doctors in this specialty are trained to recognize and treat a variety of different conditions involving the internal organs. they have wide knowledge in a number of specialties including, but not limited to: respirology, nephrology, gastroenterology, cardiology. doctors who practice broadly in this field are known as general internists (or general internal medicine doctors). internists can go to receive further training beyond residency in a particular field. for example, gastroenterologists are internists that have chosen to specialize in gi medicine. internal medicine doctors are in charge of inpatient units when patients are admitted for a general reason. unlike family doctors and emergency doctors, although their training is diverse and they have broad knowledge in many organ systems, they do not treat or manage children, babies, or pregnant women. (those patients are instead cared for by pediatricians and obstetrics/gynecology, respectively.)