in the USA. Additionally, GIM expansion could contribute to improved outcomes for complex medical patients and surgical patients, as well as safety and quality initiatives.

Keywords: Generalism; Internal medicine; Training; Workforce.