Having trouble deciding between IM and peds...

[pos65]

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Hi everyone,

I'm an M3 having a hard time deciding between IM and peds. I've wanted to do peds ever since high school, but then when I did the rotation I didn't like it as much as I thought I would. I like the pt population, the aspect of preventive medicine, and also the fact that I can see the kids get better. But I didn't find the medicine to be as interesting to me as when I did adult medicine. I really enjoyed my IM rotation, but my main concern is that I felt like I wasn't "fixing" my pts as much as I was in peds. I had a hard time getting past the fact that even if we treated the pt's UTI, the pt was still going to die in 6 months from lung CA. However, I did find myself much more interested in IM and I had more of a desire to read up on my pts. I'm not sure what aspects are more important to consider for the long run. I've thought about med/peds, but I may want to specialize later so I think I have to decide eventually. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!!

 

[phoenixsupra]

They both suck. 😉

 

[doc05]

Hi everyone,

I'm an M3 having a hard time deciding between IM and peds. I've wanted to do peds ever since high school, but then when I did the rotation I didn't like it as much as I thought I would.

if you didn't like the rotation, that's a clue. you're not in high school anymore.

I like the pt population, the aspect of preventive medicine, and also the fact that I can see the kids get better. But I didn't find the medicine to be as interesting to me as when I did adult medicine.

that's because it ISN't as interesting as adult medicine

I really enjoyed my IM rotation, but my main concern is that I felt like I wasn't "fixing" my pts as much as I was in peds. I had a hard time getting past the fact that even if we treated the pt's UTI, the pt was still going to die in 6 months from lung CA.

with this line of thinking, why not just say that the kids will grow up and eventually die too??
you will rarely "fix" patients. and you'll never cure them, unless you become a surgeon.

However, I did find myself much more interested in IM and I had more of a desire to read up on my pts. I'm not sure what aspects are more important to consider for the long run. I've thought about med/peds, but I may want to specialize later so I think I have to decide eventually. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!!

sounds like you should go into IM, and the only reason you're considering peds is because of some preconceived notion of what pediatrics is like you had as a teenager.

good luck.

 

[DarksideAllstar]

Maybe a bit of an overexaggeration, but what do you want to deal with on a Friday at 5 pm:

1. Kid with runny nose, cough, and mom who wants some ABX so she can feel better about her kids URI

OR

2. 50 year old guy with DM Type 2, uncontrolled HTN, CAD, previos hx of CVA with something looking like cellulitis spreading up his leg.

 

[bigfrank]

I think you should still consider Med-Peds? Don't listen to the idiots on some anonymous forum who may or may not even be in medical school who say "they both suck." If YOU like them, then forge ahead.

And Med-Peds is just an extra year and you'll be double board-certified with like 50 fellowships from which to choose.

 

[Koko]

My suggestion would be to try and determine which of the two you prefer versus Med-Peds, unless you have a strong desire for academics. Why? Based on discussions with senior med students, residents, and faculty, many people who enter a combined program due to indecision eventually settle on one, often prior to completing the training. Based on the little bit you shared I would suggest looking into inpt peds/hospitalist to maximize what you seem to enjoy and see if it fits you. You can also investigate IM specialties by shadowing/elective work and by speaking to practicing MDs in fields of interest - the latter is often helpful no matter what field you're looking into.

A reassuring fact is that there are many ways to go in each general field. Docs do change fields within peds and medicine if they so desire. One inpt/hospitalist pediatrician I know left outpt due to the routine and now loves the variety and challenge of inpt peds. Another left pediatric em for the hospitalist role. The same is true for IM. So you're not locked in for life.

Good luck.

 

[Peanuts]

Hi Pos65,
Reading your post I felt like I could've written it--just because I feel very similarly. I'm still in the process of deciding. Our peds residency director at my school asked me this: "Imagine in the next room is a 65 y/o woman with DM, Htn, and CAD. In this room is a 7 y/o with fever, cough, and rash. Which room do you want to walk into?"

Examining how you feel and what your response is to this question may or may not help, but I guess, see what your first instinct is and listen to your gut. Since that discussion, I feel I am leaning towards Peds, despite a rotation experience that I did not enjoy. I think it's hard to make big decisions based on the short rotations we have as third years b/c there are many factors that determine whether we like a rotation or not. Base your decision on your past experience with the field as well, and see how you like a sub-I in your field of interest. Talk to lots of people as well. Good luck.

 

[doccomet]

This may be heresy to even suggest at times, but family medicine often incorporates the best of both worlds! I know the subspecialty thing may dissuade you, but its worth a look.

 

[klubguts]

You can try to do a rotation in each area early during your fourth year, which may (or may not) help resolve your conflict prior to applying to residency programs. Family medicine is also a consideration as the previous poster mentioned. I would encourage you to pursue the area of medicine which you enjoy the most....this isn't really very helpful advice, but best of luck in making your decision.

 

[Bobblehead]

Aren't kids just little adults?