Choosing A Medical Specialty Resource Guide

S P E C I A LT Y
Choosing a
Medical Specialty:
The AMAs Resource Guide
for Medical Students
4th Edition
Designed to simplify medical students use of resources

in choosing a specialty
Highlights the major specialties and subspecialties
Includes Match data and career information statistics
The practice of medicine is an art,

not a trade; a calling, not a business;
a calling in which your heart will
be exercised equally with your head.
Sir William Osler, MD
<< Back to table of contents
Choosing a
Medical Specialty:
The AMAs Resource Guide
for Medical Students
4th Edition
Designed to simplify medical students use of resources

in choosing a specialty
Highlights the major specialties and subspecialties
Includes Match data and career information statistics
Acknowledgments
Sources
The American Medical Association would like to acknowledge

the following individuals, organizations and other sources for their
contribution to the development of Choosing a Medical Specialty:
The AMAs Resource Guide for Medical Students, 4th Edition.
Sources for the information and data include:
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

American Society of Anesthesiologists
American Academy of Dermatology
American College of Emergency Physicians
American Academy of Emergency Medicine
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
American College of Physicians
American College of Cardiology
Society of Critical Care Medicine
Endocrine Society
American Gastroenterological Association
American Geriatrics Society
American Society of Hematology
Infectious Diseases Society of America
American Society of Clinical Oncology
American Thoracic Society
American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST)
American College of Rheumatology
American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics
American Academy of Neurology
Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
American Academy of Ophthalmology
American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
American Academy of Pain Medicine
College of American Pathologists
American Society for Clinical Pathology
American Society of Cytopathology
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
American College of Preventive Medicine
American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
American Psychiatric Association
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
American Society for Radiation Oncology
American College of Radiology
American College of Surgeons
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
American Association of Neurological Surgeons
American Orthopaedic Association
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Society for Vascular Surgery
American Urological Association
This publication is provided by the American Medical Association (AMA) for
informational and reference purposes only and should not be construed as
the advice of the AMA.
Although the AMA works diligently to supply reliable information, the AMA
does not warrant that the information in this publication is in every respect
accurate and complete. Users are cautioned to independently verify the
correctness of information contained in this publication. AMA expressly
disclaims responsibility for any consequences, decisions, judgments or
results attributable to or related to any uses, non-uses or interpretations
of information or data contained in or not contained in this publication.
This publication includes links to third-party websites that are not under
the control of the AMA, and, therefore, the AMA assumes no responsibility
for another partys website content. Inclusion of any third-party information
does not imply endorsement by the AMA.
ABMS Guide to Medical Specialties. Copyright 2013 Elsevier,

Inc. and the American Board of Medical Specialties. All Rights
Reserved.
National Resident Matching Program, Results and Data: 2014
Main Residency Match. National Resident Matching Program,
Washington, DC. 2014.

* Includes all positions offered in a specialty, except preliminary positions.
Preferred means the number of applicants for whom the specialty was
the only or first choice.
National Resident Matching Program, Results and Data:

Specialties Matching Service 2014 Appointment Year.
National Resident Matching Program, Washington, DC. 2014.
FREIDA Online program data accessed at
ama-assn.org/go/freida
Copyright 2014 American Medical Association.
All Rights Reserved.
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
2015 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
We congratulate you as you take the next, exciting

steps in your career.
Now that your medical school experience is underway, and as you prepare for the next
stage of your training, we commend your decision to commit to this profession and to
the work that you will do to help patients throughout your career.
To help ensure you have the information you need to make your next move with
confidence, the American Medical Association offers Choosing a Medical Specialty: The
AMAs Resource Guide for Medical Students, fourth edition, which features the most
current, approachable overview of nearly 50 specialties and subspecialties to assist you
in choosing a career path. In addition, this updated version includes general residency
application key dates to help you prepare for the application process.
As the largest and most influential organization of physicians and medical students,
the AMA provides support and opportunities that span all career stages, specialties and
practice settings. We provide many ways for you to learn, grow professionally and have an
impact on medicinefrom nationwide networking to grassroots lobbying, from getting
involved with the AMA Foundation to participating in a broad range of committees and
councils. You are welcome to participate in the AMA now and in the future.
In addition to this guide, take advantage of these key AMA resources as you move forward:
The JAMA Network
FREIDA Online, your source for residency training program information
Succeeding from medical school to practice online guide
We thank you for being a part of the AMA. Your personal involvement makes a difference
for the professionnow and throughout your career.
We wish you continued success.
The American Medical Association
Table of Contents
What is FREIDA Online, and How Can I Use It?
General Residency Application Key Dates
Residency Length of Training
Allergy and Immunology
Orthopaedic Surgery
Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
71
73
Otolaryngology
75
Pain Medicine
77
Anesthesiology
12
Pathology
Cytopathology
79
82
Dermatology
15
Pediatrics
84
Emergency Medicine
18
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
87
Family Medicine
21
Plastic Surgery
90
Hospice and Palliative Medicine
23
Internal Medicine
Cardiovascular Disease
Critical Care Medicine
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Gastroenterology
Geriatric Medicine
Hematology
Infectious Diseases
Interventional Cardiology
Nephrology
Oncology
Pulmonary Disease
Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine
Rheumatology
26
28
31
33
35
37
39
42
45
47
48
51
53
55
Preventive Medicine
Occupational Medicine
General Preventive Medicine and
Public Health
93
95
Psychiatry
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
98
100
Radiation Oncology
103
RadiologyDiagnostic
106
Sleep Medicine
109
Medical Genetics
58
Neurology
61
111
113
115
118
119
122
Nuclear Medicine
64
SurgeryGeneral
Colon and Rectal Surgery
Neurological Surgery
Pediatric Surgery
Thoracic Surgery
Vascular Surgery

Urology
Obstetrics and Gynecology
66
Professional Association Contact Information
129
Ophthalmology
69
Glossary of Terms
134
vi
96
126
What is FREIDA Online, and How Can I Use It?

FREIDA Online (or the Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database Access)
is the AMAs database of nearly 9,800 residency and fellowship graduate medical education
(GME) programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
(ACGME), as well as nearly 200 combined specialty programs. The information in FREIDA
Online is derived from the annual National GME Census, a collaborative survey from the
AMA and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), which is completed by
residency program directors and institutional officials.
To further aid your GME program research, we have included current available data from
FREIDA Online for each specialty and subspecialty listing in this resource. In the following
pages you will find up-to-date statistics on training programsincluding details on resident
work hours and working environmentsas well as stats on the career plans of recent
graduates.
You can use FREIDA Online to augment your training program research by going to
ama-assn.org/go/freida and signing on or creating your own AMA web account. You dont
have to be an AMA member to use FREIDA Online, but there are advantages. Once signed
on, search for programs across the United States by specialty, state, institution and other
optional criteria in keywords box to gain additional information about the affiliated training
institutions listed in this guide.
AMA members can save their search results into the Comparison List, and into their
Dashboard, to further compare and analyze programs of interest. Creating a Dashboard
allows you to store personal observations about your residency program research.
Learn more at ama-assn.org/go/freida or email FREIDA Online at freida@ama-assn.org.
General Residency Application Key Dates

