Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

The myths and truths about med-peds physicians

Andrea Lauffer, MD
Physician
January 2, 2019
1K Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

Yes, med-peds is a real residency! It is a real specialty! And it is a practicing profession by many physicians today! It can open doors for so many wonderful professional opportunities. It is a discipline that can provide patients and communities extremely comprehensive medical care. People need to know more about this unique and sometimes under-recognized field. And here is why:

Like many people today, I didn’t even know what med-peds was when I entered medical school. I remember chatting with some of my medical school friends about how foreign the term “med-peds” sounded.

I remember the first time I had to scrub in as a medical student. I was so scared I was going to scrub my hands the wrong way. I was so tense walking into the operating room. I was worried I was going to touch something I shouldn’t, walk somewhere I shouldn’t, or be in someone’s way. Being in the OR was probably one of the most stressful and unnatural places I found myself in. To this day, I admire all surgeons (including my husband) who feel at home working in the OR.

Thankfully, I learned very early I did not belong in the OR. Late into my third year of medical school, I gravitated toward internal medicine and pediatrics which were two of my favorite rotations.

Med-peds residency is a different type of residency, and after learning more about it, it was a perfect fit for me. I loved being able to learn how to care for newborns while at the same time learning how to administer palliative care to an elderly patient who was dying. We have intense training in the hospital setting, but we also have heavy outpatient clinical responsibilities as part of our residency curriculum. Each day was an adventure in residency. As a med-peds hospitalist today, I never walk away from a day at work thinking it was boring or mundane.

I write this article to hopefully bring more med-peds awareness and how valuable of a field it truly is. Even though it has been in existence for years, there are still misperceptions about med-peds among medical professionals and patients.

When I tell a patient I am a med-peds physician, they often only hear the word “peds,” and they automatically think I am trained only in pediatrics. I love getting to explain that in my profession, I get to learn all the complex medical illnesses that can occur from cradle to grave. I love the fact that when patients ask me questions, I am not only able to answer questions about their health, but I also can answer questions about their children and grandchildren’s health.

One of my favorite components of being a med-peds physician is the rich specialty knowledge that surrounds us in our practice. We get to discuss cases with cardiologists, pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, and many other specialists from both the pediatric and internal medicine worlds. We have close working relationships with these specialists often because we are working in the same internal medicine or pediatric department. I have grown as a physician and learned so much from both internal medicine and pediatric specialists in my career.

If there is one misperception that I want to obliterate about med-peds, it is the following: the question of truly being able to practice both. When I began to pursue a residency in med-peds, I did have some voice concern to me that I could never practice both. I was told I would never be able to “keep up” with both fields. This is 100 percent not true if one truly desires to practice both. With state CME requirements, pursuing dual board certification/recertification, meeting MOC requirements, and the vast resources at our fingertips with smartphones, keeping up is not an issue today. On social media, I often see multiple times a week various medical articles posted by both my pediatric and internal medicine colleagues. I have a medical app that sends me notices on my phone about the latest and greatest guidelines/medications for various diseases. Keeping up with both fields is easier than ever compared to the early days of med-peds.

Another misperception I want to address is that we as med-peds physicians pursue this residency because we are unsure of what we want to do with the rest of our lives. It’s the “undecided” major in the medical residency world. While this may be true for some, many of my med-peds physician friends and I knew exactly what we were doing. We were hungry for a broad knowledge of medicine. We were eager to train and learn how to care for the sickest patients no matter what age. We spent months in the NICU, PICU, and MICU during our training. Whether we ended up as intensivists, hospitalists, specialists, or outpatient physicians, being trained as a med-peds physician prepared us greatly for independent practice.

Yes, a med-peds residency is four years long (the longest training in primary care medicine). Yes, you have to take two board certifications at the end of residency. You have MOC and CME requirements necessary for both fields. Perhaps that is a deterrent for some. For me, it was never a deterrent. I love being able to treat COPD and diagnose pyloric stenosis in any given day (maybe even the same day)!

It’s time to shine a brighter light on the value of training and having med-peds physicians practicing in our communities.

We have a physician shortage at our doorstep in this country. The med-peds physician is going to be an invaluable physician as the crisis becomes prominent. We are two physicians in one. And with those who pursue specialty training, we may be three or four physicians in one.

If you are a patient looking for a new doctor for you and your family, look into finding a local med-peds physician. If you are a local community hospital needing a physician to care for both children and adults, take a closer look at the med-peds physician’s CV. And if you are a medical student looking for a field that is cerebrally rich and prepares you to treat and manage a simple hangnail or neonatal sepsis at a moment’s notice, this field is calling your name.

Andrea Lauffer is a hospitalist.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Prev

My family was traumatized twice by the death of my dad

January 2, 2019 Kevin 1
…
Next

Go quiet into the night

January 2, 2019 Kevin 0
…

Tagged as: Hospital-Based Medicine, Pediatrics

Post navigation

< Previous Post
My family was traumatized twice by the death of my dad
Next Post >
Go quiet into the night

More by Andrea Lauffer, MD

  • You must make a good first impression with patients

    Andrea Lauffer, MD
  • Advice from a “xennial” physician to aspiring physicians

    Andrea Lauffer, MD
  • We are in danger of hospitals no longer being safe havens

    Andrea Lauffer, MD

Related Posts

  • Are patients using social media to attack physicians?

