Eric Larson, MD,MPH 2

"Breadth and Depth

Although breadth and depth are general internal medicine’s
distinguishing features, individual practitioners find
them its greatest challenge because they are relative and
vary by setting. The current notion of a well-rounded generalist
physician who can care independently for all types of
patients, referring only a small fraction of cases to specialists,
seems obsolete. Instead, we must devise creative ways
to manage patients jointly with subspecialists to
provide the best quality. Ultimately, general internists
must choose which areas to master and where to maintain
breadth, not depth."

Larson, E Annals of Internal Medicine, 2004