M1 M2 Year
Research specialties of interest and seek

opportunities to gain clinical experience in your
specialty of interest.
Join special interest clubs at your school
Reach out to a physician in your specialty of
interest for shadowing opportunities
Start building your CV
Quick Links
FREIDA Online: ama-assn.org/go/freida
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC):
aamc.org
Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS):
aamc.org/students/medstudents/eras/
National Resident Matching Program (NRMP):
nrmp.org
M3 Year
Jan March
Access the AMAs FREIDA Online (ama-assn.org/
go/freida) to research nearly 9,800 GME programs
accredited by ACGME, as well as nearly 200 Boardapproved combined specialty programs
Prepare CV, personal statement, identify letter of

recommendation (LoR) authors
Seek mentor in interested field for application and

interview guidance
Need help finding a physician in your interested
field? Contact us at member.feedback@
ama-assn.org.
Contact the National Board of Medical Examiners
(NBME) to schedule your Step 2 CK and Step 2
CS exams
April May
AAMCs Electronic Residency Application Service
(ERAS) opens in April
Reference ERAS residency application checklist
(aamc.org/students/medstudents/eras/)
Confirm programs of interest are participating in
ERAS
Contact programs of interest for application
deadlines (ERAS does not set program application
deadlines)
Continue to narrow down programs of interest by
using FREIDA Online
Start working on MyERAS application

requirements
2
M4 Year
May June
Obtain an ERAS Electronic Token from your
Designated Deans Office (DDO)
Register for early match programs (if applicable)
June July (DO Applicants)
Register for the AOA Intern/Resident Registration
Program (the Match)
October January
Schedule and travel to interviews
Send thank you letters to program directors
Early match programs results released

Military results available in Dec.
SF match results available in Jan.
Urology match results available in Jan.
Ophthalmology match results available in Jan.
Select and apply to AOA-accredited residency

programs through ERAS
July August
Complete MyERAS profile and application
Ranking opens for NRMP Match and AOA Intern/

Resident Match in Jan.
Reference websites for deadlines to submit rank
order lists
February
Finalize letters of recommendation (LoR) authors.

Provide each LoR Author with their Letter Request
Form
AOA match results available

March
Apply for military positions (if applicable)
NRMP main residency match results available
September
Select and apply to ACGME-accredited residency
programs through ERAS
Register for the National Residency Matching
Program (NRMP) Match
Reference NRMP Match resources (nrmp.org/
residency/main-residency-match/)
Apply to SF Match (if applicable)
Apply for couples match (if applicable)

The following graphic and descriptive chart contains a list of specialties with the standard residency length
of training for each specialty.
Years of Training Required for Certification by Specialty Boards

1
67
Emergency Medicine
Family Medicine
Pediatrics
Subspecialties
Internal Medicine
Subspecialties
Obstetrics/Gynecology
Orthopaedic Surgery
Subspecialties
Otolaryngology
Subspecialties
Pathology
Subspecialties
General Surgery
Subspecialties
Urology
Anesthesiology
Dermatology
Transitional
or
Preliminary
Medicine
or
Preliminary
Surgery
Neurology
Nuclear Medicine
Medical Genetics
Ophthalmology
Physical Medicine
Psychiatry
RadiologyDiagnostic
RadiologyOncology

Data from Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
Specialty/Subspecialty
Prerequisites and Length of Training
Length
of ACGMEAccredited
Program
Prior completion of internal medicine or pediatrics program.
2 years
Anesthesiology
One clinical base year of GME (for 3-year program);

no GME required for 4-year program.
34 years
Dermatology
Prior to appointment in the program, residents must have

successfully completed a broad-based clinical year (PGY-1) in a
program, accredited by the ACGME, or in such a program located
in Canada and accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and 4 years
Surgeons of Canada, in emergency medicine, family medicine,
general surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology,
pediatrics, or the transitional year.
Emergency Medicine
No prerequisites required when entering programs with an

accredited length of 4 years. A broad-based clinical year of
training in an ACGME-accredited program is required when
entering a 3-year program.
34 years
Family Medicine
No prerequisites required.
3 years


Completion of an ACGME-accredited program in anesthesiology,

emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine,
neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, physical
medicine and rehabilitation, psychiatry, radiation oncology,
or surgery is required.
1 year
(Note: The Resident Review Committee for Family Medicine
reviews and accredits all hospice and palliative medicine
programs regardless of the sponsoring specialty of the
individual program.)
Internal Medicine
3 years
Completion of a 3-year ACGME-accredited residency program in

internal medicine is required.
3 years

2 years
Endocrinology, Diabetes and

Metabolism

2 years
Gastroenterology

3 years
Geriatric Medicine

1 year
Hematology

1 years
Infectious Disease

2 years

cardiovascular disease is required.
1 year
Oncology

2 years
Residency Length of Training (continued)

Length
of ACGMEAccredited
Program
Pulmonary Disease

2 years
Pulmonary Disease and Critical

Care Medicine

3 years
Rheumatology

2 years
Medical Genetics

successfully completed at least one year of a residency program
accredited by the ACGME, or a program located in Canada and
accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons
of Canada, including at least 12 months of direct patient care
experience.
2 years
Neurology
Residents entering a 3-year program must have completed 1 year

in an accredited program in the US or Canada.
3 or 4 years
Nuclear Medicine
Prior to entering a nuclear medicine program, residents must

have completed 1 year of broad clinical education
in an accredited program in the US or Canada.
3 years
4 years
Ophthalmology
One year of education in an accredited program is required prior

to entry.
3 years
Orthopaedic Surgery
No previous GME is required.
5 years
Orthopaedic/Sports Medicine
Requires prior completion of ACGME-accredited orthopedic

program.
1 year
Otolaryngology
5 years
Pain Medicine
Prior to appointment in the programs, fellows should have

completed an ACGME-accredited residency program.
1 year
Pathology
3 or 4 years
Cytopathology
Prior to appointment in the program, fellows must have one

of the following: at least two years of a pathology residency
accredited by the ACGME or of a program located in Canada and
1 year
accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of
Canada (RCPSC); or certification Cytopathology 5 by the ABP
in anatomic pathology and clinical pathology or in anatomic
pathology.
Pediatrics
3 years
Physical Medicine and

Rehabilitation
Prior to commencing the 36 months of physical medicine and

rehabilitation education, a resident must have successfully
completed 12 months of either ACGME-accredited education
in fundamental clinical skills or Royal College of Physicians
and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)- accredited education in
fundamental clinical skills in a residency program located
in Canada.
3 or 4 years
Plastic Surgery
Plastic Surgery: Accredited plastic surgery programs are either

independent (3 years) or integrated (6 years). Prerequisites for
the independent: successful completion of one of the following
prerequisite curriculaan ACGME-accredited general surgery,
neurological surgery, orthopaedic surgery, otolaryngology,
or urology residency; or an educational program in oral
and maxillofacial surgery approved by the American Dental
Association (ADA) is an alternate pathway for prerequisite
education prior to a plastic surgery residency. This pathway is
available only to those individuals holding the DMD/MD or DDS/
MD degree. This education also must include a minimum of 24
months of progressive responsibility on surgical rotations under
the direction of the general surgery program director after
receipt of the MD degree.
Preventive Medicine

successfully completed at least 12 months of clinical education
in a residency program accredited by the ACGME, Royal College
of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or the College of Family
Physicians of Canada.
A minimum of 1 year in an ACGME-recognized, direct primary

patient care specialty is required.
Length
of ACGMEAccredited
Program
3 years
(independent)
or 6 years
(integrated)
2 years
2 years
No previous GME is required. Physicians may also enter programs

at the GY2 level only after successfully completing one of the
following:
One clinical year of training in an ACGME-accredited internal
medicine, family medicine, or pediatrics program
Psychiatry
An ACGME-accredited transitional year program
4 years
One year of an ACGME-accredited residency in a clinical

specialty requiring comprehensive and continuous patient care
For physicians entering at the GY2 level, the GY1 year may be
credited toward the 48-month requirement.
Radiation Oncology
Resident education in radiation oncology includes 5 years of

accredited, clinically oriented GME, of which 4 years must be
in radiation oncology. GY1 training must be spent in internal
medicine, family medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, surgery or
surgical specialties, pediatrics, a year of categorical radiation
oncology, or a transitional year program.
4 years
RadiologyDiagnostic
Resident education in diagnostic radiology includes 5 years of

clinically oriented GME, of which 4 years must be in diagnostic
radiology. The clinical year must consist of ACGME-, RCPSC- or
equivalent accredited training in internal medicine, pediatrics,
surgery or surgical specialties, obstetrics and gynecology,
neurology, family medicine, emergency medicine, or any
combination of these, or an ACGME- or equivalent accredited
transitional year.
4 years
Residency Length of Training (continued)

