what is the future of FP?

[Informer]

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I am a 3rd year student right now who is really stuck between FP and IM.

I like kids and love clinic, but a lot of people are really concerned about the future of FP with all these NP's and PA's running around

what do you think is the future of FP?

 

[docbill]

...with all these NP's and PA's running around

Don't forget those evil DOs 😀

 

[medic170]

I am a 3rd year student right now who is really stuck between FP and IM.

I like kids and love clinic, but a lot of people are really concerned about the future of FP with all these NP's and PA's running around

what do you think is the future of FP?

The NP and PA's will NEVER take over FP, don't worry. They are too undertrained to provide the entire scope of care that a Board certified FP provides. My mentor, who is a DO actually, started a single person private practice 2 years ago, and he now makes $200,000 a year after expenses for about 55-60 hours a week, so he tells me. He also said he is going to hire a PA because he has a friend that hired 2 PA's for a FP and makes 350,000 after expenses. They are assistants, not doctors (except in rural areas where that is all that is avaliable) Don't worry, despite what people may tell you, FP docs have nothing to worry about.

 

[UptownDoc]

*reads medic's post

*agrees with medic

😀

 

[WVmed]

what do you think is the future of FP?

What is the stigma with FP? I have often considered the family medicine route with subspecialty in psychiatry. Other subs like peds and geriatrics make for more options 😀 . The money will not be as high as, say, neuro surg but, who cares?? Also FP has primary care scholarship packages that are not available to other specialties. Also it affords the opportunity to practice virtually anywhere the demographics see fit.

Becoming a family practitioner is not "settling for less," like so many gunners might make one think. It is a respectable position and a strong family tradition.

___________________
MS1

 

[doc05]

blah blah blah. Who would you go to? An internist, or an FP who does "a little bit of everything?" Who would you bring your kids to? A pediatrician, who is fully trained for kids-issues, or an FP? Same for OB.

In an area with any substantial population density, there are tons of specialists and subspecialists that you'll be competing with. People with highly specialized training, rather than an FP who dabbles in psych, or whatever.

FP is a viable route in a low-density area (any rural area) where there aren't enough physicians. But it has become less sensible to set up shop in a metropolitan area where you'll be obsolete.

 

[automaton]

The NP and PA's will NEVER take over FP, don't worry. They are too undertrained to provide the entire scope of care that a Board certified FP provides. My mentor, who is a DO actually, started a single person private practice 2 years ago, and he now makes $200,000 a year after expenses for about 55-60 hours a week, so he tells me. He also said he is going to hire a PA because he has a friend that hired 2 PA's for a FP and makes 350,000 after expenses. They are assistants, not doctors (except in rural areas where that is all that is avaliable) Don't worry, despite what people may tell you, FP docs have nothing to worry about.

paging macgyver...

 

[iatrosB]

paging macgyver...

He doesn't need to be paged, he can smell this thread from a mile away!

 

[10minutes]

blah blah blah. Who would you go to? An internist, or an FP who does "a little bit of everything?" Who would you bring your kids to? A pediatrician, who is fully trained for kids-issues, or an FP? Same for OB.

In an area with any substantial population density, there are tons of specialists and subspecialists that you'll be competing with. People with highly specialized training, rather than an FP who dabbles in psych, or whatever.

FP is a viable route in a low-density area (any rural area) where there aren't enough physicians. But it has become less sensible to set up shop in a metropolitan area where you'll be obsolete.

Ditto 😎

 

[USUaggie]

I am a 3rd year student right now who is really stuck between FP and IM.

I like kids and love clinic, but a lot of people are really concerned about the future of FP with all these NP's and PA's running around

what do you think is the future of FP?

Fat Potential?
FP is a factor I take seriously in dating

 

[medic170]

blah blah blah. Who would you go to? An internist, or an FP who does "a little bit of everything?" Who would you bring your kids to? A pediatrician, who is fully trained for kids-issues, or an FP? Same for OB.

In an area with any substantial population density, there are tons of specialists and subspecialists that you'll be competing with. People with highly specialized training, rather than an FP who dabbles in psych, or whatever.

FP is a viable route in a low-density area (any rural area) where there aren't enough physicians. But it has become less sensible to set up shop in a metropolitan area where you'll be obsolete.

The OP did not ask about FP in urban settings, he asked about the effect of NP'a and PA's on FP

 

[Furrball]

I think the obituary for FP's in urban settings is premature. People ask me what my specialty is. I tell them I am starting a residency program for internal medicine. Most poeple do not know what IM is. I found the easiest way to explain it is either "like an FP I just won't see kids or do obstetrics" or it's like a pediatrician but for adults.

If an FP is good they will have a practice.

 

[doccomet]

I teach students regularly and follow these posts occasionally. As a practicing fp in an urban location, I will be the first to say that I am anything but obsolete. Many patients value the opportunity to have one physician care for their entire family, and know them at a depth not attainable from other medical specialties. We aren't better or worse than IM or peds or even ob, we're just approaching the problems in a different way. Many patients love it, some don't. It makes me laugh that we are such a threat to these other specialties that some folks feel the need to tear us down.
If you are good they'll find you. I haven't been able to accept new patients into my practice for 3 years, and there is no sign of slowing. Bottom line, I make a good (not rock star) living, do what I love and do it in a way that satisfies me and my patients.
Also a very wise mentor taught me "If you think a nurse or PA can do your job then they probably should." It'll never happen.

