FP vs EM

[buddym]

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Hey guys! and ladies!

I am new to the forum. I am considering 2-3 specialties (rad, FP, EM). EM and FP seem the closest to each other. Did anyone here pick FP over EM and if so why?

 

[bmickelsen]

Hey guys! and ladies!

I am new to the forum. I am considering 2-3 specialties (rad, FP, EM). EM and FP seem the closest to each other. Did anyone here pick FP over EM and if so why?

I'm a third year medical student, and I had been planning on doing EM since I was 15, however last year I decided to go with FP.

I choose FP for the following reasons
-Variety: Both EM and FP have this
-Being able to set my own hours, be my own boss; EM has great hours, but you don't have alot of say in when those hours are. If my child has a game at 4:00 on Thursday I want to be able to there etc.
-Pt continuity: this is a huge one for me, the more I work with a pt the more I enjoy it
-OMT: I'm an osteopathic student, and really enjoy doing OMT, and FP provides a better place than the ED for OMT.
-preventitive medicine: I'm a big fan of preventing problems, and that's alot of what FP is about.
Well those are some of the main reasons for me

 

[thanks]

I too was considering these two and FP wins in the end for similar reasons as mentioned above.

Of you're that torn over it you can apply to one of the combo programs. I know there are a few DO fP/EM programs and the MD side has at least IM/ER - not sure if they have fp/er. Then you can have that to fall back on or and even follow up with your patients in your own office.

I spoke with 8 ER docs before making my decision and to make a long story short, the ones with families seemed to have a rough time with the scheduling. One guy started his own group and took care of that problem. The single guys had less problems with the schedule situation in ER. A couple wished they had gone through the combo programs just for a change of pace/burnout.

Good luck in your decision.

.

 

[DocWagner]

I congratulate you guys on choosing FP, we need good FP docs out there!
Other things to consider when choosing is call (no call in EM) and of course $ (alot more in EM).
Best of luck

 

[buddym]

Thanks for all the responses. Keep them coming!!
What is call like for FPs?? Don't most work in outpatient clinics, is there really alot of call? What kind of scheduling problems does EM have? I thought it was a lifestyle specialty?!?

 

[bmickelsen]

Thanks for all the responses. Keep them coming!!
What is call like for FPs?? Don't most work in outpatient clinics, is there really alot of call? What kind of scheduling problems does EM have? I thought it was a lifestyle specialty?!?

With EM you have shift work, and that what some people consider a downfall. So one week you might work nights the next week, days, etc.

The call for FP really varies. Some FPs don't have any call because they don't do OB, and they work with a hospital that has Hospitalists.

If you are not at a hospital that has hospitalists then your call schedule will depend upon how many other doctors you are sharing call with. So It could be everyday if you are the only show in town, or it could be every 5 days if you are sharing call with 4 other doctors.

Hope that helps

 

[buddym]

Another quick question:

When a FP gets out of residency and takes a position at a outpatient clinic, like Ochsner or something, is the FP responsible for building his own patient base or does the clinic send patients to the FP? Is there a set income with most positions or do FP usually get paid by the number of patients that they see? Ok, that is two more questions, but thanks. 🙂

 

[RAM D.O.]

You can have standard schedules without call in family medicine also. I'm going to be doing urgent care and the hours are regular as they are for EM. The income is also compatible (250-300K). This may not be the norm but my family has owned and operated 5 urgent care centers in the Atlanta area since the early 1980's. The income schedule of the employed physicians is based on a percentage of gross billing (not collected). The clinics have a collection rate that ranges between 90-93% which is alot better than many of the clinics I've rotated through over the last few years. I'm also training at a Level II trauma center where most of the ER docs are family docs by training (70%) with the majority of those graduating from my program. One of the guys from the class that just graduated will make 265K this year which isn't too bad. Maybe not as good as Ethan's future income once he finishes, but also better than some that are taking positions for 140-150K and Q4-5 call. Like I mentioned in a post elsewhere, the best way to make seroius money in FP is to take some risks and be your own boss.

 

[thanks]

I'd be interested in hearing how long it took your family to get those 5 clinics up and running to speed. Also, what do you think is the reason for their success? Is it business smarts, great personalities or what? There are a lot of urgent care centers not doing as hot and I wonder what the secret for yours is.

Also, if you don't mind me asking, what is your friend doing to start at 256K?

Thanks

 

[CambieMD]

I do not think that em and fp are all that similar. Im and fp have more in common than fp and em. Both im and fp are primary care specialties.
In Em you do not have continuity of care. The patient populations may be similar in that a lot of patients come to the ed for their primary care.
The basic design of the two specialties are worlds apart in many ways.


CambieMD

 

[buddym]

I do not think that em and fp are all that similar. Im and fp have more in common than fp and em. Both im and fp are primary care specialties.
In Em you do not have continuity of care. The patient populations may be similar in that a lot of patients come to the ed for their primary care.
The basic design of the two specialties are worlds apart in many ways.


CambieMD

Thanks everyone for all the replies! Keep the discussion going!

CambieMD, When I said that EM and FP were closest to each other, I meant between the three specialties that I have been considering (rads being the third). I do agree that there are some basic differences between the specialties. But, I believe that there are also some similarities in the lifestyles and practice. First, both deal with a wide variety of patients and conditions. Second, both offer a good amount of free time and allow you to earn as much or as little as you want (within reason). ANd third, both allow you a variety of practice environments (perhaps EM less so).

 

[bigdreamer#1]

can anyone provide a link to a site that lists all dual FP/EM programs, I believe they are all osteopathic? I've googled it for ever...damn.

Thanks

 

[raptor5]

http://opportunities.aoa-net.org/cfm/OpSearch.cfm

 

[bigdreamer#1]

Thanks Raptor! There seems to be Three only.

Does anyone know someone going to one of the three programs for FP/EM?

Pontiac-MI
Grandview-OH
St. B's -Bronx NY

Any one hear anything about how good of programs they are? Which might be the best one? Thanks!