Length
of ACGMEAccredited
Program
Sleep Medicine
Completed an ACGME-accredited core program in

anesthesiology, child neurology, family medicine, internal
medicine, neurology, otolaryngology, pediatrics, or psychiatry.
1 year
SurgeryGeneral
5 years
Completed an ACGME- or Royal College of Physicians and

Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)-accredited residency program
in surgery of not less than five years of progressive education;
and, be certified by the American Board of Surgery (ABS) or
have completed the educational requirements to sit for the ABS
qualifying examinations.
1 year
No prerequisite required.
7 years
Pediatric Surgery
Prior to entry in the program, fellows must: have successfully

completed a residency in general surgery accredited by the
ACGME or such a program located in Canada and accredited by
2 years
the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC);
be admissible to examination by the American Board of Surgery
(or its equivalent); or be certified by that board.
Education in thoracic surgery must be provided in 1 of 3 formats:
Independent Program (traditional format): Successfully
completed surgery, or vascular surgery residency accredited
by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
(ACGME) or general surgery, cardiac surgery, thoracic surgery,
or vascular surgery residency approved by the Royal College
of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Thoracic Surgery
Joint Surgery/Thoracic Surgery Program (4+3 program):

All 7 years of the program must be ACGME-accredited and
completed in the same institution (assuming successful
completion of the programs, this format provides the graduate
with the ability to apply for certification in both surgery and
thoracic surgery
2 years
(independent)
or 6 years
(integrated)
Integrated Program: 6 years of thoracic surgery education

(completed in one institution) following completion of
medical school
Vascular Surgery
Satisfactory completion of an ACGME- or RCPSC-accredited

general surgery program is required to enter ACGME-accredited
programs of 2 years. To be eligible for appointment to an
integrated program, graduates must have an MD or DO degree
from an institution accredited by the Liaison Committee of
Medical Education (LCME) or by the American Osteopathic
Association (AOA).
25 years
(integrated)
Urology
The prerequisite for admission to a urology residency program

is a minimum of one year of education in an Accreditation
Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited
surgery program.
1 year
Overview
Professional Description
Provided by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and

Immunology and the American College of Allergy, Asthma
and Immunology
Description from ABMS Guide to Medical Specialties
An allergist/immunologist is a physician specifically

trained to diagnose, treat and manage children
and adults with allergies, asthma and immunologic
disorders including primary immunodeficiency
disorders. Conditions seen by allergy/immunology
specialists range from the very common to the
very rare, span all ages, and encompass various
organ systems.
A certified specialist in allergy and immunology

is a physician who previously has passed the
certification examination of the American Board of
Internal Medicine (ABIM) and/or the American Board
of Pediatrics (ABP) with additional certification by
the American Board of Allergy and Immunology
(ABAI), a conjoint board of the ABIM and the ABP.
Diplomates of the ABAI have detailed knowledge of
the underlying pathophysiology and the diagnosis,
treatment and prevention of allergic diseases
such as allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, urticaria,
anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, atopic
and contact dermatitis, and allergic gastrointestinal
disorders, as well as comparable clinical problems
without an apparent allergic etiology or component
such as vasomotor rhinitis, nonallergic asthma, and
idiopathic and/or hereditary forms of urticaria and/
or angioedema. Diplomates also have expertise in
the management of pulmonary complications of
certain of these diseases.
In the United States, becoming an allergist/

immunologist requires at least an additional nine
years of training beyond a bachelors degree.
After completing medical school, physicians
complete three years of residency training in
pediatrics or internal medicine or four years
of combined medicine/pediatrics, and pass
an examination to become certified by either
the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) or the
American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). This
is followed by two years of additional training in
an allergy/immunology fellowship program and
certification by the American Board of Allergy
and Immunology (ABAI) after successfully passing
their certification examination. Diplomates of the
ABAI possess in-depth knowledge of disorders of
the immune system and have unique expertise in
immunobiology, immunochemistry, inflammatory
and auto-inflammatory disorders and the use of
immunomodulatory treatments for allergies, asthma
and immune-mediated disorders.
Diplomates of the ABAI also possess advanced

understanding of the biology of inflammation,
immunochemistry, immunobiology and
pharmacology and experience in the application
of this knowledge to the diagnosis, management
and therapy of immunologic diseases. This includes
inborn or acquired defects of host resistance,
autoimmune diseases, bone marrow and solid organ
transplantation, gene replacement therapy, adverse
drug reactions, and related conditions. Diplomates
have demonstrated to the satisfaction of their
peers that they possess the general qualifications
specified and are ethical and humanistic
practitioners of medicine.
The specialty of allergy/immunology is a

challenging, interesting and evolving discipline
with opportunities to work with patients of all ages
with common as well as rare disorders. Although
the practice of allergy/immunology occurs
predominantly in the outpatient setting, inpatient
consultations can become an important part of the
practice. Many allergists/immunologists choose
clinical careers in either private office or teaching
hospital clinics, while others are involved primarily
in research at medical schools or in government
or industry. Academic allergists/immunologists
frequently combine patient care with medical
school teaching and research.
An allergist/immunologist diagnoses and manages

disorders involving immune system conditions
such as asthma, anaphylaxis, rhinitis and eczema;
adverse reactions to drugs, foods and insect
stings; and immune deficiency diseases and
problems related to autoimmune disease,
organ transplantation or malignancies of
the immune system.
Allergists and clinical immunologists are specialists

trained to evaluate, diagnose and manage children
and adults with the following types of medical
problems and/or conduct basic, translational or
clinical research on these types of disorders:
Diseases of the respiratory tract including
allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, asthma, hypersensitivity
pneumonitis and occupational lung diseases
Allergic diseases of the eye including allergic

rhinitis
Diseases of the skin including atopic dermatitis
(eczema), contact dermatitis, urticaria and
angioedema
Adverse reactions to foods, drugs, vaccines,
stinging insects and other agents
Gastrointestinal disorders caused by immune
responses to foods including eosinophilic
esophagitis and food protein-induced
enteropathies
Immune-based disorders such as severe combined
immunodeficiency syndromes and other primary
or acquired deficiencies in lymphocytes, antibody,
complement or phagocytic cells
Diseases associated with autoimmune responses to
self-antigens and auto-inflammatory syndromes
Stem cell, bone marrow, and/or organ
transplantation and gene therapy
Systemic disorders including anaphylaxis,
mastocytosis and mast cell activation syndromes,
hypereosinophilic syndromes, and vasculitis
Subspecialty/Fellowship Training
There are approximately 75 U.S. allergy/immunology
programs accredited by the Accreditation Council
for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME; acgme.org).
A minimum of 24 months of fellowship training in
10
the care of both children and adults with allergic

and immunologic conditions as well as experiences
in scholarly activities is required. After successful
completion of an ACGME-accredited fellowship
in allergy/immunology, a physician may apply
to sit for the certification exam conducted by the
American Board of Allergy and Immunology
(ABAI; abai.org).
Association Contact Information

