Questions about IM subspecialty match and practice

[StudentInMedicine]

1) How does the subspecialty match in IM work? Is it like CaRMS and you can apply to multiple subspecialties, or do you have to only go for one?

2) What happens if you go unmatched for IM subspecialty match? Is there a possibility of trying to match to that subspecialty again the next year?

3) Can subspecialists other than GIM folks still do GIM type of work if they so desire? I'm imagining a cardiologist who's new to the market and can't find full-time work and might want to do some general IM work in the meantime, or who feels like they need a breath of fresh air 10 years into their career and want to do some stuff other than pure cardiology. Is that possible and realistic? Does this depend on urban VS rural, academic VS community?

Thank you!

[Maruo]

On 9/28/2020 at 1:45 PM, StudentInMedicine said:

1) How does the subspecialty match in IM work? Is it like CaRMS and you can apply to multiple subspecialties, or do you have to only go for one?

2) What happens if you go unmatched for IM subspecialty match? Is there a possibility of trying to match to that subspecialty again the next year?

3) Can subspecialists other than GIM folks still do GIM type of work if they so desire? I'm imagining a cardiologist who's new to the market and can't find full-time work and might want to do some general IM work in the meantime, or who feels like they need a breath of fresh air 10 years into their career and want to do some stuff other than pure cardiology. Is that possible and realistic? Does this depend on urban VS rural, academic VS community?

Thank you!

Although a practicing internist is probably best to answer, I'll chime in with my thoughts since no one has replied thusfar. Corrections welcome.

 

1. It is the same, but people generally only apply to 1-2 subspecialties. Commonly people apply to a primary (say, cardio or geri) with a 5 year GIM program as a backup.

2. Unmatched residents continue in their home program for a 4th year to become a general internist. They typically end up working in the community. Some folks in this boat will secure funding for another year of training and sorta become a 5 year GIM. I have not heard of anyone matching again after the fact (and perhaps it's actually not possible at all)

3. Hmm.. I can't really answer this one. I know I've seen some attendings from Resp do CA work in the ICU. Some specialists also work on CTU/MTU but my understanding is that this is being phased out in favour of 5 year GIM's. 

[JohnGrisham]

3 hours ago, Maruo said:

3) Can subspecialists other than GIM folks still do GIM type of work if they so desire? I'm imagining a cardiologist who's new to the market and can't find full-time work and might want to do some general IM work in the meantime, or who feels like they need a breath of fresh air 10 years into their career and want to do some stuff other than pure cardiology. Is that possible and realistic? Does this depend on urban VS rural, academic VS community?

Kinda, cardiologists and respirologist at my centre do CTU work all the time, because they don't have enough work. Academic centre though, not really doing GIM work at community hospitals AFAIk.

[ACHQ]

On 9/28/2020 at 4:45 PM, StudentInMedicine said:

3) Can subspecialists other than GIM folks still do GIM type of work if they so desire? I'm imagining a cardiologist who's new to the market and can't find full-time work and might want to do some general IM work in the meantime, or who feels like they need a breath of fresh air 10 years into their career and want to do some stuff other than pure cardiology. Is that possible and realistic? Does this depend on urban VS rural, academic VS community?

Thank you!

Depends on location and need. Definitely able to do locum ER shifts anywhere as a subspecialists (given the need) and some centres do require subspecialist do to ER IM coverage as welll.

Some people like to split there time between GIM and subspecialty but this is becoming less and less common for a variety of reasons (that I wont go into here cause its a long discussion)