Internist? Nutrition Specialist?

[Stevens_Solstice]

Hello my name is Steven. I plan on earning a B.S in biological sciences and then have my Masters in Biology as well. I want to become an Internist but I do want to specialize more in nutrition in my practice. Is that possible? No i don't want to be a nutritionist, I just feel that a healthy diet can go a long way. Knowing the facts just helps me as a doctor to guide my patients to better eating habits. Any information helps.

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[neusu]

Hello my name is Steven. I plan on earning a B.S in biological sciences and then have my Masters in Biology as well. I want to become an Internist but I do want to specialize more in nutrition in my practice. Is that possible? No i don't want to be a nutritionist, I just feel that a healthy diet can go a long way. Knowing the facts just helps me as a doctor to guide my patients to better eating habits. Any information helps.

Very possible. There are plenty of weight loss clinics run by MDs. Do you need an MD to run a weight loss program? Absolutely not. Ask yourself, what does getting an MD and going through residency give you that just opening an office on your own won't? Is it worth pursuing med school + residency +/- fellowship for this difference?

FWIW, you could always open your office and hire an MD on an as needed basis or in an advisory capacity. Thus, you still have the "credibility" the MD lends, and accomplish your goals, nonetheless.

 

[gyngyn]

The science of nutrition is in its infancy.

 

[LizzyM]

This is do-able. Here are the biographies of two physicians who are doing nutrition and medicine in an academic setting:
http://clm.nm.org/specialists.html
There are fellowships in this area after you've completed residency:
http://www.nutritioncare.org/NBPNS/Physician_Nutrition_Specialist/Physician_Nutrition_Specialist/

 

[Goro]

1) get into college, if you aren't already.
2) get into medical school
3) Then worry about what you'll be specializing in.

Hello my name is Steven. I plan on earning a B.S in biological sciences and then have my Masters in Biology as well. I want to become an Internist but I do want to specialize more in nutrition in my practice. Is that possible? No i don't want to be a nutritionist, I just feel that a healthy diet can go a long way. Knowing the facts just helps me as a doctor to guide my patients to better eating habits. Any information helps.

 

[Stevens_Solstice]

Very possible. There are plenty of weight loss clinics run by MDs. Do you need an MD to run a weight loss program? Absolutely not. Ask yourself, what does getting an MD and going through residency give you that just opening an office on your own won't? Is it worth pursuing med school + residency +/- fellowship for this difference?

FWIW, you could always open your office and hire an MD on an as needed basis or in an advisory capacity. Thus, you still have the "credibility" the MD lends, and accomplish your goals, nonetheless.

I see your point, I want to be a doctor. I'm not sure if you know who Dr. Michael Greger is but he is a General Practitioner who specializes in nutrition. I was wondering if i can do the same as an Internist.

 

[Stevens_Solstice]

1) get into college, if you aren't already.
2) get into medical school
3) Then worry about what you'll be specializing in.

Fair enough. But I do like to set the foundation of my goals. A clear goal is a better than an undecided one.

 

[Stevens_Solstice]

This is do-able. Here are the biographies of two physicians who are doing nutrition and medicine in an academic setting:
http://clm.nm.org/specialists.html
There are fellowships in this area after you've completed residency:
http://www.nutritioncare.org/NBPNS/Physician_Nutrition_Specialist/Physician_Nutrition_Specialist/

Wow thanks.

 

[gyngyn]

Fair enough. But I do like to set the foundation of my goals. A clear goal is a better than an undecided one.

This is something that we refer to as premature closure.
You are in the early exploration phase of your education.
Continue to try out many ideas. You have decades to confirm your interests and aptitude.

 

[Stevens_Solstice]

This is something that we refer to as premature closure.
You are in the early exploration phase of your education.
Continue to try out many ideas. You have decades to confirm your interests and aptitude.

Your right, I will see many fields that might interest me in medicine. Being closed minded to only one would be contradictory for a doctor. I would want to be a nutritionist as I said before if that were the case.