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and
Immunology
555 E. Wells St., Suite 1100
Milwaukee, WI 53202-3823
Telephone: (414) 272-6071
Websites: aaaai.org
jacionline.org
(Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology)
jaci-inpractice.org
(Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology:
In Practice)
American College of Allergy, Asthma and
Immunology
85 W. Algonquin Road, Suite 550
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Telephone: (847) 427-1200
Fax: (847) 427-1294
Websites: acaai.org
annallergy.org (Annals of Allergy, Asthma
and Immunology)
Clinical Immunology Society
Telephone: (414) 224-8095
Websites: clinimmsoc.org
clinimmsoc.org/journal (Journal of
Clinical Immunology)
Fellowship Match Data

Data from 2014 NRMP Specialties Matching Service
Career Information
Data from FREIDA Online
Specialty Training Statistics

General Program Information
Academic year
20132014
Number of accredited programs
74
Length of accredited training
2
Minimum number of prior years required
3
Offers graduate year 1 positions, available
immediately upon medical school completion No
Average number of program year 1 interviews 14.7
Average USMLE Step 1 score desired for
interview
196.9
Residents
Total number of active residents/fellows
304
Average number of residents/fellows
4
Average percent female
65.9
Average percent international medical
graduates
19.5
Average percent DOs
7.2
Faculty
Average number of full-time physician faculty 7.7
Average number of part-time physician faculty 1.9
Average percent female full-time physician
faculty
34.8
Average ratio of full-time physician faculty to
resident/fellow 2.3
Practicing Physician Career Data

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
3,812
3,621
3,128
283
210
23
45
111
12
Graduates Career Plans

Year completed training
2013
Number completed training
132

With known plans
120

Pursuing more training
7

Practicing in the US
62

Group practice
43

In same specialty
60

In same state as program
25

In NHSC or similar underserved area 1
Academician
49
Full-time
46
Military
1
Nonclinical research
1
Nonmedical career/left country
0
Unemployed
0
11
Appointments 2014
Number of positions offered
132
Number of programs
81
Number of applicants
179
Number filled by US MD graduates
94
Percent filled by US MD's
71.2
Total positions filled
123
Percent total positions filled
93.2
Number of unfilled programs
9
Resident Work Hours (program year 1)

Average hours on duty per week
45.8
Average maximum consecutive hours on duty 14.4
Average days off duty per week
1.6
Work Environment and Compensation
(program year 1)
Average percent of training in hospital
outpatient clinics
53.9
Average percent of training in non-hospital
ambulatory care community settings
12.5
Average resident/fellow compensation
$56,590
Average number weeks of vacation
3.5
Anesthesiology
Physician anesthesiologists are highly skilled

medical doctors who specialize in the field of
anesthesiology and are primarily responsible
for the safety and well-being of patients before,
during and after invasive procedures. They oversee
the anesthesia care plan for patients undergoing
surgical, obstetric, diagnostic, or therapeutic
procedures while monitoring the patients condition
and supporting vital organ functions in the
procedure room, recovery room, intensive care unit,
and throughout the acute care environment. The
physician anesthesiologist also diagnoses and treats
acute, chronic, and/or cancer pain as well as provides
resuscitation and medical management for patients
with critical illnesses and severe injuries.
Overview
Anesthesiology
Provided by American Society of Anesthesiologists
Anesthesiology is the practice of medicine

dedicated to the relief of pain and periprocedural
care of patients before, during, and after invasive
procedures. It is, quite literally, the physician
anesthesiologists job to keep patients alive during
invasive procedures. By controlling a patients
level of awareness (hypnosis), response to pain
(analgesia), memory (amnesia), and muscle tone
(relaxation), the physician anesthesiologist makes
a surgical event a non-event for the patient while
providing an optimal surgical environment for the
team.
Traditionally found only in operating rooms, the
role of the physician anesthesiologist has expanded
greatly and now includes caring for patients
during recovery, postoperative pain management,
providing anesthesia for nonsurgical procedures,
providing pain relief during childbirth, critical care
medicine, chronic pain management, consulting
with other practitioners on managing pain, and
much more.
Physician anesthesiologists have also taken leading
roles in hospital management as safe, effective,
and efficient care for surgical patients becomes
an important focus at the national level. Physician
anesthesiologists developed the perioperative
surgical home to improve the delivery of
health care during the entire patient surgical/
procedural experience.
12
Anesthesiology is a young specialty, with its roots

in the mid-19th century. Very quickly, however,
physician anesthesiologists became recognized
as leaders in patient safety. That focus remains
the bedrock of the specialty and can be seen
in the day-to-day activities of every physician
anesthesiologist today.
Anesthesia for surgery is administered primarily in
hospitals or medical centers, ambulatory surgical
centers, or a doctors office. Depending on their
mode of practice and subspecialty, physician
anesthesiologists encounter a wide variety of
patient types, with numerous career options in
both the academic and private practices.
Those who do not fully understand the role of
the physician anesthesiologist might say that
there is little, if any, meaningful patient contact,
but nothing could be further from the truth. The
role of the physician anesthesiologist is perhaps
one of the most intense physicianpatient
relationships in medicine. Many successful physician
anesthesiologists mention the often exhilarating
and intense patient interactions encountered in
anesthesia as a reason for choosing, and staying
in, the field.
Charged with protecting patients at a time when
they are unable to care for themselves, a physician
anesthesiologists work in a busy operating room is
anything but routine. He or she may encounter an
emergency cesarean section, a routine tonsillectomy,
or a car-accident victim all in the same morning.
Exceptional technical skills, problem-solving abilities,
and a cool head under pressure are mustsas is
a caring, empathic demeanor, as going under
is often cited as patients primary fear during
medical procedures.
As the role of physician anesthesiologists continues
to expand and the need for their services increases,
anesthesiologists are experiencing a greater variety
of employment options and an increase in the
complexity of contractual arrangements, billing
regulations, and clinical guidelines. It behooves
todays physician anesthesiologist to keep current
on practice management and professional
liability issues.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the
average salary of a physician anesthesiologist in
2013 was $235,070 annually.
The American Society of Anesthesiologists maintains
active resident and medical student components.
Major subspecialty concentrations include:
Ambulatory Surgical Care
Cardiovascular and Thoracic Anesthesia
Geriatric Anesthesia
Health Policy Research
Neuroanesthesia
Obstetric Anesthesia
Pain Medicine
Palliative Medicine
Patient Safety and Quality Improvement
Pediatric Anesthesia
Regional Anesthesia
Transplant Anesthesia
Trauma Anesthesia
Upon completion of an accredited anesthesiology
training program, physician anesthesiologists
may pursue board certification and Maintenance
of Certification in Anesthesiology (MOCA) by the
American Board of Anesthesiology.
Data from 2014 NRMP Main Residency Match
GY1
2014
1,049
Number of programs
117
1,836
Number filled by US seniors
754
Number filled by US DO seniors
123
Percent filled by US seniors
71.9
1,024
97.6
10
GY2
515
Number of programs
80
1,580
327
54
63.5
482
93.6
14

American Society of Anesthesiologists
1061 American Lane
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Telephone: (847) 825-5586
Websites: asahq.org
asahq.org/For-Students.aspx (medical student site)
All
Total positions*
1,662
Preferred by US seniors
1,116
Preferred positions per US senior
1.5
Preferred by independent applicants
710
Preferred positions per independent applicant 2.3
Career Information

