traveltheworld said:
Thanks rural! That's a good list to investigate. How important do you think it is to have a combined med-peds continuity clinic? It sounds like it would be a big advantage. What were your "must-haves" by the way? Thanks again!
I trained in a program that did have Med-Peds continuity clinics (and I think it's a definite plus if done well). Although I sort of developed my office practice around taking what I liked and thought worked from my continuity clinic experiences and striving to fix that which I thought was "broken" I do think the case mix estimated a lot of what I see now. Obviously there are significant differences but they more relate to population (urban underserved vs rural underserved) and health care infrastructure differences (strong integrated tertiary network vs rural community (in a state with a rather fragmented tertiary care infrastructure). I still contend that learning how to adapt your practice to the strengths and resources of your community is critical for primary care providers. This doesn't mean you must do your residency in the area you intend to practice what it means is that ideally residency illustrates how to work through the process.

DISCLAIMER: My opinion only---as always your experiences will vary
Strong Med-Peds Programs Have:
*Strong categorical medicine AND strong categorical pediatrics programs. (Unfortunately many Med-Peds programs are strong medicine or strong pediatrics programs. Programs that are strong in both do exist seek them out!)
*A dedicated Med-Peds program director
*A Med-Peds continuity clinic (rather than shuttling to you to medicine clinic and peds clinic on alternate weeks--I did interview at two programs that didn't have their own clinics and I was assured at both that it wasn't a detriment although at both they also admitted that it was something they were considering)
*Adequate opportunities for critical care, and subspecialty months (ideally with at least a few subspecialty months being combined Med-Peds experiences).
*A cadre of Med-Peds faculty who are respected as competent internists and pediatricians by both categorical faculty. But when you talk to them they recognize (and are willing to explain ) that Med-Peds is more than Medicine + Ped but it's own discipline
I'm sure there are more criteria, but these were some of the things I looked at. If you have specific questions about programs feel free to pm me and I'll help if I can. Good luck with the application process.