career path

[azq]

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Do you think IM has a better career path than FP? I really like FP and I don’t want to sub specialize either, but my concern is FP may be somewhat scary to make a living. I am saying this because as an FP you have many options but the easiest one is either opening your own practice or work for an established practice. Opening a practice or work for an opened practice is the same thing as any other business and you have to compete with other practices in order to get patient supply. At the same time, most patents preferred to go directly to a specialist instead of a FP. Again, the specialists also want to keep that patent instead of letting the patient to go back to an FP. The other challenge is nurse practitioners and PA’s are another competent to a FP beside specialists.
Whereas if you are an IM doc, you have the options to work as a FP and see adult only and if that can not work you can work to a hospitals as a hospitalist and stop worrying patient supply. At the same time you can do fellowship as a last resort. Off course an FP can also work as hospitalist but this happen only in rural areas most often as there are enough internists in urban areas?
I am just tempted between IM vs. FP and I would greatly appreciate any input
Thanks

 

[mx_599]

calm down!

I just read your post and now I have a headache.

thanks

 

[deleted87716]

Read the FAQ.

 

[Shinken]

Do you think IM has a better career path than FP?

No. It depends on what you want with your career. If it's about money, then the discussion is pointless because both groups make roughly the same amount of money.

but my concern is FP may be somewhat scary to make a living...Opening a practice or work for an opened practice is the same thing as any other business and you have to compete with other practices in order to get patient supply.

IM doctors in practice also have to compete with other practices in the area for patient supply, not just FM docs.

Again, the specialists also want to keep that patent instead of letting the patient to go back to an FP.

Unlikely that the patient I send to the GI doctor for a colonoscopy wants to keep that patient and manage her brittle diabetes, hypertension and anxiety, plus counsel her on obesity and nutrition, plus remove her skin tags. Every patient I refer comes back to me.

Whereas if you are an IM doc, you have the options to work as a FP and see adult only and if that can not work you can work to a hospitals as a hospitalist and stop worrying patient supply.

True, however this is an advantage if you enjoy hospitalist work. Some of us (myself included) would never do it.

At the same time you can do fellowship as a last resort.

I don't understand what you mean by "last resort"? It sounds almost as if you think that you'll be in practice as an IM doc and then if you have trouble getting patients then as a "last resort" you'll do a fellowship? You have to apply to a fellowship during your second year of residency training.

Also, don't overuse the bold feature. You can tell it's annoying some of us.