Academic year
20132014
133
3/4
1/0
immediately upon medical school
completion
Sometimes
interview
210.3
13
Anesthesiology
Match Data
Beyond residency, there is the opportunity for

fellowship training accredited by the Accreditation
Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)
in pediatric anesthesia, cardiac anesthesia, pain
management, and intensive care medicine. There are
also numerous opportunities for clinical fellowships
in areas such as obstetric anesthesia, neurosurgical
anesthesia, ENT anesthesia and advanced airway
management, ambulatory and office-based
anesthesia, regional anesthesia, anesthesia
informatics, and acute pain/regional anesthesia.
Anesthesiology
Career Information (continued)

2013
1,567

With known plans
1,441

732

494
Group practice
329

In same specialty
429

187

Academician
188
Full-time
171
Military
22
1
2
Unemployed
2
Residents
5,668
42.6
35.5
graduates
14.3
Average percent DOs
10.8
Faculty
faculty
29.6
resident/fellow 1.3
61.2
1.5
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
10
5
$51,069
3.4

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
14
42,567
41,437
30,365
5,336
5,736
266
604
192
68
Dermatology
Dermatologists diagnose and treat all aspects of

healthy and diseased skin, hair, nails and mucous
membranes in adults and children including
conditions such as all types of skin cancer, moles,
dermatitis, acne, hair loss, scars, sexually transmitted
diseases and the skin changes associated with aging.
Patients seeking a dermatologist may come directly
or may be referred by another physician. A certified
specialist in dermatology may subspecialize
and become certified in the subspecialty of
micrographic surgery and dertmatologic oncology,
dermatopathology or pediatric dermatology.
Overview
Provided by American Academy of Dermatology
Dermatology is a diverse specialty that combines

medical, surgical and research skills with the
curiosity and visual acumen of a detective.
Many dermatologists see patients (either directly or

through physician referrals) who have all types of
Dermatologists perform many specialized diagnostic

procedures, including microscopic examination of
skin biopsy specimens, dermoscopy, cytological
smears, patch tests, photo tests, potassium
hydroxide (KOH) preparations, fungal cultures,
and other microbiologic examination of skin
scrapings and secretions. Treatment methods
used by dermatologists include externally applied,
injected and internal medications; selected X-ray
and ultraviolet light therapy; and a range of
dermatologic surgical procedures. The training
and experience of dermatologists in dermatologic
surgery include electrosurgery, cryosurgery with
the use of freezing surgical units, laser surgery, nail
surgery, biopsy techniques, Mohs micrographic
surgery, and excisional surgery with appropriate
closures, including flaps and grafts. Some of the
techniques used by dermatologists for the correction
of cosmetic concerns are tumescent liposuction,
fillers and toxins, dermabrasion, chemical face peels,
hair transplants, injections of materials into the skin
for scar revision, sclerosis of veins, and laser surgery
of vascular skin lesions.
Pediatric dermatologists have additional training
and expertise in the evaluation and management
of skin diseases that occur more commonly or
exclusively in children (e.g., all types of birthmarks,
neonatal dermatology, genodermatoses, pediatric
infections or inflammatory processes, and pediatric
skin diseases with complex medical conditions
requiring coordinated multispecialty care).
Dermatopathologists are experts in the microscopic
diagnosis of diseases of the skin, including
infectious, immunologic, degenerative and
neoplastic diseases, through examination and
interpretation of specially prepared tissue sections,
cellular scrapings and smears of skin lesions by
means of light microscopy, electron microscopy
and fluorescence microscopy.
To become board-certified in dermatology,
physicians must fulfill the requirements of the
American Board of Dermatology (ABD) or the
American Board of Medical Specialties. Guide to Physician Specialties. Evanston, IL: American Board of Medical Specialties; 2008.
15
Dermatology
Dermatologists eyes are uniquely trained to

diagnose and treat thousands of conditions that
affect the skin, and they help improve the quality
of life and save the lives of patients from birth to
old age. Dermatologists have expertise in the
diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant
disorders of the skin, adjacent mucous membranes
(mouth and external genitalia), hair and nails.
Dermatologists have extensive training and
experience in the diagnosis and treatment of skin
cancers, moles and other tumors of the skin; acne,
eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, contact dermatitis, and
other allergic and nonallergic inflammatory skin
disorders; and a number of sexually transmitted
infections. They also have extensive training and
experience in dermatopathology, dermatologic
surgery techniques, and the recognition of the
skin manifestations of systemic (including internal
malignancy) and infectious diseases. In addition,
dermatologists have expertise in the management
of cosmetic issues.1
skin concerns ranging from mild to debilitating to

life-threatening. Dermatologists practice in private
office, group, and academic clinical settings, and
many dermatologists are involved in research and
education. In general, a work-life balance is possible.
American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology

(AOBD). Board certification in dermatology is a
prerequisite to subspecialty certification. After
ABD certification, physicians enter Maintenance
of CertificationDermatology, a program of lifelong
learning and self-reflection.
A certified specialist in dermatology may
subspecialize and become ABD-certified in:
Cosmetic and/or laser (not ACGME-accredited)
Dermatopathology (ACGME-accredited)
Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology
(ACGME-accredited)
Pediatric dermatology (not ACGME-accredited)
Research (not ACGME-accredited)
Match Data
Dermatology
GY1
2014
20
Number of programs
9
179
20
0
100
20
100
0
GY2
380
Number of programs
113
601
334
3
87.9
374
98.4
5
16
Although all general dermatology residents

receive comprehensive training in each of these
subspecialties, candidates who pursue the additional
year(s) of training in subspecialty fellowships will
have met additional standards and qualifications
that will prepare them for specialized careers in
teaching, research and/or the practice of these
subspecialties.

American Academy of Dermatology
930 E. Woodfield Road
Telephone: (847) 330-0230
(888) 503-SKIN (7546)
Websites: aad.org
aad.org/education/students/cor/html (medical
student site)
All
Total positions*
Preferred positions per independent applicant
414
463
0.9
130
3.2
Career Information

Academic year
20132014
115
3/4
1/0
completion
Sometimes
interview
217
Residents
1,184
10.2
63.6
Average percent international medical graduates 4.4
Average percent DOs
0.5
Faculty
faculty
45.1
resident/fellow
1.2
45.2
1.8
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
78.2
25.3
$51,870
3.3

2013
390

With known plans
302

90

150
Group practice
94

In same specialty
135

52

In NHSC or similar underserved area
Academician
50
Full-time
44
Military
8
3
1
Unemployed
0

