FM and Side Gigs

[ThePenguin21]

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Hey all,

I'm an MS-1 interested in FM. Part of the appeal is that I picture myself being active in the community where I will eventually practice, and FM *seems* like it's really the best specialty to sort of 'gauge the pulse of the community' and be a community leader. My question is what are some interesting "side gigs" that you or maybe your colleagues are doing that aren't necessarily medical-related? And are they because of your unique position as a FM physician or b/c you're just a boss? I'm thinking things like serving on the board of a soup kitchen, school district, art museum, hospital, bioethics committee, political office, think tank, etc. etc. Thanks for sharing!

 

[deleted87716]

I'm involved in committee activity within our group, volunteer at a local free clinic, and have been active with our state academy for several years (I'm a past-president). I'm particularly interested and involved in legislative issues. Most of my non-medical volunteer activities are church-related.

 

[Bacchus]

What about preventative med over FM? Get an MS in addition to your MD/DO in population health of epidemiology, etc.

A lot of health systems have a community health department.

Under the PPACA a community health needs assessment is mandated every three years and implementations need to be done. More to it than what I wrote, but a PM/CH doc would be perfect for the job.

 

[ThePenguin21]

What about preventative med over FM? Get an MS in addition to your MD/DO in population health of epidemiology, etc.

A lot of health systems have a community health department.

Under the PPACA a community health needs assessment is mandated every three years and implementations need to be done. More to it than what I wrote, but a PM/CH doc would be perfect for the job.

That's interesting. My only worry is that I wouldn't learn some of the clinical skills that I would in a good FM residency. Can preventative med or community health docs work in traditional outpatient settings alongside FM physicians? I really don't know much about the field, but it makes sense when I think about my interests.

@Blue Dog Do you feel that FM specifically allowed you to bring a unique perspective on legislative issues or transferable skills to the free clinic? Or would you still be doing those things if you were a hospitalist/orthopod/etc?

 

[Mcook123]

This is a very interesting question, but I think it's a little misplaced. I love family medicine and I think it allows you to explore myriad opportunities outside of Medicine. I don't think I would choose the specialty based on wanting to participate in community leadership, though. Physicians from all specialties are heavily involved in the community here. Surgeons, ENTs, IM, dermatology....I think community involvement is simply a personal choice you make regardless of specialty. FM is a great specialty (the best in my opinion), but doesn't give you more insight into the communities' "pulse." For example, a local podiatrist is the president of the Parent Teacher Association. In med school a local surgeon ran for state congress. One thing I have seen, though, that is somewhat unique to family medicine is involvement in sporting events. How connected you are will depend a lot on your patient population, as well. A local psychiatrist works at the county health department and is heavily involved in local soup kitchens, rehab centers, etc. Hope that helps!

 

[galactus]

i cover a lot of high school and college games, and from there I have met plenty of teachers, professors, athletic staff, and administrators, and security guards at the events. Great people to know and network.

 

[Bacchus]

That's interesting. My only worry is that I wouldn't learn some of the clinical skills that I would in a good FM residency. Can preventative med or community health docs work in traditional outpatient settings alongside FM physicians? I really don't know much about the field, but it makes sense when I think about my interests.

Prior to appointment in the program, residents must have successfully completed at least 12 months of clinical education in a residency program accredited by the ACGME, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Resident experience must include at least 11 months of direct patient care in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

http://www.acpm.org/?GME_MedStudents

So it sounds as if you do a pgy1 clinical medicine year and then the 2 year PM residency.

If you want to practice clinical medicine I'd avoid PM.

 

[deleted87716]

@Blue Dog Do you feel that FM specifically allowed you to bring a unique perspective on legislative issues or transferable skills to the free clinic? Or would you still be doing those things if you were a hospitalist/orthopod/etc?

I pretty much do the same things in the free clinic that I do in my practice, although the way it's set up at this particular clinic, I'm mainly doing urgent care when I'm there. There are relatively few specialists directly engaged in legislative issues. As an example, very few specialty associations in my state have their own lobbyists aside from those working for the state AMA chapter. FM, however, does.

 

[deleted87716]

If you want to practice clinical medicine I'd avoid PM.

Agree.

 

[Sea_Bass]

Hey all,

I'm an MS-1 interested in FM. Part of the appeal is that I picture myself being active in the community where I will eventually practice, and FM *seems* like it's really the best specialty to sort of 'gauge the pulse of the community' and be a community leader. My question is what are some interesting "side gigs" that you or maybe your colleagues are doing that aren't necessarily medical-related? And are they because of your unique position as a FM physician or b/c you're just a boss? I'm thinking things like serving on the board of a soup kitchen, school district, art museum, hospital, bioethics committee, political office, think tank, etc. etc. Thanks for sharing!

For the love of God, whatever you do, don't get roped into any sort of multilevel marketing (pyramid scheme) like Amway Global, Quickstar, or It Works!

One of my former classmates (now resident) is doing a FM residency and is spamming my facebook newsfeed with her It Works! products and bogus health claims. She's even roped a couple other residents into it and I wouldn't be surprised if she's giving sales pitches to patients. It's unbelievably tacky and obnoxious.

I don't mean to go off on a tangent, but your innocent use of the term "side gig" reminded me of her. She's always saying things like "Love my new side gig!" And subtly trying to get people to join her scam company. MLM is a cult. As doctors/future doctors, we should be smart enough to avoid it.