Chaning from FP to Rads/IR- info needed

[hartmanan]

Hopefully I can get some good insite. Any will be appreciated.

Currently I am a FP working in Florida and I've become disallusioned by primary care. I've been researching Radiology and like the physics/intellectual aspect of Radiolgy as well as the lifestyle and reimbursement. I'm not sure how hard it is to make the change and/or get accepted into a rads program. I scored 235/236 on part I and II of the USMLE and in the 97% on my FP board. I've been out 3 years and so I've lost some on my connections with my residency program.

Does anyone have any helpful info, suggestions? Does anyone have any insight into making such a change?

Thanks

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[hans19]

Hopefully I can get some good insite. Any will be appreciated.

Currently I am a FP working in Florida and I've become disallusioned by primary care. I've been researching Radiology and like the physics/intellectual aspect of Radiolgy as well as the lifestyle and reimbursement. I'm not sure how hard it is to make the change and/or get accepted into a rads program. I scored 235/236 on part I and II of the USMLE and in the 97% on my FP board. I've been out 3 years and so I've lost some on my connections with my residency program.

Does anyone have any helpful info, suggestions? Does anyone have any insight into making such a change?

Thanks

Your greatest obstacle is will be finding funding for your residency. Basically, medicare will give funding for one residency. There is a former FP in my class (R2) who was an Air Force doc, who is funded by the Air Force. However he will owe 4 years to the AF when he's done.

There are quite a few programs in the country that are approved for more # of spots (enough volume and faculty/spot) than the current number of residents that they have, its just that funding for those spots hasn't been secured.

However, last I heard the air force was phasing out this funding of second residencies. If you can secure the funding, there are many programs that would love to have you.

Good luck.
-Hans

 

[rs2006]

Hi,

Fourth yr med student here. Would like to here more about the "disillusionment" you describe in primary care-- how does the compensation system work and why is it that radiologists seem to get much better compensation for not doing much work (sorry radiologists)? Also, isn't it true that rads has one of the worse malpractice of all specialties? Thanks.

Hopefully I can get some good insite. Any will be appreciated.

Currently I am a FP working in Florida and I've become disallusioned by primary care. I've been researching Radiology and like the physics/intellectual aspect of Radiolgy as well as the lifestyle and reimbursement. I'm not sure how hard it is to make the change and/or get accepted into a rads program. I scored 235/236 on part I and II of the USMLE and in the 97% on my FP board. I've been out 3 years and so I've lost some on my connections with my residency program.

Does anyone have any helpful info, suggestions? Does anyone have any insight into making such a change?

Thanks

 

[hartmanan]

Hi,

Fourth yr med student here. Would like to here more about the "disillusionment" you describe in primary care-- how does the compensation system work and why is it that radiologists seem to get much better compensation for not doing much work (sorry radiologists)? Also, isn't it true that rads has one of the worse malpractice of all specialties? Thanks.

Family Medicine is not what is used to be. My productivity is watched weekly and I must produce a certain amount of RVU's in order to meet quota. All the proceedures I was trained to do (vasectomies, flex sigs, colposcopy, EGD's, ect . . .) I'm unable to do in a 15min time slot and if I don't routinely do them I lose the skills. Even though I have a broad understanding of most specialites, my patients think I'm a NP or PA and feel empowed/they deserve to see only specialist. The most rewarding experience I've had to date was working in a hospital in Ecuador where I was able to practice full scale medicine, in the U.S. every thing in going toward specialization and FP/IM is becomig more of just a conduit to specialists. Plus pay is low for the 50-60 hr work week.

 

[hartmanan]

Your greatest obstacle is will be finding funding for your residency. Basically, medicare will give funding for one residency. There is a former FP in my class (R2) who was an Air Force doc, who is funded by the Air Force. However he will owe 4 years to the AF when he's done.

There are quite a few programs in the country that are approved for more # of spots (enough volume and faculty/spot) than the current number of residents that they have, its just that funding for those spots hasn't been secured.

However, last I heard the air force was phasing out this funding of second residencies. If you can secure the funding, there are many programs that would love to have you.

Good luck.
-Hans

I'm currently in the Air Force and am counting down the time until I get out. Unfortunatly, the USAF didn't need radiologist when I was applying to residency but needed lots of FP's. What do you think the 'odds' are of a progarm picking up an 'extra' person or someone dropping out and then my taking their spot. If funding is the major issue, I probably won't be able to change specialty, which means that FP definatly is a dead end. Once you get in you can't get out. At least w/ IM you can do a fellowshp.

 

[f_w]

Merry Christmas everybody !

Here is a pamphlet from the AAMC about graduate medical education. It is not as bad as you think regarding the funding for a residency, basically the hospital will get about 20k less for you per year than for a fresh graduate (90k instead of 110k on average).

https://services.aamc.org/Publicati...1&cftoken=B06020B2-E11B-41E1-9E6B391A505043F4

If you did your residency IN the military (without medicare funding), your 'funding clock' probably hasn't even started yet. Apply for residencies, I am sure you will get replies (I am sure my former PD would hire you on the spot, he had a weak spot for flight surgeons and GMO's, a military FP would probably get the same preference treatment).

As for your scope of practice in FP: In order to practice everything you learnt, you probably have to go rural these days. I know of a group of 16 FPs in rural MN who do everything, the small surgical stuff, deliveries, c-sections, sigmoidoscopies the whole game. They all make decent money (mid 200s) live in cool houses on the lakes and love their job.

The other option is to go single practice. Look for a good location, build a clinic and put up your shingle. If you work for someone else, you often get a raw deal as a FP. If you run your own shop, only your abilities, personality and business sense determine your work environment (this is what my brother in law did. he has done well for himself and also loves his job).

Don't think your highly formalized military practice is a reflection of the entire field.