Pediatrics in urban centre

[Majestic82]

Hey everyone,

 

I am interested in both family medicine and pediatrics, and I want to be able to work with children in my future practice. My question is, if I practice in a large urban Canadian city (like Toronto), will I be able to see children as a family doctor?

 

The reason why I am asking is because I know that the current trend in Canada today is to have pediatricians deal with really sick children in the hospital, and to leave primary care pediatrics to the family doctor. However, given that a fair number of pediatricians in large cities still practice primary care pediatrics, is it reasonable to assume that such a situtation will continue for the next forseeable future? And if this is the case, does this mean that if I want to be a primary care doctor for children in a large city, would it be "safer" to choose pediatrics as a specialty?

 

Thank you.

[Valentine]

My advice is to avoid FM if you want to work in a larger urban center.

 

In large cities, FPs generally do the maintenance work and well baby visits only. Any interesting or vital illnesses that arise become the domain of the pediatric specialist.

 

The only way to do FP interestingly is to do it in a small area where YOU are THE doc.

 

So, my advice is to do pediatrics.

[White-Tiger]

I guess that depends on what is interesting to you, no?

Some people prefer seeing relatively healthy children and working mainly on prevention, in which case an FP position would be ideal... Not to mention that as an FP you'll get more opportunities to build a lasting relationship with the entire family...