Internal Medicine or Family medicine? 2014

[firstaidjelly]

Stats:
414 Comlex 1
204 Usmle step 1

Plan of attack:
Apply IM AOA
Apply IM ACGME
Apply FM ACGME

Possible to get internal medicine with these numbers?

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[firstaidjelly]

Or even ACGME FM with these numbers? Or should I apply FM AOA also?

 

[Everglide]

AOA IM some programs, auditions are key. AOA FP - definitely. It's more about fit than scores with FP.

 

[pattr]

You might have a shot at some community ACGME IM programs. Otherwise AOA IM and ACGME FM are your best bets.

 

[DrUKDO]

You might have a shot at some community ACGME IM programs. Otherwise AOA IM and ACGME FM are your best bets.

I agree with this. If you are willing to scramble you will definitely get AOA IM or ACGME FM somewhere. Scoring higher on Step 2/Level 2 will help as well. You will need to decide what you want more, as the AOA match is first. I have found in the primary care world, no one really cares if you are a MD or DO. However, there is a big difference between IM and FM.

 

[bionerd89]

I agree with this. If you are willing to scramble you will definitely get AOA IM or ACGME FM somewhere. Scoring higher on Step 2/Level 2 will help as well. You will need to decide what you want more, as the AOA match is first. I have found in the primary care world, no one really cares if you are a MD or DO. However, there is a big difference between IM and FM.

Do you mind explaining the big difference between IM and FM? thanks

 

[pattr]

Do you mind explaining the big difference between IM and FM? thanks

As far as the residency training you get:

IM: more inpatient, more medicine specialty, little to no women's health, no peds
FM: more outpatient, more ob/gyn, peds, EM, and surgery

Basically in IM you're doing way more inpatient/ICU medicine months whereas FM has a much more diverse training.

 

[Dr. Zombie]

As far as the residency training you get:

IM: more inpatient, more medicine specialty, little to no women's health, no peds
FM: more outpatient, more ob/gyn, peds, EM, and surgery

Basically in IM you're doing way more inpatient/ICU medicine months whereas FM has a much more diverse training.

How are the residency hours for IM? Do they simmer down after internship year?

 

[pattr]

How are the residency hours for IM? Do they simmer down after internship year?

Yes, obv better to ask this to a current IM resident... but during 2nd and 3rd year of IM you're doing relatively more subspecialty/consult and elective services which are more 8-5 and even during your inpatient medicine months you're no longer having to come in at 5am to see all the patients since you have interns for that. However you do still have 30-hour calls.

Intern year in medicine is rough but you are limited to 16 hours at a time in the hospital due to the work hour restrictions.

 

[Dr. Zombie]

Yes, obv better to ask this to a current IM resident... but during 2nd and 3rd year of IM you're doing relatively more subspecialty/consult and elective services which are more 8-5 and even during your inpatient medicine months you're no longer having to come in at 5am to see all the patients since you have interns for that. However you do still have 30-hour calls.

Intern year in medicine is rough but you are limited to 16 hours at a time in the hospital due to the work hour restrictions.

Yeah everyone says PGY-1 is rough no matter the specialty, but if PGY-2-4 is reasonable, I don't understand why people complain about IM residency.

 

[pattr]

Yeah everyone says PGY-1 is rough no matter the specialty, but if PGY-2-4 is reasonable, I don't understand why people complain about IM residency.

B/c the patients are some of the sickest and the job can sometimes be thankless, other services dumping on you and what not.

 

[SLC]

Stats:
414 Comlex 1
204 Usmle step 1

Plan of attack:
Apply IM AOA
Apply IM ACGME
Apply FM ACGME

Possible to get internal medicine with these numbers?

I'd think you could do AOA IM if you were smart about how and where to apply. ACGME would be tough (didn't do yourself any favors with the USMLE) but if you don't care where you go, I'd bet you could probably find a community program that would take you.

Family Med shouldn't be too hard, even ACGME. You'd get a better program through the AOA match I assume though.

 

[Bacchus]

Family Med shouldn't be too hard, even ACGME. You'd get a better program through the AOA match I assume though.

I'd recommend a dually accredited program with an audition where you want to go. Benefits of the ACGME program, can still sit for ABFM boards/sever your ties to the AOA if you want to.

 

[DrUKDO]

Do you mind explaining the big difference between IM and FM? thanks

The biggest difference is the patient population. FM sees peds, adults, and pregnant women. IM sees adults 18+.
IM is better trained to handle a higher acuity of care. They typically don't consult as many specialists in the hospital and handle more complex chronic conditions.

 

[babdoc]

Don't forget that IM is the only gateway to many subspecialties.

Also in following the high acuity inpatient vein, IM tends to have more dedicated ICU time. Many will have at least one month per year if not more whereas FM tends to have a month for the entire residency.

FM will tend to have 2+ half-days in the clinic per week. IM may only average 1 half-day/week.

Definitely depends on the program. Some IM programs have more outpatient opportunities. Some FM programs have more inpatient.