11,900
11,627
9,741
1,288
598
46
103
103
21
Dermatology
Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
17
Emergency Medicine
A physician who specializes in emergency medicine

focuses on the immediate decision-making and
action necessary to prevent death or any further
disability, both in the pre-hospital setting by
directing emergency medical technicians and in
the emergency department. This specialist provides
immediate recognition, evaluation, care, stabilization
and disposition of a generally diversified population
of adult and pediatric patients in response to acute
illness and injury.
Overview
Provided by American College of Emergency Physicians and
Emergency Medicine
Although the first residency training programs in

emergency medicine opened their doors a little over
40 years ago, it has already become one of the most
popular specialties in the United States. The reasons
are clear: emergency medicine offers an exciting,
challenging medical career with a reasonable
work-life balance and an incredible amount of
flexibility. While emergency medicine certainly isnt
for everyone, recent data suggest the vast majority
of practicing emergency physicians report high job
satisfaction and a career that has exceeded even
their initial expectations.
One of the critiques people sometimes raise about

emergency physicians is that they are a jack of
all trades, master of none. In fact, emergency
physicians are the most highly trained specialists
for the emergent management of life-threatening
conditions. In other words, they may not know
as much about individual microorganisms as an
infectious disease specialist or the long-term
management of diabetes as a primary care physician,
but theyre the experts in initial management of a
patient presenting with a life-threatening condition
such as septic shock or diabetic ketoacidosis.
The most recent longitudinal survey of emergency
physicians found that less than one-third of
emergency physicians reported that stress or
burnout were a significant problem in their daily
life.2 Even though emergency medicine practice
can certainly be stressful at times, both emergency
physicians and emergency medicine residents have
significantly lower working hours overall than most
other specialties. In addition, while most emergency
physicians do continue to work at least some nights
and weekends over their entire career, they have a
great deal of flexibility in scheduling their shifts.
The best way to find out whether emergency
medicine is the right choice for you is to try it out. If
its not already required at your school, schedule an
elective emergency medicine rotation during your
third year or early in your fourth year. In addition,
many medical schools offer opportunities for firstand second-year students to shadow an emergency
physician for a few hours a week.
One of the unique features of emergency medicine

that separates it from many other specialties
is the wide diversity of patients treated and
the relatively high percentage of time spent in
direct patient contact. Emergency physicians
treat adults and children, men and women, and
patients with neurologic, cardiac, pulmonary,
renal, gastrointestinal, orthopaedic, obstetric,
dermatologic and psychiatric diseases alike.
The Emergency Medicine Residents Association

(EMRA), the American Academy of Emergency
Medicine Resident & Student Association (AAEM/
RSA), the American College of Emergency Physicians
(ACEP) and the American Academy of Emergency
Medicine (AAEM) have additional resources available
to help you along the path toward applying for
emergency medicine residency.
Though emergency physicians generally dont

perform major operations, they do get to work with
their hands quite a bit, performing both simple
procedures such as laceration repair or fracture
reduction and complex procedures such as tracheal
intubation and chest tube placement. If you find
yourself thinking as you go through your third-year
rotations that you like several different disciplines
but couldnt imagine spending your entire career
focused on just one, then emergency medicine might
be the right choice.
Major subspecialty concentrations and fellowship
options include:
Administration
Cardiovascular emergencies
Clinical forensic medicine
Clinical pharmacology
Clinical research
Critical care and emergency medicine
Disaster medicine
ydulka RK, Moorhead JC, Conrad LC, et al. American Board of Emergency Medicine: Longitudinal Study of Emergency Physicians, 2009.
C
East Lansing, MI: American Board of Emergency Medicine; 2009.
18
Emergency Medicine Residents Association

1125 Executive Circle
Irving, TX 75038
Website: emra.org
Education
Emergency medical services
Environmental health
Faculty development
Geriatric emergency medicine
Injury control
International emergency medicine
Legal medicine
Medical informatics
Neurologic/neurovascular
Other/health policy
Palliative care
Pediatric emergency medicine
Research
Simulation
Sports medicine
Telemedicine
Toxicology
Transport medicine
Trauma/critical care
Underseas and hyperbaric medicine
Ultrasound
Wilderness medicine
Cathey Wise
Executive Director
Emergency Medicine Residents Association
Telephone: (800) 798-1822, Ext. 3250
Website: aaem.org
Kay Whalen, MBA CAE
Executive Director
Telephone: (800) 884-2236
Email: kwhalen@aaem.org

PO Box 619911
Dallas, TX 75261
Website: acep.org
Marjorie Geist, RN, PhD, CAE
Director, Academic Affairs
Telephone: (800) 798-1822, Ext. 3290
Email: mgeist@acep.org
Match Data
2014
1,786
170
2,322
1,388
177
77.7
1,772
99.2
60
Janet Wilson, CAE

Executive Director
American Academy of Emergency Medicine Resident
and Student Association
Telephone: (800) 884-2236
Email: jwilson@aaem.org
All
Total positions*
1,786
1,477
1.2
629
Emergency Medicine
GY1
Number of programs

Resident and Student Association
Website: aaemrsa.org
19
Career Information
Emergency Medicine

Academic year
20132014
163
3/4
1/0
completion
Sometimes
198.6
interview
Residents
5,631
34.5
36.5
Average percent DOs
12.6
Faculty
Average number of full-time physician faculty 32
30
faculty
1.1
resident/fellow
20

56.9
1.5
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
11.3
4.3
$50,453
3.2

2013
1,643

With known plans
1,503

200

885
Group practice
345

In same specialty
764

320

Academician
352
Full-time
332
Military
63
0
2
Unemployed
1
Family physicians deliver a range of acute, chronic

and preventive medical care services. In addition to
diagnosing and treating illness, they also provide
preventive care, including routine checkups, healthrisk assessments, immunization and screening
tests, and personalized counseling on maintaining
a healthy lifestyle. Family physicians also manage
chronic illness, often coordinating care provided by
other subspecialists.
Overview
Provided by American Academy of Family Physicians
Family medicine is the medical specialty concerned

with the total health care of the individual and the
family. The scope of family medicine is not limited
by age, sex, organ system or disease entity. Because
it integrates biological, clinical and behavioral
sciences, the family physician must undergo a
broad range of trainingdemonstrating an overall
proficiency in care of children and adolescents, adult
medicine, maternity care, psychiatry, and geriatrics.3
Family physicians frequently cite their specialty as
a rewarding one that allows them to maintain life
balance while also managing a schedule thats busy
enough to accommodate patients with an array of
needs. Recent practice profile surveys conducted by
the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
revealed that family physicians:4
Spend 34 hours per week in direct patient care
(10 in consultation and other patient care tasks)
Work an average 47 weeks per year in patientrelated or professional activities
See an average of 83 patients per week in
office-based visits (10 in other settings)
Have an average of five weeks for vacation or
continuing medical education (CME) activities
per year
Family medicine offers a degree of flexibility that
many other medical specialties do not. Because
family physicians are needed in every part of the
country, they have the option to choose their
practice location and work in both urban and rural
settings, to pick their practice environment and
3
4
scope of practice, and to pursue different career

paths, such as public health, teaching and research.
There is a multitude of fellowship options for family
medicine, with some of the most popular including
sports medicine and maternity care. With options
such as flexible scheduling and part-time practice,
raising a family is quite manageable and rewarding.
Income typically varies by region, years in practice
and type of practice. Practice profile surveys
conducted by the AAFP show that family physicians
earn (on average) more than $190,000. In some
areas (especially rural settings), those who practice
maternity care can expect to earn an average of
$5,00010,000 more in net income. Income also
depends on whether the physician works in a in a
solo, small group, multi-specialty practice, or direct
primary care. Depending upon the region of the
country in which a family physician chooses to
practice, certain office visits and procedures are also
rewarded more highly.
There are many fellowship options for family
medicine, including:
Adolescent medicine
Clinical informatics
Faculty development
Geriatric medicine
Hospice and palliative care
Hospital medicine
Maternity care
Preventive medicine
Research
Rural medicine
Sleep medicine
Sports medicine
Womens health
The American Board of Family Medicine
(theabfm.org) offers Certificates of Added
Qualifications (CAQs) in adolescent medicine,
geriatric medicine, hospice and palliative medicine,
pain medicine, sleep medicine, and sports medicine.

