How to start your own practice

[pboothe]

I haven't started medical school yet, and I really know very little about this, but I was hoping someone could enlighten me. I know dermatology is highly comp but I'll use it for my example.

What are the exact steps to become a dermatologist that earns the salaries listed on most websites.

Of course I know that a four year dermatology residnecy must be completed, but is this on top of a general residency or is it just fours years after med school and then you are a dermatologist. How is it that most young doctors, (first year out of residency) go about starting their own practice? If you don't start your own practice and you continue to work in a hospital, what kind of salary increase can you expect compared to what you made in residency?

Also, I've seen some residency programs listed as Internal Medicine/dermatology what is the difference in this and just a strickly dermatology residency?

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[mpp]

Yes, you just need to complete a dermatology residency to be eligible for board certification in dermatology (apart from passing the board exams). Although I can't say for certain, I doubt that many 1st year practicing dermatologists start their own practices these days. Most probably find work at a private group practice. Some probably continue their training in a fellowship such as Mohs.

As far as salary, you can expect a large increase from last year of residency to first year of practice. Fourth year residents typically make less than $45,000 per year. A first year practicing dermatologist I'm sure would earn well over $100,000 (although I'm definitely no expert on physican salaries or dermatology).

I think when you read 'Internal Medicine, Dermatlogy' that has to do with how the dermatology residency works. Most residencies require 1 year of Internal Medicine before you complete the 3 years of Dermatology. When finished you are a dermatologist (and not an internist).

 

[Winged Scapula]

Moving to the Derm Forum...