IM residencies as backup for FM?

[nontrad78]

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I'm an OMS-III with a 550+ COMLEX, but a 210-220 USMLE, 3.5+ GPA, around top 1/3 in my class. I'm very interested in FM for lots of reasons, but would really like to stay in the large city in Texas that I'm currently doing my rotations in. There are some other cities that we'd be ok with moving to as well, but I'm not sure how good the inpatient experience is at their FM residencies. Some of these same programs have IM programs as well.
It seems pretty natural that someone interested in primary care would apply to both FM and IM programs. Does anyone have any insight on whether I'd be shooting myself in the foot for applying to both FM and IM programs at the same location/university?

(i'd like a strong inpatient experience as I'm considering hospitalist or at least inpatient/outpatient mix)

 

[deleted87716]

It seems pretty natural that someone interested in primary care would apply to both FM and IM programs.

Unless you know how few IM folks actually go into primary care.

Does anyone have any insight on whether I'd be shooting myself in the foot for applying to both FM and IM programs at the same location/university?

Most likely (they'll know each other, after all). Most programs want people who are committed to their field.

 

[nontrad78]

Thanks. That's pretty helpful. I'll have to consider only applying to those IM programs in the instance when the FM program seems inadequate on the inpatient side. To further clarify, the places I'm talking about would ideally be rounding out the middle of my rank list, not the top.

 

[deleted87716]

Well, an FP isn't an internist (and vice versa). So, I don't necessarily agree with applying to both. I'd think a little harder about what you really want to do, especially if you're limiting your options geographically. You don't want to kill your chances everywhere.

 

[nontrad78]

Well, an FP isn't an internist (and vice versa). So, I don't necessarily agree with applying to both. I'd think a little harder about what you really want to do, especially if you're limiting your options geographically. You don't want to kill your chances everywhere.

That's a good point, and another reason I struggle with potentially applying to the IM programs. It occurs to me that although I do want to do some inpatient work as an FP, that may not make for the most appealing candidacy for the IM programs. And of course the training is different. I've still got a few good months to mull it over. In the end, I'm most interested in primary care and FM, so if that means just not applying to IM programs, then so be it. Especially if it would jeopardize my chances at programs in my "home" city, which has a few nice looking unopposed programs.

 

[hallowmann]

That's a good point, and another reason I struggle with potentially applying to the IM programs. It occurs to me that although I do want to do some inpatient work as an FP, that may not make for the most appealing candidacy for the IM programs. And of course the training is different. I've still got a few good months to mull it over. In the end, I'm most interested in primary care and FM, so if that means just not applying to IM programs, then so be it. Especially if it would jeopardize my chances at programs in my "home" city, which has a few nice looking unopposed programs.

I suspect that you'll have plenty of places to apply to and as a result plenty of interviews even with applying FM. There are also other less competitive FM programs around that would be better options than using IM as a backup, if you really want primary care. That said, you need to really evaluate what you personally want. Do you really know what FM and IM are and have to offer?

 

[jm192]

FM is typically one of the least competitive fields--numbers-wise anyways. It doesn't make sense to have a backup for it. Just apply to more FM programs

 

[nontrad78]

I suspect that you'll have plenty of places to apply to and as a result plenty of interviews even with applying FM. There are also other less competitive FM programs around that would be better options than using IM as a backup, if you really want primary care. That said, you need to really evaluate what you personally want. Do you really know what FM and IM are and have to offer?

Thanks for the feedback. I've been back in the hospital for the last few weeks, and think I've determined that I could do without outpatient care, but I couldn't do without inpatient. I guess I'm using "primary care" a little too liberally. What I'm interested in is general medicine, and I was hoping to do some hospitalist work initially, and then go on to find some place where i could do a mix. Now, I'm beginning to see that I may be better off applying to IM programs instead of FM. I don't think I'll have trouble staying in-state (Texas), and I think I'll have a shot at some solid programs. I'd still need to apply broadly, obviously, but I'd rather just go with one or the other than the back-up approach I was considering.

 

[DoubleBogey]

Thanks for the feedback. I've been back in the hospital for the last few weeks, and think I've determined that I could do without outpatient care, but I couldn't do without inpatient. I guess I'm using "primary care" a little too liberally. What I'm interested in is general medicine, and I was hoping to do some hospitalist work initially, and then go on to find some place where i could do a mix. Now, I'm beginning to see that I may be better off applying to IM programs instead of FM. I don't think I'll have trouble staying in-state (Texas), and I think I'll have a shot at some solid programs. I'd still need to apply broadly, obviously, but I'd rather just go with one or the other than the back-up approach I was considering.

Im one of the uncommon folks who did an IM residency but practice “primary care”, although I do inpt throughout the month. In my opinion, reasons to do FM residency would be greater exposure to peds/obgyn- IM offers the chance for greater specialization (if you wanted a fellowship IM does not limit you) and generally more inpt exposure.

I wouldn’t apply IM as back up, especially if you like the peds/obgyn aspect of FM.

Good luck

 

[nontrad78]

Im one of the uncommon folks who did an IM residency but practice “primary care”, although I do inpt throughout the month. In my opinion, reasons to do FM residency would be greater exposure to peds/obgyn- IM offers the chance for greater specialization (if you wanted a fellowship IM does not limit you) and generally more inpt exposure.

I wouldn’t apply IM as back up, especially if you like the peds/obgyn aspect of FM.

Good luck

I appreciate the input. The draw to FM was more the variability of options coming out of residency, but mainly, I just liked that there was potential to work in hospitals as well. Now that I'm getting more time in the hospital, as opposed to outpatient settings, I think my preference is to make sure I get really solid inpatient training. Now I just have to find some solid IM programs in-state that I'll be a good candidate for.