American Academy of Family Physicians
11400 Tomahawk Creek Pkwy.
Leawood, KS 66211
Telephone: (800) 274-2237
Websites: aafp.org
http://fmignet.aafp.org (medical student site)
merican Board of Medical Specialties. Guide to Physician Specialties. Evanston, IL: American Board of Medical Specialties; 2008.
A
American Academy of Family Physicians. Practice Profile Survey, 2013.
21
Family Medicine
Family Medicine
Family Medicine
Match Data
GY1
2014
3,109
Number of programs
480
5,999
1,398
394
45
2,977
95.8
64
All
Total positions*
3,109
1,376
2.3
2,674
Career Information

Academic year
20132014
469
3
0
immediately upon medical school completion Yes
Average number of program year 1 interviews 73
interview
193.8
Residents
10,077
21.4
53.7
graduates
36.4
Average percent DOs
19.2
Faculty
faculty
39.7
resident/fellow
0.7
22

62.2
1.3
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
20.7
17.1
$50,127
3.1

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
91,615
88,198
73,037
8,253
6,908
1,470
1,505
209
233


With known plans


Group practice

In same specialty


In NHSC or similar underserved
area
Academician
Full-time
Military
Unemployed
2013
3,162
2,779
374
1,988
1,369
1,627
1,092
134
242
219
89
0
53
33
Hospice and Palliative

Medicine
Overview
Palliative care focuses on improving a patients

quality of life by managing pain and other
distressing symptoms of a serious illness. Hospice is
defined as a service delivery system that provides
coordinated, comprehensive palliative care for
terminally ill patients and their familieswhether
in their homes or in facility settingsthrough an
interdisciplinary team of health care professionals.
Physicians who specialize in hospice and palliative
medicine work with other physicians and health
care professionals, listen to patients and align their
treatments with whats important to them, and help
families navigate the complex health care system.
The subspecialty of hospice and palliative medicine

represents the medical component of the broad
therapeutic model known as palliative care.
Subspecialists in this field reduce the burden of
life-threatening conditions by supporting the best
quality of life throughout the course of an illness and
by managing factors that contribute to the suffering
of the patient and the patients family.
The major clinical skills central to the subspecialty
are effective communication skills and the
prevention (when possible), assessment and
management of physical, psychological and
spiritual suffering faced by patients with life-limiting
conditions and their families.
Hospice and palliative medicine is distinguished
from other disciplines by:
A high level of expertise in addressing the
multidimensional needs of patients with lifethreatening illnesses, including a practical skill
set in symptom control interventions
A high level of expertise in both clinical and
nonclinical issues related to advanced illness,
the dying process and bereavement
A commitment to an interdisciplinary team
approach
A strong focus on good communication and the
patient and family as the unit of care
Hospice and palliative medicine is a relatively new,

formally recognized specialty and a rapidly growing
field. After completing a one-year fellowship, youre
eligible to apply for hospice and palliative medicine
board certification. One of 10 residency programs
can be completed before electing to spend an
additional year undergoing specialized hospice and
palliative medicine training.
Discussing medically appropriate goals with patients
and their families is a central theme in palliative
medicine and is applicable to a wide range of
medical specialties, including emergency medicine
and many surgical, gynecological, internal medicine
and pediatric subspecialties.
Hospice and palliative medicine providers are
expected to work closely with an interdisciplinary
team that includes nurses, social workers, chaplains,
psychologists and other therapists to formulate
realistic, effective treatment plans for patients who
can present challenging symptoms and psychosocial
situations. Clinicians often work with referring
oncologists, surgeons, internal medicine specialists,
radiation oncologists and interventional radiologists,
among others, to provide medically indicated
interventions for symptom control when appropriate
while balancing quality of life and patient wishes.
23
A physician with special knowledge and skills to

prevent and relieve the suffering experienced by
patients with life-limiting illnesses. This specialist
works with an interdisciplinary hospice or palliative
care team to address the physical, psychological,
social and spiritual needs of both patient and family
and provide assistance with medical decision-making.
Provided by American Academy of Hospice and Palliative

Medicine
Many possible career routes can be chosen after

completing formal training in hospice and palliative
medicine. Palliative medicine careers cover a
spectrum ranging from administrative areas with
less direct patient contact to direct patient care
within a hospital setting or home visits. There are
opportunities for palliative consultation services in
the hospital setting as well as home and inpatient
hospice settings. This field is also an expanding field
for researchers. Palliative care outpatient clinics and
new models of concurrent care delivery will further
expand the diversity of this career.
practice and should be considered if you will be

taking care of patients who have a chronic or
life-limiting illness at any age.
Keys to being a successful hospice and palliative

medicine provider include being empathetic, a good
listener and a patient advocate. Maintaining a good
work-life balance is critical to being successful in
this field. A good hospice and palliative medicine
program will support you in these endeavors and
help with techniques in self-care that you will need
in the rest of your career.
American Academy of Hospice and

Palliative Medicine
8735 W. Higgins Road, Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60631
Websites: aahpm.org
palliativedoctors.org (patient site)
Hospice and palliative medicine can be an incredibly

rewarding, fulfilling specialty. It can easily be
integrated into many areas of medical or surgical
Career Information

Academic year
20132014
95
1
3/4/5
interview
191.6
Residents
178
1.8
73.4
graduates 23.4
Average percent DOs
18.1
24
Detailed information about available training
programs, including number of positions offered,
length of training, program faculty, etc., is available
in FREIDA Online.
Laura G. Davis, CAE

Director of Marketing and Membership
American Academy of Hospice and
Palliative Medicine
Telephone: (847) 375-4712
Faculty
faculty
50.8
resident/fellow
4.5
47.2
1.7
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
18.0
18.9
$56,652
3.3

485
462
275
152
35
12
9
1
1

2013
163

With known plans
125

18

60
Group practice
33

In same specialty
42

30

Academician
43
Full-time
37
Military
0
0
0
Unemployed
4
25
Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
Internal Medicine
Internal medicine is the largest primary care specialty

in the United States and is an ever-changing and
rapidly advancing discipline. Doctors of internal
medicine are known as internists and should not
be confused with interns, who are doctors in their
first year of training after medical school. Internists
are not the same as general practitioners (GPs) or
family physicians (FPs) whose practices may include
surgery, obstetrics and pediatrics and whose training
is not solely concentrated on adults.
Internal Medicine
Because internal medicine is expansive, internists

must continually update their knowledge in many
areas including allergy, arthritis, blood diseases,
cancer, diabetes, digestive diseases, diseases of
the heart and blood vessels, hormonal disorders,
infections, intensive care, kidney diseases, and
respiratory disorders.
Internists manage both common and complex
illnesses of adolescents, adults and the elderly.
They are also trained in the essentials of primary
care internal medicine, which incorporates an
understanding of disease prevention, wellness,
womens health, substance abuse and mental
health, as well as effective treatment of common
problems of the eyes, ears, skin, nervous system
and reproductive organs.
Overview
Provided by American College of Physicians
Internists are physician specialists uniquely trained

to apply scientific knowledge to the care of adults
across the spectrum from health to complex illness.
As an internist, a physician may choose to become
a general internist or an internal medicine
subspecialist. A general internist handles the broad,
comprehensive spectrum of illnesses that affect
adults. General internists are recognized as experts
in diagnosis, in treatment of chronic illness, and in
health promotion and disease preventionthey are
not limited to one type of medical problem or organ
system. General internists often care for patients
over the duration of their adult lives, providing the
physician an opportunity to establish long and
rewarding personal relationships with their patients.
26
Most general internists provide care for their patients

