Choosing a career in combined internal medicine-pediatrics: insights from interns.
BACKGROUND
Combined internal medicine-pediatrics (med-peds) programs may be competing for the same students who would have otherwise chosen family medicine. The degree to which this is happening is not known.


METHODS
We sent an eight-item questionnaire to new med-peds interns to assess their career plans at different stages of their decision making. Questionnaires were mailed to the directors of all US med-peds programs in 2002.


RESULTS
A total of 288/333 (87%) responded. The med-peds interns were more likely to be interested in internal medicine or pediatrics than they were in family medicine. If med-peds were not available, only 52/286 (18%) would have chosen family medicine as an alternative. A total of 55/288 (19%) anticipated practicing in rural areas.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of med-peds interns would have chosen internal medicine or pediatrics if med-peds was not available. A small percentage would have chosen family medicine, thus having a minor impact on recruitment. An even smaller proportion would have chosen a non-primary care specialty. A sizable number anticipate practicing in rural areas.
Melgar
Thomas
T
Department of Internal Medicine, Michigan State University, Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies, 1000 Oakland Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USA. melgar@kcms.msu.edu
Frohna
John G
JG
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D034742:Electronic Mail; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000193:education*; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D008486:Physician Executives; D019035:Rural Health Services; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D019037:Urban Health Services; D000078329:Workforce