Which schools have good family medicine program?

[Jay2910]

There are a couple of parts to this question:

1) How did you decide on the medical school that you went into?

2) What do you like best about your school?

3) I have been looking into a school that has a really good family medicine program( not top tier)
What are they?
What's the most efficient way to go searching for them? What stats do you look at in a school to decide if they have a strong program in the speciality that you want?

4) I'm pretty sure there was a thread that had like various med students responses to like 6 questions? ( all pertaining to their med school life/program). Have any of you come across it? If so, a link would be great!

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[MerickManual]

If I were you I would look at residency programs that interest you, and then look at the schools affiliated with that hospital. The issue is a lot of FM programs differ depending on what you are interested in, so saying "top tier" is kinda hard to figure out which programs to suggest. Since you're posting in allopathic, use FRIEDA to look for residencies.

 

[colbgw02]

I'm in the camp that believes the best FM residencies tend to be unopposed programs. You won't find too many medical schools with that scenario. I don't see much utility in picking a medical school based on its family medicine residency to any substantial degree.

 

[Jay2910]

Hey MerickManual,

Thanks for the lead. I will look into it.
I guess what I am looking for is schools that have an LRAP program that offer family medicine?
At the end of the day, all I'm looking for great teachers, good student/college environment, good curriculum and an peaceful/affordable place to stay. What other parameters are there for schools with FM?
I had an unpleasant wild ride in undergrad so I want to make sure, I won't be making that same mistake again.

 

[MerickManual]

What is LRAP?

 

[Jay2910]

Loan Repayment Assistance Program

 

[MerickManual]

Ah, ok. Can't help you there, sorry.

 

[Jay2910]

But really what factors do you consider when you applied for medical school?( besides the general location and cost)
I thought I really should consider the kind of residency programs?

 

[MerickManual]

Well, I go to a D.O. school which is known for primary care. My factors were honestly location (being instate was cheaper too, a plus). The tricky part is at this stage you might think you know which specialty you want but you just need to experience first-hand to have a better idea. Those "scholarships" or pay-back programs are tricky, since I have met people who regret being locked into primary care after 3rd and 4th year rotations.

For FM I honestly don't feel like any certain school is better than others. I would go to the most reputable school you can, and during medical school do research into programs, get a feel of what kind of FM doc you want to be and then find the best FM residency program based on that. 🙂 Good luck!

 

[Winged Scapula]

IMHO it would be short-sighted to choose a medical school based on the assumption that a) what interests you today will be what you end up doing and b) that medical schools are training you for a certain specialty. That's what residency is for.

With that, moving to Pre-Med forum.

 

[kyamh]

Loan Repayment Assistance Program

Michigan State has a loan forgiveness program for primary care/fm according to their interview presentation. They have an MD and a DO program there.

 

[JM26]

Great Family medicine program?
Easy - Marshall University.
Had a friend who went there attend a family medicine conference. After the keynote speaker (don't remember who it was but I will try to find out) was finished, students could ask questions. When my friend went up to ask her question, she was asked to first state where she goes to medical school. When she said Marshall, the speaker interrupted her to say, "Marshall? Stay where you are for residency - that program is phenomenal".