- Joined
- Aug 11, 2017
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Hey all,
I am a first year medical student, so I obviously have a lot to learn. But I have a question - Right now it seems like I have an interest in everything, I just think all aspects of medicine are awesome... from the physical exam, to medications, to seeing ppl get better, and to be a "face in the community" everyone trusts/ knows (I wanna live in a small town).
So before starting school I was working as a scribe for an orthopedist who told me about a PCP in the area that he had a good relationship with who referred him a lot of patients. I came to found out he was also a fully trained cardiologist but wanted to still work as a PCP.
I love this idea because since starting CardioPulm in Physio, I've found it to be the most fascinating thing I've learned thus far. Obviously I have a lot more to experience and know there may be other things I really like, but given I've scribed for ED physicians, an IM PCPs, and Orthopedists, I do really love the idea of being "someone's doctor". But, I'd also still love to be trained in a highly skilled area of medicine, as I think this would not only be good for business, but also just help keep me interested in medicine longer as I am someone who feeds on variety (Which is why I kinda didn't like Orthopedics, every complaint was either a knee or a shoulder).
Sorry to get side tracked - but my question is basically: Is it feasible to spend 3 additional years to become a cardiologist just to have it as a supplement to a PCP salary? Or does it not really matter because the money you can make doing additional cardiology things will off set the loss of financial income for 3 years of residency and 3 years of fellowship? Obviously some may think I'm crazy for even being okay with that, but honestly if I loved what I did anyways and wanna do it till I'm like 70... (I'm only 26 now)... I think the gains would eventually offset the time commitment to get it done.
But that of course leaves me with other lingering questions: Lets say I don't get into a Cardiology fellowship...It's not the worst thing in the world... but is there a way to bolster yourself as a candidate if you have aspirations like this? Would programs frown down upon this type of model? What are other options for IM docs who have goals to be Cardiologists but also want to retain generalist IM skillset - are there other pathways of proving yourself as a doctor then going back and applying to be a Cardiologist? Or is your application kind of restricted to all the things you did in school/residency?
I am a first year medical student, so I obviously have a lot to learn. But I have a question - Right now it seems like I have an interest in everything, I just think all aspects of medicine are awesome... from the physical exam, to medications, to seeing ppl get better, and to be a "face in the community" everyone trusts/ knows (I wanna live in a small town).
So before starting school I was working as a scribe for an orthopedist who told me about a PCP in the area that he had a good relationship with who referred him a lot of patients. I came to found out he was also a fully trained cardiologist but wanted to still work as a PCP.
I love this idea because since starting CardioPulm in Physio, I've found it to be the most fascinating thing I've learned thus far. Obviously I have a lot more to experience and know there may be other things I really like, but given I've scribed for ED physicians, an IM PCPs, and Orthopedists, I do really love the idea of being "someone's doctor". But, I'd also still love to be trained in a highly skilled area of medicine, as I think this would not only be good for business, but also just help keep me interested in medicine longer as I am someone who feeds on variety (Which is why I kinda didn't like Orthopedics, every complaint was either a knee or a shoulder).
Sorry to get side tracked - but my question is basically: Is it feasible to spend 3 additional years to become a cardiologist just to have it as a supplement to a PCP salary? Or does it not really matter because the money you can make doing additional cardiology things will off set the loss of financial income for 3 years of residency and 3 years of fellowship? Obviously some may think I'm crazy for even being okay with that, but honestly if I loved what I did anyways and wanna do it till I'm like 70... (I'm only 26 now)... I think the gains would eventually offset the time commitment to get it done.
But that of course leaves me with other lingering questions: Lets say I don't get into a Cardiology fellowship...It's not the worst thing in the world... but is there a way to bolster yourself as a candidate if you have aspirations like this? Would programs frown down upon this type of model? What are other options for IM docs who have goals to be Cardiologists but also want to retain generalist IM skillset - are there other pathways of proving yourself as a doctor then going back and applying to be a Cardiologist? Or is your application kind of restricted to all the things you did in school/residency?