HISTORY OF INTERNAL-MEDICINE

The concept of Internal Medicine was introduced recently and stems fro m the Internal Pathology which dates back to Antiquity. This concept s pread out during the XIXth century with the concomitant progress of cl inical science and heurism within a global and humanistic medicine. In France, Internal Medicine was not recognized until 1966. The criteria of eligibility for certification in this specialty were issued in 197 0. The Syndicat National des Medecins Specialistes de Medecine Interne , the Societe Nationale Francaise de Medecine Interne and the diploma of certification in Internal Medicine were respectively created in 197 5, 1979, 1984. The field of interest of Internal Medecine is wide and ambiguous. It includes a specific hard core and less specific allocati ons that encroach on ''organ'' specialties. French internist practitio ners are not numerous and most of them are practising in hospitals. In ternal Medecine is highly regarded in Anglo-Saxon countries and in Ger many. In the European Community, the future of this medical specialty depends on the success of the harmonization of training programs and t he development of medical students exchange. There is currently a cont roversy about the recognition of Internal Medecine as a full specialty . To bring out this specialty, French internists should benefit from r eforms at several levels: university, hospital and French health servi ce contract.