In residency, and speaking in general (since there are always exceptions in both FM and IM programs, e.g., IM primary care tracks): 1. FM learns more (outpatient) procedures than IM. IM can learn procedures after or outside of residency (e.g. workshops), but again I can only speak in general. 2. FM residency not only learns more peds and OB, but also some ortho, MSK, derm, ophtho, and a few other things that IM doesn’t. 3. IM tends to have more complex adult patients and a broader and deeper knowledge base of adult inpatient medicine.
I was stuck choosing between IM and FM. I chose FM because I don’t want to see only adults. I enjoy seeing pediatric patients and I absolutely loved my OB rotation. I don’t want to limit myself and variety is very important to me. If I did IM, I’d probably have to do a fellowship but at that point, I’d rather go into a surgical specialty considering the duration of training is similar. Lastly, you can do a lot of different fellowships in FM and that is very attractive to me.
