Can an ophtamologist also work as a general practitioner?

[chury]

Can an ophtamologist also work as a general practitioner? Is one allowed to practice a general medicine as well and, if not, what is the requirement?

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[Hedwig]

A general practitioner is a physician who's completed one year of postgraduate training to get his/her medical license. As long as you have a medical license you can practice as a GP on the side, regardless of your specialty.

Legally, there's nothing that prevents you from doing what you propose. Logistically--time constraints as an ophthalmologist, for example--it's another story.

 

[chury]

I would like NOT to forget the rest of medicine if I choose to become an OMD.

 

[LR6SO4]

chury,
I see your point about not wanting to forget medicine while in ophtho, but I think you would be surprised about how much medicine works its way into ophtho and ocular defects. Even in the most rural of rural areas I haven't seen an ophtho practicing 'general' medicine. Pretty much restrict themselves to the eye, and even in rural areas it is pretty specialized eye care at that. It seems that optometrists have spread themselves out so that even when ophthos are few and far between in some rural areas, there are OD's in just about every small town doing primary eye care stuff. I understand your outlook, but it probably will change with time. If it doesn't, don't count out a primary care specialty. Family practice docs can take on a bit of outpatient general ocular (medical) problems. If being a generalist is what you want it is a noble field and needs some more good practitioners!

 

[navs]

I just wanted to add, just because u are LEGALLY allowed to work as a GP doesn't mean u will be very successful. No matter how small the town is (anywhere u have an opthal. u will have IM or FP docs) who in there right mind would go to a opthal. as a family doc?? No layman is that lay!!

Why not just go to a radio or anesth guy then??

I do understand ur fear of being so one dimensional in practice, but that is what all of us specialty people have to do. For ex: Radio, anesth, etc.

Good luck

 

[medstud721]

An ophthalmologist is a surgical subspecialist.

They are legally liscenced to practice general medicine as well as ophthalmology. However, it's not common for specialists to play the role of a GP unless working in the local ER(moonlighting) as an ER doc for some extra cash during residency.
In the real world, you will make less money if you spend alot of time practicing general medicine if you are a specialist.

 

[Billie]

In my rural area, there is an anesth. who is also a Family Med doc too. He also takes care of some critical ICU cases as well. He does a bit of everything. How did he get this way, I don't know. But he is consulted by many of the docs in my rural area.

 

[edmadison]

The other problem with being a "GP" is that you will be unlikely to find a hospital that will give you privs unless you are board certified or eligable in IM or FP. You probably could work in an accute care clinic or a college student health department

Ed