General Medicine is the department for patients who do not know which specialty they should consult. We regard any symptom for which the appropriate department is unclear as within our scope: symptoms that cannot be explained by a disease of a single organ, fever or abnormal test results of unknown cause, and patients with several problems at the same time. We see patients visiting The University of Osaka Hospital for the first time without a referral letter, patients referred to General Medicine, and, at the reception counter, patients who have a referral letter but for whom the appropriate department has not been decided.
At the first visit we take time for a thorough history and physical examination, and then proceed with the necessary tests to narrow down the diagnosis. When a diagnosis is reached and specialized treatment is needed, we refer the patient to the appropriate department in our hospital or back to the referring institution. When outpatient tests do not lead to a diagnosis, or when inpatient treatment is required, we admit patients to the ward of Geriatrics and Hypertension for further evaluation and treatment.