Family practice education East vs. West?

[akbreezo]

I am looking to start an FNP or PA program shortly and was recently having a conversation with a couple of MD friends of mine about it. They both said that west coast schools are better for family practice education rather than east coast. They both thought it was likely the result of population densities and the need of specialists vs. generalists in less populated/more rural areas. I'm curious if anyone has thoughts on this.

Thanks!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[VenturaResident]

The overall feel of west coast and east coast programs for family medicine physicians may be different, but that's a broad generality and there is lots of variation within each region. However, that's for physicians. If you are not planning to go to medical school and thus to residency, why are you posting in the Family Medicine Residency forum? If you want a broader scope of practice, your issue isn't going to be east coast vs west coast, it's going to be going to midlevel school vs going to medical school.

 

[primadonna22274]

Agree with Ventura. I went to PA school in the great NW and later med school in the less great NE. I am an intern in a very good unopposed SE FM program and am getting outstanding training. Part of this is that folks in the Stroke Belt are SICK and poor which goes hand-in-hand. After training here I am confident I can work anywhere and manage almost anyone who presents wherever I end up working. It helps that we don't compete with other residents for patients in my hospital, but we also benefit from working directly with multispecialty attendings who for the most part are willing to teach.
Your question really doesn't speak to whether you are a good fit to me a PA or NP. Both are worthwhile but very different training programs with different prerequisites and different outcomes.