Internal Medicine

Doing research is not necessary for a successful match in Internal Medicine Residency.  However, it is looked upon positively.  Some of the most competitive training programs do look for an applicant to have experience doing research.  Research is something that is often necessary when applying for the most competitive subspecialty fellowships in Internal Medicine, e.g. Cardiology, Gastroenterology.
Research does not have to be specialty specific.  There are many opportunities within the Department of Medicine at Drexel for students to get involved in Research.  The Pathway Director can steer you toward potential research mentors.

Research opportunities may be available in our department. Contact the pathway advisor.

Shadowing opportunities in Internal Medicine are available through the Internal Medicine Interest Group.  Opportunities range from observing procedures, to shadowing General Internal Medicine inpatient rounds, to shadowing General Internists in the ambulatory setting, to shadowing subspecialists during inpatient rounds or in the ambulatory setting.  Sign-up is done on-line via the Internal Medicine Interest Group.

Internal Medicine programs do not expect candidates to do rotations at their site in order to match at the program.  Away rotations can help students assess a site to determine if it is a good match for them.  In addition, strong performance at an away site can possibly help a student to get an interview at a program or even match in a program where they otherwise would not have.  However, students should be cautioned that it can work in the reverse as well.  You never know who your attending will be, whether it will be a good match for you, whether the rotation is a good one, etc.

Multiple career opportunities exist after training. One can choose to practice primary internal medicine in the office setting, as a hospitalist in the inpatient setting, or in any one of the medicine sub-specialties.

The career-life balance is variable depending on the chosen specialty and personal preference. Some can join a practice and choose to work part-time while raising a family. Other can choose a day job typically 8-5/ This is also an option to do shift work as a hospitalist.

The American College fo Physicians is a good resource.

Students can join the Medicine Interest Group. Shadowing is the best way to explore this career.

It is important for internists to be organized and be detail oriented. It is necessary to have good communitication and listening skills.

Fourth year scheduling:

• It is best to schedule the Medicine Subinternship in Blocks 1 or 2 of Fourth year so that your evaluation is part of your Residency application.  This rotation, as well as a letter of recommendation from your attending during this rotation, are valued by Internal Medicine Program Directors.  Subinternships in the Medical Intensive Care Unit are also valued in addition to the Medicine Subinternship or even in lieu of it if you are unable to get the Medicine Subinternship in the first couple of blocks.
• Medicine electives are also advantageous if scheduled in the first few blocks.  These are rotations in which students are likely to have a good amount of face-to-face contact with attending and therefore lend themselves well for letters of recommendation.

Interview Timing:

• Internal Medicine interview season usually begins slowly the second or third week of November for most programs. It peaks in December and the first couple of weeks of January.  The best block(s) to take off for interviewing are Block 6 or Block 7.