Geropsych! Is it really worth it?

[richfen]

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I am in the process of really thinking whether doing a fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry is worth it. I know there is great big demand which is going to continue to grow, but I hear that you do not get paid because of the Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement (excluding nursing homes). Can anyone post what the average GeriPsych earns doing regular inpatient/outpatient work and what the pros and cons of going into this field.

 

[Chimed]

I've heard that, depending on the location, you can start at 10K higher with a gero-psych fellowship under your belt then without. I've also been told of some in priviate practice doing pretty well and making far above the average for a psychiatrist. I'm still an intern and got this info from some of the gero psychiatrist at my program. N=2. so take it for what it's worth...

 

[michaelrack]

The $ in geropsych is in inpatient work and nursing homes. The key is getting a large medical director stipend from the hospitals and nursing homes, and getting it from several institutions (ie, be medical director of geropsych units at several different hospitals).