Internal Medicine residency programs aren’t the most competitive residencies but year after year they remain the most popular by a wide margin. And for good reason: Internists are perpetually in demand and enjoy a career oriented around the prevention and treatment of a wide variety of diseases. They’re in many ways pillars of their community, working in tandem with family physicians to diagnose and treat adults over long periods of time. Despite this overlap though, Internal Medicine residency programs differ widely in focus and training compared to those of family medicine residency. In this guide, we’ll go over the basics of Internal Medicine residency in the US and Canada, and provide tips on how to strengthen your application materials to match well when the big day arrives.