The Declining Number and Variety of Procedures Done by General Internists: A Resurvey of Members of the American College of Physicians

A survey of members of the American College of Physicians (ACP) in 1986 found that general internists did a large number and variety of procedures, but the practice of general internal medicine has changed and technological change has made some procedures unnecessary and changed the way in which others are done.

Abstract

Both the number and variety of procedures done by general internists have decreased considerably since 1986. As in the 1986 survey, general internists who practice in smaller cities and smaller hospitals and those who spend more hours in patient care perform more procedures. Recommendations and practices for internal medicine residency training in procedures should be reexamined in light of these changes.