Do Schools Like an Interest in Primary Care?

[SunDevilDoc]

I know that with the apparent deficit of primary care doctors, are we encouraged to decide to go that route instead of specializing? And do med schools look favorably on prospects who demonstrate an interest in it?

With all this talk about how dreadful specializing is (80hrs/wk +on call etc...) I'm thinking about primary care when I hadn't before.

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[NickNaylor]

I don't think it really matters. I don't think most people will take you seriously when you say, "I want to specialize in X" when you haven't even been accepted.

Even if it did matter, it would vary from school to school. Schools that are research heavy would probably prefer some sort of specialization as you would be more familiar with a particular topic of interest.

Ultimately, though, I doubt it matters for the majority of schools.

Edit: "80 hours/week + on call" is required of all residents, including primary care. It may not be as intense as some of the other specialties, but it's still going to be intense.

 

[SunDevilDoc]

I understand that all residencies are pretty much the same, but I was talking about the conditions after residency when you are in your actual career.

 

[CyclistOK]

I don't think it really matters. I don't think most people will take you seriously when you say, "I want to specialize in X" when you haven't even been accepted.

Even if it did matter, it would vary from school to school. Schools that are research heavy would probably prefer some sort of specialization as you would be more familiar with a particular topic of interest.

Ultimately, though, I doubt it matters for the majority of schools.

Edit: "80 hours/week + on call" is required of all residents, including primary care. It may not be as intense as some of the other specialties, but it's still going to be intense.

Actually there are several schools with a stated interest in training primary care physicians. UW, and OHSU are the first that come to mind. For these schools it does matter, your best bet is to check the mission statement of the schools and apply to ones that fit your interest.

 

[dw2158]

i would guess that some schools would like it, some schools wouldn't (research heavy schools) and most won't care. because it's not like you're committing to be a PCP-- just expressing interest. they'll probably care more about the reasons behind your interest.

 

[scotsdoc54]

I hope so considering that's what I'm interested in!

Like others, I'm sure at most schools it doesn't matter, some schools love it, and others prefer a more academic/research oriented career that caters to supspecialists.

 

[amakhosidlo]

I know that with the apparent deficit of primary care doctors, are we encouraged to decide to go that route instead of specializing? And do med schools look favorably on prospects who demonstrate an interest in it?

With all this talk about how dreadful specializing is (80hrs/wk +on call etc...) I'm thinking about primary care when I hadn't before.

Not if you don't actually have one. Seriously, I think it's probably one of the easiest lines to see through (esp. for big-time primary care schools)

If you haven't shadowed, researched, or volunteered in a PC setting, don't go on about your passion for it.

 

[DrYoda]

With all this talk about how dreadful specializing is (80hrs/wk +on call etc...) I'm thinking about primary care when I hadn't before.

Primary care doesn't mean cush hours. It can if you set up your practice so, but the dreadful(lol wut?) specialities are at the moment the easier route to a cush lifestyle (more $$$/hour).

 

[ion]

I know that with the apparent deficit of primary care doctors, are we encouraged to decide to go that route instead of specializing? And do med schools look favorably on prospects who demonstrate an interest in it?

Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine is ranked #7 in the US for primary care (US News Rankings), so I would imagine that they, and perhaps other D.O. schools (but do confirm this) would encourage primary care