    David R. Stukus, MD
  • The risk physicians take when going on social media

    Anonymous
  • Beware of pseudoscience: The desperate need for physicians on social media

    Valerie A. Jones, MD
  • When physicians are cyberbullied: an interview with ZDoggMD

    Monique Tello, MD
  • Surprising and unlikely rewards of social media engagement by physicians

    Lisa Chan, MD
  • Physicians who don’t play the social media game may be left behind

    Xrayvsn, MD

More in Physician

  • The essence of health narratives, including poetry

    Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA
  • Discover the power of patience

    Diane W. Shannon, MD, MPH
  • Doctors rediscover joy in practicing medicine, on their own terms

    Kim Downey, PT
  • Physician return-to-work policies

    Deepak Gupta, MD
  • How my patients’ Zoom backgrounds made me a better doctor

    Joseph Barrera, MD
  • Understanding reproductive rights: complex considerations

    Anonymous
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Challenging the diagnosis: dehydration or bias?

      Sydney Lou Bonnick, MD | Physician
    • A teenager’s perspective: the pressing need for mental health days in schools

      Ruhi Saldanha | Conditions
    • Understanding reproductive rights: complex considerations

      Anonymous | Physician
    • COVID-19 unleashed an ongoing crisis of delirium in hospitals

      Christina Reppas-Rindlisbacher, MD, Nathan Stall, MD, and Paula Rochon, MD | Conditions
    • Air quality alert: Reducing our carbon footprint in health care

      Shreya Aggarwal, MD | Conditions
    • America’s young men are facing a mental health crisis. Can we help them before it’s too late?

      Henna Hundal and Karan Patel | Conditions
  • Past 6 Months

    • Medical gaslighting: a growing challenge in today’s medical landscape

      Tami Burdick | Conditions
    • I want to be a doctor who can provide care for women: What states must I rule out for my medical education?

      Nandini Erodula | Education
    • Balancing opioid medication in chronic pain

      L. Joseph Parker, MD | Conditions
    • Unveiling excessive medical billing and greed

      Amol Saxena, DPM, MPH | Policy
    • The erosion of patient care

      Laura de la Torre, MD | Physician
    • I’m a doctor, and I almost died during childbirth

      Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • America’s young men are facing a mental health crisis. Can we help them before it’s too late?

      Henna Hundal and Karan Patel | Conditions
    • When physicians are disrespected [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Addressing dual diagnosis needs in addiction treatment

      Susan Hertz Berrick, EdD | Conditions
    • The essence of health narratives, including poetry

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Physician
    • Discover the power of patience

      Diane W. Shannon, MD, MPH | Physician
    • Doctors rediscover joy in practicing medicine, on their own terms

      Kim Downey, PT | Physician

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 1 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • Novavax's Updated COVID Shot Authorized by FDA
  • SBRT Noninferior to Conventional RT for Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer
  • Mixed Bag for Early Metformin in Gestational Diabetes
  • FDA Advisors to Consider DFMO Maintenance for High-Risk Neuroblastoma in Kids
  • Adding Tirzepatide to Basal Insulin Cuts HbA1c in Poorly Controlled T2D

Meeting Coverage

  • SBRT Noninferior to Conventional RT for Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer
  • Mixed Bag for Early Metformin in Gestational Diabetes
  • Adding Tirzepatide to Basal Insulin Cuts HbA1c in Poorly Controlled T2D
  • Low Relapse Rates With Twice-Yearly Schizophrenia Treatment
  • Menopause Can Negatively Affect Women's Careers
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Challenging the diagnosis: dehydration or bias?

      Sydney Lou Bonnick, MD | Physician
    • A teenager’s perspective: the pressing need for mental health days in schools

      Ruhi Saldanha | Conditions
    • Understanding reproductive rights: complex considerations

      Anonymous | Physician
    • COVID-19 unleashed an ongoing crisis of delirium in hospitals

      Christina Reppas-Rindlisbacher, MD, Nathan Stall, MD, and Paula Rochon, MD | Conditions
    • Air quality alert: Reducing our carbon footprint in health care

      Shreya Aggarwal, MD | Conditions
    • America’s young men are facing a mental health crisis. Can we help them before it’s too late?

      Henna Hundal and Karan Patel | Conditions
  • Past 6 Months

    • Medical gaslighting: a growing challenge in today’s medical landscape

      Tami Burdick | Conditions
    • I want to be a doctor who can provide care for women: What states must I rule out for my medical education?

      Nandini Erodula | Education
    • Balancing opioid medication in chronic pain

      L. Joseph Parker, MD | Conditions
    • Unveiling excessive medical billing and greed

      Amol Saxena, DPM, MPH | Policy
    • The erosion of patient care

      Laura de la Torre, MD | Physician
    • I’m a doctor, and I almost died during childbirth

      Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • America’s young men are facing a mental health crisis. Can we help them before it’s too late?

      Henna Hundal and Karan Patel | Conditions
    • When physicians are disrespected [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Addressing dual diagnosis needs in addiction treatment

      Susan Hertz Berrick, EdD | Conditions
    • The essence of health narratives, including poetry

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Physician
    • Discover the power of patience

      Diane W. Shannon, MD, MPH | Physician
    • Doctors rediscover joy in practicing medicine, on their own terms

      Kim Downey, PT | Physician

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

The myths and truths about med-peds physicians
1 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...