residency08
Forum Junior
Topics: 11
Posts: 56
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Hi guys,
Could you plz help me in better understanding of FM vs IM, pros and cons. I would really appreciate any input in this regard.
Thanks
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| zrf80
Forum Elite
Topics: 40
Posts: 236
| | 10/13/07 - 10:47 PM
2 of 2 forum leaders found this post helpful
| #2 |
Ohhhh, good topic. I hope a lot of people respond to this one.
I, personally, have applied to both programs.
From my understanding, FP touches more aspects of medicine. You get a better educational backgrounds from Peds and Ob/Gyn. The focus is moreso on OUTPATIENT treatment eg office job, although from what Ive read......you're better prepared to function as a HOSPITALIST (mostly IMs take this position). The fellowships are LESS than in IM, which popularity in Sports Medicine and Geriatrics. The pay is comparable, although less, to internists in the field. Most family physicians go on to primary care........
IM focuses more on the adult population. The extremes of ages are usually cut off, although a good internist may see his/her senior patients well into old age. The focus, during training, is more for INPATIENT care, although PRIMARY TRACT (see below) takes more of an OUTPATIENT route. The good thing about IM (aside from a more focused patient populaton based on age) is the fellowship opportunities. About 60% of students in the IM tract go on to specialize in the various fields. Pay is a little more than FP, usually averaging in at 140-160K (depending on area). Internists have more options for post-residency career choices. Primary care, specialty, hospitalist, attending, and/or educational routes are just a few of your options.
PRIMARY CARE is another field of IM that focuses on the same educational training founded for FP, except you do less Peds/OB-GYN. But dont let this fool you, cause fellowship opportunities are the SAME as found in IM when it comes to Primary Care.
JOB OUTLOOKS: Both fields are thriving. FP expects a shortage of physicians in the next 10 years, so most programs are looking to "grab" potential applicants. Some programs even offer SIGNING BONUSES to entice future residents. IM still settles in as the hallmark of all residency programs. Most students go into and apply for IM, and the countless opportunities post-residency still make it a favorite in this country. In terms of PROCEDURES, both residency programs give you ample opportunity to have "hands-on" experience with various procedures, but MORESO in FP. And remember........you get rewarded MUCH MUCH MORE if you do procedures than for consultation.
My advice: If you want to work in an office setting, Id prefer FP. You'll have a higher patient load of ALL ages, plus you get the chance to give long term care to your pts. If you want to specialize, pick IM. More opportunities available.
If money is the issue.........then I advise you to join the next boy band. The Backstreet boys are looking for a 6th member, and you'll make your millions on the stage.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE people add to this thread. It will make things clearer for a lot of us.
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| prueba
Forum Guru
Topics: 56
Posts: 695
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great post zrf80... I believe you do more procedures in IM, though.
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| residency08
Forum Junior
Topics: 11
Posts: 56
|
Hey zrf80,
Thanks a lot for this useful information. I would like to know if you are given the choice to choose between IM and FM , what would you go for and why?
FM vs IM has been a question mark for most of the IMGs I know of.
I would personally like to go for FM for the reasons
1. varied patient population ( the whole family comes to see you )
2. Less work load as compared to IM ( this is what I have heard, corrections are welcome)
3. Office set up ( as zrf80 mentioned )
The only drawback I can think of for FM is limited fellowship opportunity.
I would really like and request people out there in forum to contribute to this thread to make this issue clear.
Regards
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| GOGETA
I'm Dr. GOGETA
Topics: 321
Posts: 2,710
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1-FM work more an get pay less
2- FM needs to be in top of more area than IM
3- IM= you get paid more and do less than a FM and if you just want to get paid more or bored yourself to dead then you do a specialty.
4- 80% of Sport medicine MD work as FM, only 20% work fulltime as a sport medicine doc.
5-Lately some hospitals prefer FM for ER, because of the vast things they know in all areas.
6- If I had to select I will go with the one that offers me the residency position
___________________
As a general rule, the better it felt when you said it, the more trouble it's going to get you into.
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| mph
Forum Elite
Topics: 19
Posts: 341
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residency08 wrote:
The only drawback I can think of for FM is limited fellowship opportunity.
They do have subspecialty, but these r the ones less profitable, like Geriatrics, Sports Med, GYN/OBS care, and Palliative care.
As the US government is changing policy and we dont know who's gonna be the next President of this country, it's hard to say whether or not Family Practice is a corpse yet. Maybe it will be socialized???
Back to the 1960s, who wants to be a radiologist, R/T, or dermatologist?
I would suggest to follow ur own interest, as every specialty has a chance to become a big one throughout your life.
During 1930s, Family Practice and Psychiatry were the most competitive disciplines. Every one in Harvard wanted to apply for these 2.
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| residency08
Forum Junior
Topics: 11
Posts: 56
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Thanks mph for your input.
I think that rest of the forum members should also post their comments on FM vs IM , as a lot of people out there have applied in both specialities and at one point or the other they'll have to think about it hard , so why not now ...
Thanks
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| zrf80
Forum Elite
Topics: 40
Posts: 236
|
residency08 wrote:
Hey zrf80,
Thanks a lot for this useful information. I would like to know if you are given the choice to choose between IM and FM , what would you go for and why?
FM vs IM has been a question mark for most of the IMGs I know of.
I would personally like to go for FM for the reasons
1. varied patient population ( the whole family comes to see you )
2. Less work load as compared to IM ( this is what I have heard, corrections are welcome)
3. Office set up ( as zrf80 mentioned )
The only drawback I can think of for FM is limited fellowship opportunity.
I would really like and request people out there in forum to contribute to this thread to make this issue clear.
Regards
Im mixed. To be quite honest, currently I am HIGHLY interested in becoming a hospitalist post-residency. Although FM docs can do this, it is more prevalent after IM residency. For that reason, I prefer IM. But I LOVE that FP touches more aspects of medicine, and I dont mind it.
My dilemma, and someone can correct me if Im wrong: I feel that FP doctors can answers more questions regarding medical issues dealing with ALL ages, including Peds and Geriatrics. Whereas IM is soeley focused on the adult population.
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| zrf80
Forum Elite
Topics: 40
Posts: 236
|
residency08 wrote:
Hey zrf80,
Thanks a lot for this useful information. I would like to know if you are given the choice to choose between IM and FM , what would you go for and why?
FM vs IM has been a question mark for most of the IMGs I know of.
I would personally like to go for FM for the reasons
1. varied patient population ( the whole family comes to see you )
2. Less work load as compared to IM ( this is what I have heard, corrections are welcome)
3. Office set up ( as zrf80 mentioned )
The only drawback I can think of for FM is limited fellowship opportunity.
I would really like and request people out there in forum to contribute to this thread to make this issue clear.
Regards
Im mixed. To be quite honest, currently I am HIGHLY interested in becoming a hospitalist post-residency. Although FM docs can do this, it is more prevalent after IM residency. For that reason, I prefer IM. But I LOVE that FP touches more aspects of medicine, and I dont mind it.
My dilemma, and someone can correct me if Im wrong: I feel that FP doctors can answers more questions regarding medical issues dealing with ALL ages, including Peds and Geriatrics. Whereas IM is soeley focused on the adult population.
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