BombSquad Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 Can someone shed some light on what life as an internist looks like? I realize that there is broad variety between the subspecialties. I'd be particularly interested to hear what life is like for General internists at community hospitals. I'm wondering about: -Hours worked per week -Hours on call per week -Pay -Job outlook Thank you in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 Since we're on the topic of internal medicine, I'd like to add a few more questions... They must get patients referred to them, right? So what's there to stop the fam doc from hoarding all the patients? I'm aware that internists typically sub-specialize but couldn't the fam doc just refer them to an actual cardiologist, neurologist, etc.? I guess my question is what do internists do that other docs can't? Excuse my ignorance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorelan Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 Since we're on the topic of internal medicine, I'd like to add a few more questions... They must get patients referred to them, right? So what's there to stop the fam doc from hoarding all the patients? I'm aware that internists typically sub-specialize but couldn't the fam doc just refer them to an actual cardiologist, neurologist, etc.? I guess my question is what do internists do that other docs can't? Excuse my ignorance! Not a general internist of course but for one thing there simply may not be an subspecialist anywhere near the patient - a general internist maybe managing an area. Plus there are a lot of areas where the general internist may actually be the more logical choice - the patient could be complex and have more than one pathology, or the general internist can develop a rep for a being skilled in a particular area. Since family medicine is pretty broad in theory it can "hoard" things - but really if the patient is beyond a certain level of complexity why would they? The appointments for one thing are billed at fixed rate so if you take too long you have an issue, it may be outside of their skill level, the patient may request access to a specialist...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carazadie Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 Pretty tough to give exact numbers because it is so variable even among different internists depending on how their practice is set up, how the hospital service operates, how the call group organizes itself, whether or not they have residents to help them, etc. And it can vary throughout the year. My community hospital gets extremely busy in the winter months, with internists sometimes working 10 hours/day, while in less busy months they might work 7 or 8 hours/day. For outpatient clinics they can probably set their own hours. Shortage of patients is not really an issue, as far as I know. Most FM docs are happy to refer patients who are beyond their scope of complexity or interest. Also, internists will often follow up with patients who were under their care in the hospital. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Organomegaly Posted June 15, 2015 Report Share Posted June 15, 2015 Can anyone comment on the job outlook for GIM? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleDaisy Posted December 6, 2015 Report Share Posted December 6, 2015 Can anyone comment on the competitivity of geriatrics for subspeciality match? I discovered my passion to work with the elderly during the beginning of my clerkship, I was quite shocked myself. How is the job market for geriatrics in Canada? I would like to remain in the academic university hospital if possible, love teaching and research Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mononoke Posted December 6, 2015 Report Share Posted December 6, 2015 Can anyone comment on the competitivity of geriatrics for subspeciality match? I discovered my passion to work with the elderly during the beginning of my clerkship, I was quite shocked myself. How is the job market for geriatrics in Canada? I would like to remain in the academic university hospital if possible, love teaching and research The job market for geriatrics is extremely good, there is a shortage of geriatricians. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samy Posted December 6, 2015 Report Share Posted December 6, 2015 With the aging population, I expect an increase in demand over the next decades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.