By Bright Zhou, MD, MS
Most of us choose Family Medicine for the meaningful long-term relationships we form with our communities in the outpatient setting. However, did y’all know that 37% of new graduates also practice inpatient medicine? As a new attending physician practicing at both a community hospital and at an academic, tertiary care hospital, I’d love to share a few reasons for why I chose to continue inpatient medicine.
Underneath the flurry of consults, notes, and orders, there’s joy that comes from slow learning through acuity. Compared to the clinic’s fast pace, there’s generally ample time to review literature, discuss cases with consultants, teach and think through algorithms in inpatient medicine. By tracking a patient’s blood pressure or sugar fluctuations, I also sharpen my outpatient understanding of how medications can influence a patient’s vital signs. I can advocate for patients by flexing my FM strengths in the musculoskeletal exam, management of psychopharmacology, procedures, goals of care conversations, knowledge of community resources, and care coordination. Finally, the flexibility of hospital medicine as shift-based work can also free up time to pursue other passions outside of medicine, without the burden of extensive inbox management or paperwork.
Folks who are interested in continuing or transitioning their work in hospital medicine as new grads may find it useful to first review the American Academy of Family Physicians and Society of Hospital Medicine’s excellent lists of core competencies. Consider attending conferences to brush up on inpatient skills and identify hospitals that historically have hired FM hospitalists. Academic family medicine positions can also provide systemic support for coordinating hospital credentialing, scheduling, and Continuing Medical Education. If you feel that you can benefit from more training, look into FM hospitalist fellowship opportunities.
Inpatient medicine helps to vary and enhance my practice. If this sounds interesting to you, I look forward to having you join me in the world of inpatient medicine!
American Board of Family Medicine, Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors 2023 https://www.theabfm.org/app/uploads/2024/03/2023-National-Graduate-Survey-Report_NationalOnly.pdf
American Academy of Family Physicians Core Competencies
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/topics/by-topic.inpatient-medicine.html
Society of Hospital Medicine Core Competencies. https://www.hospitalmedicine.org/professional-development/core-competencies/
