Is internal medicine the best specialty because of the flexibility?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
kg062007

kg062007

Membership Revoked
Removed
10+ Year Member
5+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2007
Messages
125
Reaction score
1
Members don't see this ad.
You can basically be a hospitalist, general internist, do a fellowship, and the job market will always be good for people competent in clinical medicine. Do you think that sub-specializing limits opportunities? Could a cardiologist be a hospitalist or find a job anywhere in the country as easy as a general internist?
 
There's going to be a demand of sorts for most fields---maybe just not necessarily where you'd like.

I'm leaning heavily Cardiology at this point (only one year in though). And have thought seriously thought I'd go IM if I hadn't found a strong favorite come residency time just b/c of the subspecialities available. (Translation, I wouldn't have to make a decision yet).

You could say the same for surgery though, if you like surgery.

And, As long as there are people on this planet, Heart Failure and MI's are going to keep cardiologists in demand.
 
Last edited:
kg062007 said:
You can basically be a hospitalist, general internist, do a fellowship, and the job market will always be good for people competent in clinical medicine. Do you think that sub-specializing limits opportunities? Could a cardiologist be a hospitalist or find a job anywhere in the country as easy as a general internist?
Click to expand...

It depends what you mean by best. Some people love being a jack of all trades while some people thrive in knowing as much as they can about one specific topic/area.

I really doubt either will have a hard time finding a job in the coming years though. Remember that while there are more opportunities for IM/FM doctors, there tend to be more IM/FM graduates as well.

It's kind of like comparing general surgery to some of the more specialized surgical fields. Different strokes for different folks?
 
Wow, I don't know what happened to the title, but I only got like 3 answers to my questions while the rest of you d-bags feel as if you have to mention the title 1,2,3 times. No wonder people don't like doctors.
 
kg062007 said:
Wow, I don't know what happened to the title, but I only got like 3 answers to my questions while the rest of you d-bags feel as if you have to mention the title 1,2,3 times. No wonder people don't like doctors.
Click to expand...

Fixing it anyway. Thank me later... I guess?
 
IM is the best for NPs because the field is going to be taken over by midlevel providers.
 
WOW! I hope my class mates are not bitter nerds like most of you seem to be.
 
kg062007 said:
WOW! I hope my class mates are not bitter nerds like most of you seem to be.
Click to expand...
tumblr_lgzwrjVNi71qbcet2.jpg
 
kg062007 said:
WOW! I hope my class mates are not bitter nerds like most of you seem to be.
Click to expand...

Umm...did you want anyone's opinion, or not?


I don't know that IM is the best specialty because of its flexibility, but that's probably one of the reasons that it is the most popular specialty. Keep in mind, though, that a lot of the most lucrative IM fellowships (GI, cardiology) are the most competitive. Still, there are a lot of options in IM if you don't know for sure that you want to do another specialized residency like surgery or rads or EM or whatever. Whether it's the best or not depends on your personal preferences.
 
As a bitter nerd and d-bag, I just came here to say that I'm glad the title is fixed.
 
Bump.... I would like new perspectives on this. Also being a general internist you can live and work anywhere.
 
kg062007 said:
Bump.... I would like new perspectives on this. Also being a general internist you can live and work anywhere.
Click to expand...

IM the best? Yes if you like calling consults and rounding your life away it's just great.
 
LuciusVorenus said:
It depends what you mean by best. Some people love being a jack of all trades while some people thrive in knowing as much as they can about one specific topic/area.

I really doubt either will have a hard time finding a job in the coming years though. Remember that while there are more opportunities for IM/FM doctors, there tend to be more IM/FM graduates as well.

It's kind of like comparing general surgery to some of the more specialized surgical fields. Different strokes for different folks?
Click to expand...

Maybe if you are a cardiologist...:laugh:
 
So many post a bout the title...What was the title?
 
Dubaifan490 said:
This.
Click to expand...

I'm actually not sure about this. Virtually everyone I've met who is planning on doing IM is also planning on specializing into cardio/gastro/nephro/onco/something afterwards.

I'd be more inclined to agree if we were talking about Family Med.
 
Hospitals will always need internists, and this need (unlike primary care) cannot be fulfilled by NPs. So there is certainly a future for IM docs who don't specialize.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Broad Medicine Focus or Specialty Specific?
Replies
5
Views
430
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
N
Is the “holistic” review a load of nonsense?
Replies
17
Views
2K
LunaOri
LunaOri
D
pasted wrong essay into the "Why... school of medicine"
Replies
7
Views
2K
LunaOri
LunaOri
starbuckscortado
What counts as the end of the 2-week deadline?
Replies
6
Views
461
starbuckscortado
starbuckscortado
R
  • Question Question
is it rude to ask shadowing the day of?
Replies
5
Views
1K
GoSpursGo
GoSpursGo
Top