IM Specialties

[scarne1]

I was hoping someone could answer this question for me. Are there various paths someone could take in IM to specialize. For example, to become a pulmonologist or a cardiologist etc. are there other paths to take than doing 3 yrs IM and then a fellowship? Are there combined programs or do you have to do fellowships? I have heard that many fellowships are research oriented for a portion of the fellowship. If someone has zero interest in research is there another route besides a fellowship that can be take to become a specialist?
Thanks!

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[Voxel]

You have 2 options

1) IM + Specialty in a Research Specialty residency program

2) IM - 3 years, and then subspecialty fellowship 2-4 years.

Other than this there is no other way that the internal medicine program director at my school knowns of. Hope this answers your question, even if it's not the one you wanted.

 

[rtk]

scarne1;

In order to sit for the sub-specialty boards, you first have to be board certified in Internal Medicine (pass the ABIM boards). Only way to be eligible to take the ABIM boards is residency (3 years) in internal medicine.

Also, to start fellowship, you first must be board-eligible in Internal Medicine. Other countries (e.g.: GB, India) may allow direct fellowship training after medical school...