which way is better?

[cet]

I like both EM and FM, and am trying to determine if it is easier to train and work as a family doc and do a few days a week in a small rural ED or the other way around.....Train in EM but work part time at a Family Practice office. I would like to do both even tho i know it is not traditional.

so maybe you can answer my question. Which residency EM or FP would then allow me an easier transition into doing both?

I know an EM trained doc that recently tried to get a job at a Family practice office after his burnout of 15 years. the HMOs wanted to know how many admissions he had since graduating med school. he had none in 15 years of working in the ED and the HMOs said sorry thanks but we wont reimburse you as an FP. yikes. but then I know in the rural area where i am, at the tiny hospitals, the Family docs cover the ER on home call. anyone with experience, let me know. thanks.

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[deleted6669]

if you decide to go D.O. you could do an EM/FP residency in ohio, new york city, or detroit. the programs are 5 years long and lead to dual board certification.

 

[secretwave101]

I'm not there yet, but from what I've heard your best bet is going FP and working in an ER if possible.

EM training is specialized to acute care, and avoids training in the care of chronic problems like Diabetes, RA and Heart Disease. Of course, EM docs are specialists at recognizing and treating the critical sx of these diseases, but get limited training in the long-term management of them.

On the flip-side, FP's still regularly work in ER's where there isn't adaquate coverage by ER docs (mostly rural and small towns). However, a hospital will almost always hire a doc who is BC in EM over an FP, and if you're working in a growing town it will only be a matter of time until this is the case.

So, imho, you should go FP and shoot for ER work at the beginning, and always plan on the possibility that at some point you will head into FP care. Hopefully, you'll be burned out with ER work by then anyway.

Or go DO like the other poster said