I really liked the UCSF primary care program but I'm not a 100% certain I want to go into primary care. The PD says he's willing to be supportive if a resident changes his/her mind and decided to specialize and every year a couple of residents go on to specialize.

I also liked some categorical programs (BID, UCD, etc.)

The question: I've heard that you are slightly less competitive for fellowships if you go the PC route. Would the UCSF name cancel out the fact that it was a PC program or would I be better off in a categorical program at a less highly-ranked school?

Opinions?

if you are interested in a big name competitive fellowship or a procedure intensive specialty, you are better off in a categorical program.

while it is true that some PC residents at UCSF choose to do a fellowship, their placement is not that impressive. but then again, it is a PC program...and putting people into fellowships is not their goal.

fellowship directors know the difference between categorical and PC programs when you apply for fellowship and you will definitely be a stronger candidate for a fellowship from BID or UCD's categorical program.


I really liked the UCSF primary care program but I'm not a 100% certain I want to go into primary care. The PD says he's willing to be supportive if a resident changes his/her mind and decided to specialize and every year a couple of residents go on to specialize.

I also liked some categorical programs (BID, UCD, etc.)

The question: I've heard that you are slightly less competitive for fellowships if you go the PC route. Would the UCSF name cancel out the fact that it was a PC program or would I be better off in a categorical program at a less highly-ranked school?

Opinions?

I am in a similar position. The primary care program is one of my top choices even though I am interested in a traditional fellowship. I feel comfortable with this decision because you still get the same inpatient training as the categoricals and have access to the faculty for research, although you more directly focus on training as a general internist.

In addition, it sounds like the primary care program is becoming more closely linked to the categorical program with all of the internal medicine programs under the general leadership of the categorical program director.

Anyone else with positive/negative feedback about this program?

It's true that intern year is exactly the same as for the categoricals but things diverge significantly for second and third year. One concern I've heard from other people who are considering UCSF-PC but not sure about PC is the logistics of doing the necessary electives/reserach for a fellowship while meeting the PC requirements for ambulatory care experience.