Question about whether to choose PP vs academics

[rsgillmd]

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On another thread, Noyac asked the original poster the question of why he wants to stay in academics.

I'm beginning the job search for July 2009 and I don't know what to choose.

What I like about PP: better pay, you become efficient, can become partner

What makes me wonder about academics is that I want to have the ability to do research. Is there time to do this in PP? But the downside is the same -- some programs seem to want to force you to do research. I don't want that. It'd be nice if there was a program that was supportive of it, without forcing it.

The other thing is if I'm teaching someone, as in academics, I'm more likely to be forced to stay on top of my knowledge base.

I'm looking to go down south -- NY/NJ area is beginning to get to me for various reasons. I interviewed at one PP practice group in Georgia. I really liked them. They said they would probably get back to me in December after interviewing some more people.

I'm in the works for arranging an interview at an academic center, but they are telling me they don't know what their needs will be next year. But at least if I go to the interview, I'll get an offer that I can compare to the PP group's offer.

Do you have any advice about choosing between the two types of practice: PP vs academic?

I can use any advice I can get.

 

[rsgillmd]

I'm undergoing a divorce with my wife (her decision to leave), and my parents can still take care of themselves. So there is nothing holding me up north.

Basically I want to go to a place that's less crowded/less traffic, cheaper cost of living, milder winters, and friendlier people. I have an uncle in Marietta, GA and I love it when I go to visit him.

Somewhere around Richmond, VA is an invisible line -- in my limited experience it seems it's rare to see NY style driving below that line.

 

[Ventil8]

Consider MUSC-- great place to live (although not "cheap"). Faculty are encouraged to do research (lots in the CV field) but there aren't publishing requirements to my knowledge. Definitely not a PP salary, but the schedule isn't too bad. Just an idea...

 

[2ndyear]

You might find the ability to do limited research at large private practices that have some academic affiliation. A few in my area come to mind, but from my very limited private practice experience nobody has any interest in research. A case report here and there, that's it. I would imagine in the south the disparity between private and academic salaries is high. Northeast it seems to be fairly close. Most partnership groups seem to top out about $50-60,000 per year higher than the basic academic track (ie, no head of any dept, extra call pay, etc.). Not a huge sum of cash considering some academic jobs have like q15 call while q 4 in private practice is not unheard of!

 

[usnavdoc]

I'm undergoing a divorce with my wife (her decision to leave), and my parents can still take care of themselves. So there is nothing holding me up north.

Basically I want to go to a place that's less crowded/less traffic, cheaper cost of living, milder winters, and friendlier people. I have an uncle in Marietta, GA and I love it when I go to visit him.

Somewhere around Richmond, VA is an invisible line -- in my limited experience it seems it's rare to see NY style driving below that line.

Well if you are looking at academics at Emory, Im a resident there so if you have any questions feel free to PM me.(guessing you are since you mention Marietta) Although atlanta is NOT known for having a good traffic situation.

 

[pd4emergence]

As for the PP vs academics question, I think only you can answer that. By this time you know what academics is like. There will be differences where ever you go, some jobs because of this perk or that will be better than others but the basic focus is the same. As for PP, the focus is different, much more business and efficiency oriented. There probably won't be time for much research.

As for coming south, there are some great cities down here. The cost of living is low, property taxes are cheap, income is good. If you decide to go the academic route and you want to stay in the southeast the cities to look at are Nashville, Atlanta, and Birmingham. I don't know much about Texas but I had a lot of folks in my residency program from texas and they all seem to go back there. Similarly I don't know much about Louisiana. Mississippi has a few good pp groups but I wonder if the culture shock would be too much for you. Take a close look at Nashville and Birmingham. Both are fun towns. The PP jobs in those towns and in Atlanta are governed by supply and demand, these are places where people want to live, both have residency programs so there is no shortage of supply. Having said that there are still jobs to be found. Good luck. PM me is you have any specific questions.

Pd4

 

[usnavdoc]

As for the PP vs academics question, I think only you can answer that. By this time you know what academics is like. There will be differences where ever you go, some jobs because of this perk or that will be better than others but the basic focus is the same. As for PP, the focus is different, much more business and efficiency oriented. There probably won't be time for much research.

As for coming south, there are some great cities down here. The cost of living is low, property taxes are cheap, income is good. If you decide to go the academic route and you want to stay in the southeast the cities to look at are Nashville, Atlanta, and Birmingham. I don't know much about Texas but I had a lot of folks in my residency program from texas and they all seem to go back there. Similarly I don't know much about Louisiana. Mississippi has a few good pp groups but I wonder if the culture shock would be too much for you. Take a close look at Nashville and Birmingham. Both are fun towns. The PP jobs in those towns and in Atlanta are governed by supply and demand, these are places where people want to live, both have residency programs so there is no shortage of supply. Having said that there are still jobs to be found. Good luck. PM me is you have any specific questions.

Pd4

The PP jobs here in atlanta are a tight market with most having a LONG partnership track.(typically 4-5 years 7 in some cases) some also have a tiered partenership as well from what I am hearing. No shortage of jobs but they will get their pound of flesh before you make partner.

Outside of the city the suburbs have some really decent PP groups.

Just getting my feet wet looking so I cant say I am an expert by any stretch.