How to find primary care physician Programs?

[ykmedicine]

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Very recently, I have decided that I am very interested in becoming a primary care physician. Now, although I am not 100% of this decision (after all, who knows what I could fall in love with in medical school), it is a path that I would love to explore and I am interested in knowing my options. I have heard from many people that medical schools give incentives for students to become primary care physicians. My question is how do you find out which schools do this? Also, specifically, do any NY med schools do this? Thanks in advance.

 

[medhearter]

Very recently, I have decided that I am very interested in becoming a primary care physician. Now, although I am not 100% of this decision (after all, who knows what I could fall in love with in medical school), it is a path that I would love to explore and I am interested in knowing my options. I have heard from many people that medical schools give incentives for students to become primary care physicians. My question is how do you find out which schools do this? Also, specifically, do any NY med schools do this? Thanks in advance.

I know Albany is big on primary care.

 

[flip26]

Very recently, I have decided that I am very interested in becoming a primary care physician. Now, although I am not 100% of this decision (after all, who knows what I could fall in love with in medical school), it is a path that I would love to explore and I am interested in knowing my options. I have heard from many people that medical schools give incentives for students to become primary care physicians. My question is how do you find out which schools do this? Also, specifically, do any NY med schools do this? Thanks in advance.

In general, any public med school will meet your needs.

There is a small but growing trend for states and communities to offer financial incentives (pay off your loans, for instance) to med students who make a contract to start their career in designated locations, in designated areas of practice. I believe there are some programs like this in NY state, so you should research it.

 

[phospho]

It's not really school dependent (at least for the major programs) like the NHSC. They are government programs. Your school's financial aid office should have a list of possible sources, or at least point you in the right direction.

I can tell you from my personal research that it is rarely a good idea to sign a contract promising that you'll enter primary care. As you mentioned, you will most likely change your mind quite a bit in medical school. If you sign a contract and decide not to follow through, the consequences are very severe (atleast for the NHSC "scholarship"), and make no doubt about it, you will screw yourself over.

 

[Sora]

I can tell you from my personal research that it is rarely a good idea to sign a contract promising that you'll enter primary care. As you mentioned, you will most likely change your mind quite a bit in medical school. If you sign a contract and decide not to follow through, the consequences are very severe (atleast for the NHSC "scholarship"), and make no doubt about it, you will screw yourself over.

Agreed.

 

[bodonid]

varies by state. my state (GA) pays tuition and fees 100% for people who commit to practicing primary care outside of atlanta. Go to the financial aid office of the school you will be attending (or any public med school) and ask them.

 

[turkeyjerky]

Very recently, I have decided that I am very interested in becoming a primary care physician. Now, although I am not 100% of this decision (after all, who knows what I could fall in love with in medical school), it is a path that I would love to explore and I am interested in knowing my options. I have heard from many people that medical schools give incentives for students to become primary care physicians. My question is how do you find out which schools do this? Also, specifically, do any NY med schools do this? Thanks in advance.

Many schools have primary care loans that are interest free. You can also apply for the NHSC scholarship once you've been accepted. Many states (including NY, I believe) also have loan-repayment incentives if you practice primary care in rural areas.

You could also try to work out a deal with a hospital where they pay you're tuition in return for committing to practice there for a few years after residency. This is usually a home-town rural hospital type of thing.

I would caution you, however, to think long and hard about it before committing to one of these programs. The repayment penalties are generally pretty severe (i think NHSC is something like 17% interest). It's very common for med students to change their mind about wanting to practice primary care once they've been in school for a little bit, and, when it comes down to it, the monetary incentives aren't as good as they seem because you frequently get paid less than you would in regular private practice. It does provide peace of mind about loans, though.