 

[WVmed]

I teach students regularly and follow these posts occasionally. As a practicing fp in an urban location, I will be the first to say that I am anything but obsolete. Many patients value the opportunity to have one physician care for their entire family, and know them at a depth not attainable from other medical specialties. We aren't better or worse than IM or peds or even ob, we're just approaching the problems in a different way. Many patients love it, some don't. It makes me laugh that we are such a threat to these other specialties that some folks feel the need to tear us down.
If you are good they'll find you. I haven't been able to accept new patients into my practice for 3 years, and there is no sign of slowing. Bottom line, I make a good (not rock star) living, do what I love and do it in a way that satisfies me and my patients.
Also a very wise mentor taught me "If you think a nurse or PA can do your job then they probably should." It'll never happen.

Thanks for your insight doccomet. From the sounds of it you're doing just fine.
Do HMO's have much negative effect on your practice? That's great that you have so many patients who you can know well and keep solid histories on. I think the "stigma" in young students is completely wrong about family practice; it's obviously a great career and a long-lasting tradition. I also think it gives you some opportunities to meet people you wouldnt have in a more specialized field, such as anesthesia or radiology. Am I right on this?

 

[chameleonknight]

paging macgyver...

dang, you beat me to it!

 

[cbc]

Once I actually heard a patient who asked an FP, "I'd like one doctor to see my entire fam, that's why I don't want to take my kid to a pediatrician. Do you think you can be my kid's doctor as well?"

blah blah blah. Who would you go to? An internist, or an FP who does "a little bit of everything?" Who would you bring your kids to? A pediatrician, who is fully trained for kids-issues, or an FP? Same for OB.

In an area with any substantial population density, there are tons of specialists and subspecialists that you'll be competing with. People with highly specialized training, rather than an FP who dabbles in psych, or whatever.

FP is a viable route in a low-density area (any rural area) where there aren't enough physicians. But it has become less sensible to set up shop in a metropolitan area where you'll be obsolete.

 

[smc927]

blah blah blah. Who would you go to? An internist, or an FP who does "a little bit of everything?" Who would you bring your kids to? A pediatrician, who is fully trained for kids-issues, or an FP? Same for OB.
QUOTE]

I wouldn't go to anyone more specialized than the occasion required.

Actually - I enjoy seeing a FP doc.

My wife was very happy to have him for OB, etc. He delivered our first child and would have done the second if skyrocketing malpractice rates in Pennsylvania didn't make that impossible for him.

As far as a pediatrician - we take our kids to the same FP doc. He will refer us to a more specialized peds doc when needed. Otherwise he is perfectly capable and well trained.

I feel it is a wonderful advantage to have our whole family seeing the same doc over an extended period of time.

 

[smc927]

FP is a viable route in a low-density area (any rural area) where there aren't enough physicians. But it has become less sensible to set up shop in a metropolitan area where you'll be obsolete.

I'm not sure that is an accurate statement. I live in a suburban area where we can find any specialist we want within a few miles - even go to Johns Hopkins or Penn State Hershey within 45 minutes either direction. Yet there are many, many FP docs here, and we (me, wife, 2 kids) prefer to see our family doc.

 

[jaboy]

blah blah blah. Who would you go to? An internist, or an FP who does "a little bit of everything?" Who would you bring your kids to? A pediatrician, who is fully trained for kids-issues, or an FP? Same for OB.

In an area with any substantial population density, there are tons of specialists and subspecialists that you'll be competing with. People with highly specialized training, rather than an FP who dabbles in psych, or whatever.

FP is a viable route in a low-density area (any rural area) where there aren't enough physicians. But it has become less sensible to set up shop in a metropolitan area where you'll be obsolete.

I disagree because a lot of people like to keep things simple. You can take your family to one place and the doc really gets to know everyone. Some people like that. I am lazy and like things to be simple

 

[doccomet]

Thanks for your insight doccomet. From the sounds of it you're doing just fine.
Do HMO's have much negative effect on your practice? That's great that you have so many patients who you can know well and keep solid histories on. I think the "stigma" in young students is completely wrong about family practice; it's obviously a great career and a long-lasting tradition. I also think it gives you some opportunities to meet people you wouldnt have in a more specialized field, such as anesthesia or radiology. Am I right on this?

Sorry I've been out of town. HMO's have not had a huge impact on us, and things are swinging back to alternative plans, and yes I get to meet many interesting people. I have a circuit court judge, a professional ballet dancer, a lottery winner and many other folks in my practice. One of my patients built my bar in my home and it is a true piece of art! I feel sorry for those who don't feel the same satisfaction I do i medicine. I wouldn't do anything else.

 

[Ross434]

FP is cool because you can get a job anywhere (maybe excepting downtown in big cities), and if you work outside of cities, there's a good chance you'll be able to live like a king and be the highest income earner in an entire town. This and the respect that FP docs get in the locations that they practice make it a still-appealing career. While FP might not be respected as much in academic centers, they're probably respected more than the radiologist or the emergency doctor, in a rural setting, simply because everybody knows them and comes to them for help.

 

[awdc]

I don't think FP is going anywhere. Even in large cities there are tons of openings for FP trained docs.