How I Chose My Specialty (Internal Medicine)

[@sunn129]

Liked as soon as you told , "because I hated everything else " 🤣🤣🤣

[@zoeonyango7287]

I have been looking forward to this for such a long time! Thank you!

[@MarcKatzMD]

Thanks for following! Hope it helps

[@iBlackBolt]

Subscribed! Nice video Dr. Katz. I hope to see many more.

[@zachmd8325]

I have no idea why I love to be a cardiologist and I haven’t been experienced into that specialty but as i always heard it’s a cool one and my family wanted me to be a cardiologist. I’m stuck between what if I can’t pass to that specialty and what should I do if I’m in the IM.

[@pappudeb]

Is it possible to have a good work life balance as a cardiologist and also be financially well-off? I am an MS-IV med student applying for IM but definitely don't want to be one of those docs who are married to medicine and has no other hobbies besides work!

[@MarcKatzMD]

waspopping finding that balance is super tough in a lot of specialties including cardiology. But it’s possible! I’m still not an attending so I can only speak from my experience as a resident and fellow. So I would suggest not waiting to be an attending to try and find that balance- even as a med student! It will only get tougher as you progress in training so start finding that balance now. It’s too easy to get lost in medicine so keep up with your hobbies too

[@PaLaa]

Did you know when you went into IM, you wanted to go onto Cardio? Interested in Endo but I've heard IM residencies are soul crushing, worried I'll burn out and end up not going onto a specialty. Also lol agree with everything, minus peds - kids are great unfortunately, ped physicals & work ups leave a lot to be desired in my opinion.

[@MarcKatzMD]

I had a feeling I wanted to specialize but knew I’d be happy to be a hospitalist too. Unfortunately every residency can be soul crushing because modern residency training is ROUGH. So a good idea to find a specialty you’d be happy practicing in if you don’t end up specializing

[@PaLaa]

​@@MarcKatzMD You saying every residency can be equally as hard, made me realize I would much rather rough it out in IM then some of my second considerations. I enjoy IM and if I can't specialize, I'd be comparatively happy to be an IM PCP. Thanks for taking the time to reply, your advice and lol honesty was helpful.

[@tinabee4195]

I want to do internal medicine and later do a fellowship of cardiology

[@MarcKatzMD]

Good luck!

[@sobialaghari225]

Very good advice

[@picfunmedicosis1187]

I also selected Internal Medicine

[@Letitgonow]

Could you elaborate more on why you chose Internal Medicine over Family Medicine? They are both very similar so how did you finally choose? What factors came into play?

[@MarcKatzMD]

I knew I wanted to specialize and the specialties within family medicine are quite limited. You cannot specialize in fields like cardiology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, pulmonary/critical care, heme/onc etc. if you are a family medicine physician. I admire family medicine physicians because they can see and treat an array of outpatient patients including obstetrics and gynecology to a certain extent. I initially wanted to be a family medicine physician. But I chose IM because I did not end up enjoying family medicine in practice during my clinical rotations and felt an inclination that I wanted to specialize

[@Letitgonow]

@@MarcKatzMD Thanks for clarifying that and that does make sense. If it is okay to ask, why did you choose to go the MD route instead of the PA route?

[@AfroMedic]

Bro I'm trying to pass my genetics exams, how much genetics was in the MCAT. I also know I wanna be in internal medicine it's my idea of being a doctor since childhood.

[@MarcKatzMD]

Uh, I took the MCAT about 10 years ago. Back then? Not much. But I am fairly certain they have revamped the test and changes premed requirements. So unfortunately..I have no idea

[@ARZene9]

Could you talk about how you actually go about switching residencies? What is the process like? What are the difficulties? Is that looked negatively upon by program directors? If someone matches into a categorical IM program they don't like, can they switch to a different categorical IM program?

[@MarcKatzMD]

Abdogames generally to switch residency programs within the same specialty there must be an open spot. It is not the same as applying to the residency match all over again. If you want to switch specialties altogether then you generally have to enter the match again. That involves getting your documents together and appropriate letters of recommendation while working as a resident. It is not impossible just challenging. It’s also something that people do. Sometimes you discover you don’t love the specialty you chose and want to change. In particular surgery is the specialty with the most number of residents who drop out or transfer from it yearly. Overall, it’s not the end of the world if you want to change specialty or program. My advise is to avoid it if you can but if you are unhappy and want to make a change then make sure you communicate with your program leadership and hopefully they are supportive

[@mazoonachann5298]

I’m studying forensic science and pharmaceutical sciences is it possible I can master in internal medicine or family medicine?

[@MarcKatzMD]

Internal and family medicine are medical specialties that require you to complete medical school. So you certainly can! You just have to go to medical school first

[@谢钦-b9b]

Definitely helpful for making personal decisions on choosing a specialty, however, when interviewing for a residency application, you cannot say that "because I don't enjoy anything else", right?🤣

[@MarcKatzMD]

@@谢钦-b9b ha most definitely. I think I recall on interviews saying something about enjoying the basics of medicine, being able to have the combination of inpatient acute care, and being able to be someone’s primary doctor in the outpatient setting

[@farahyasser2669]

What do you think about career progression in internal medicine and salaries ? I care about improving and learning so just wanted to know if becoming a specialist is possible after IM

[@MarcKatzMD]

I’m not sure what you mean

[@farahyasser2669]

@@MarcKatzMD sorry if I wasn’t clear I meant are there good opportunities for fellowships ?

[@MarcKatzMD]

@@farahyasser2669 definitely! Long range of fellowships available after internal medicine. Google ‘internal medicine specialties’ and you can see

[@razanalneel6459]

At some point in the vedio u said that you Dont wona talk about ur self 😭plz talk about ur self i mean ineed ur own story bc u really sameller to me Am still struggling cause Am to sick of the exaustion that in medicine resedency plus that in my country it too hard to pass the board exam all briliant doc iknow have fail so Am saying 2 my self (u girl forget it!) so again Am return to the same self war famil medicine er or internal!! Any way Thank u 🌟!

[@flashbaq23]

If you decide to be and internist and decide to not specialize, can you specialize later ? Or is it a one and done type deal ?

[@MarcKatzMD]

juan cuello you can apply to a specialty at any point after residency

[@dipset4016]

Did this man say “gross”?

[@pallabsamanta3884]

Ha

[@mandalorian4620]

Secret-hitler? What game is this? Lol

[@MarcKatzMD]

Really fun game. Similar to Mafia. Highly recommend

[@mandalorian4620]

@@MarcKatzMD I'm from Germany, 100% doesnt exist here :D

[@MarcKatzMD]

@@mandalorian4620 The Resistance is a similarly fun game. Also a huge fan of Settlers of Catan 🇩🇪

[@mandalorian4620]

@@MarcKatzMD I get nostalgic when thinking about settlers of catan, played it a lot as a child! Risk was a big one as well

[@MarcKatzMD]

@@mandalorian4620 Got any sheep? Can trade lumbar 🐑 🪵 😆