Is Internal Medicine in a Cyclical Downturn?

The author reflects on the status of internal medicine in the U.S. He expresses his concern about the hiring of internists as primary care providers by two medical groups in California. He states that no internist today is likely to practice under the rubric of internal medicine and diagnostics as was once the case. He asserts that there is general acceptance that good internists improve quality and help control the ultimate cost of medical care.