in an ambulatory (office or outpatient) setting, and
in an inpatient setting when their patients become
hospitalized. Other general internists choose to
care for patients either exclusively in the inpatient
setting (often called hospitalists) or exclusively in
an outpatient setting.
An internist may choose to become a subspecialist
in internal medicine and receive additional in-depth
training and board certification in the diagnosis
and management of diseases of a specific type (e.g.,
infectious diseases) or diseases affecting a single
organ system (e.g., the cardiovascular system).
Subspecialists often see patients on a limited basis
in consultation with a general internist or another
medical specialist, though they too may develop
long, rewarding relationships with patients who
have ongoing or chronic illnesses.
For most general internal medicine specialists and
subspecialists, caring for patients is their primary
daily activity. Nonetheless, there are many other
activities available in the field of internal medicine
that may suit the needs of physicians who have
additional interests. One such choice is teaching
medical students, residents, and/or subspecialty
fellows and other health professionals. Teaching
responsibilities can be an important component
of a career that is based in a teaching hospital or
medical school setting. Internists make up the
largest proportion of medical school faculty of
any clinical field.
Another career choice may be in medical research,
ranging from bench research (i.e., basic science)
to applied translational or clinical research. Again,
these research responsibilities can be a primary
component of an internists professional activities
or can complement other activities in patient care
and/or teaching.
Many internists pursue careers in administration
(activities related to managing the business side of
health care). Work in this area provides opportunities
for developing managerial and leadership skills.
No matter the setting, there is a need for
administrative expertise.
Finally, health policy, health care delivery and public
health are areas of interest for internists. Internists
who wish to impact populations of people rather
than provide direct patient care may pursue a
career working in such settings as public health
departments, public health schools, or a variety
of governmental or other nonprofit organizations.
Nephrology

options include:
Oncology (usually combined with hematology for

a combined hematology-oncology fellowship)
Adolescent medicine
Pulmonary disease (usually combined with critical

care for a combined pulmonary and critical care
fellowship)
Allergy and immunology

Cardiovascular medicine
Critical care (usually combined with pulmonary for
a combined pulmonary and critical care fellowship)
Endocrinology
Gastroenterology and hepatology
Geriatrics (one-year fellowship after three years
of residency)
Hematology (usually combined with oncology
for a combined hematology-oncology fellowship)
Infectious disease
Rheumatology
Sleep medicine (one-year fellowship after three
years of residency)

190 N. Independence Mall W.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Websites: acponline.org
acponline.org/medical_students (medical
student site)
Career Information
GY1
2014
6,524
Number of programs
408
11,236
3,167
444
48.5
6,465
99.1
21
All
Total positions*
6,859
3,405
2
5,909

Academic year
20132014
390
3
0
interview
204.1
Residents
22,971
58.9
43.0
graduates
50.6
Average percent DOs
8.7
Faculty
faculty
32.4
resident/fellow
1.6
27
Internal Medicine
Match Data

62.8
1.2
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
24.9
11.9
$50,580
3.4
Internal Medicine

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
An internist who specializes in diseases of the heart

and blood vessels and manages complex cardiac
conditions such as heart attacks and life-threatening,
abnormal heart rhythms.
Overview
Provided by American College of Cardiology
Cardiovascular diseases is the medical subspecialty

dealing with the prevention, diagnosis and
treatment of disorders of the heart and vascular
system. Functions of a cardiovascular specialist
include the management, prevention, diagnosis

2013
6,838

With known plans
5,650

2,709

1,882
Group practice
674

In same specialty
1,444

714

Academician
949
Full-time
931
Military
28
28
27
Unemployed
14
121,127
115,351
81,562
20,543
13,246
2,177
1,505
1,552
542
Internal Medicine/
28
and treatment of coronary artery disease, vascular

disease, heart rhythm abnormalities, adult
congenital heart disease and heart failure. Within the
subspecialty, several sub-subspecialties, including
interventional cardiology, electrophysiology,
advanced heart failure and transplantation, and
adult congenital heart disease, exist. In addition,
specialists in cardiovascular diseases work closely
with cardiothoracic surgery specialists.
Entry into a cardiovascular specialty training
program is highly competitive and the intense
training in the subspecialty is designed for the
acquisition of the required scientific knowledge and
mastery of clinical skills necessary for independent
practice. Moreover, excellence in this specialty
requires an investment of additional years of
career preparation and a lifelong commitment to
learning. Since cardiovascular diseases continue
to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in
the United States, there is a great opportunity for
a cardiovascular specialist to impact the lives of

patients and the health status of our communities.
Physicians graduating from US medical schools
typically have completed a bachelors degree and
four years of medical school. For certifying as a
specialist in cardiovascular diseases, a medical
school graduate will require six to eight additional
years of training (three years of internal medicine
residency and three to five years of cardiovascular
disease fellowship training). The duration of the
subspecialty training (e.g., interventional cardiology
and clinical electrophysiology) is variable depending
on the institution and could be one to two years.
A subspecialty program in cardiovascular diseases
provides training and supervised experience in the
evaluation, diagnosis and management of a variety
of acute and chronic cardiovascular conditions.
Cardiovascular subspecialty training includes:
Clinical training, including inpatient and special
experiences
Cardiac catheterization laboratory
Electrophysiology, pacemaker follow-up and ICDs

Heart failure
Non-laboratory clinical practice activities (e.g.,
consultations, cardiac care units, postoperative
care of cardiac surgery patients)
Once training is completed, cardiovascular
specialists are certified by one of the boards of the
American Board of Medical Specialties (such as
the American Board of Internal Medicine) or the
Advisory Board for Osteopathic Specialists of the
American Osteopathic Association. The vast majority
of board-certified cardiologists become members of
the American College of Cardiology.

Appointments 2014
800
Number of programs
181
Some of the reasons cardiovascular specialists

choose this discipline include:
It offers professional challenges and specialized
options
It is dynamic and constantly evolving as the science
and practice change
It has a significant impact on patients lives
Common training options:
Interventional cardiology
Advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology
Electrophysiology
Adult congenital heart disease
Other subspecialty areas:
Nuclear cardiology
Echocardiography
Computed tomography/magnetic resonance
(CT/MR) cardiology
Cardiovascular investigator/academic research
Industry research
Preventive cardiology
Internal Medicine
Noninvasive cardiac evaluations, consisting of

echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, exercise
stress testing, ECG interpretation and ambulatory
ECG recording, cardiac CT, cardiac MR Imaging, etc.
Cardiovascular specialists could work within different

types of practice settingsacademic (medical
school and university-based) or nonacademic
(employed by hospital, solo or group private
practice, government or military hospitals).

Heart House
2400 N. St. N.W.
Washington, DC 20037
Telephone: (800) 253-4636
Fax: (202) 375-7000
Websites: acc.org
acc.org/FIT
1,106
443
55.4
797
99.6
3
29
Career Information
Internal Medicine

Academic year
20132014
191
3
3
201.4
interview
Residents
2,598
13.6
20.6
49.8
graduates
Average percent DOs
4.1
Faculty
16.3
faculty
1.8
resident/fellow
56
1.4
30

(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
13.9
11.6
$57,459
3.4

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
23,575
22,335
17,657
2,542
2,136
230
325
613
72

2013
809

With known plans
733

434

192
Group practice
131

In same specialty
175

78

Academician
92
Full-time
88
Military
0
10
2
Unemployed
3
Internal Medicine/
An internist trained in critical care medicine has

expertise in the diagnosis, treatment and support
of critically ill and injured patients, particularly
trauma victims and patients with multiple organ
dysfunction. This physician also coordinates patient
care among the primary physician, critical care staff
and other specialists.
Overview
Provided by Society of Critical Care Medicine
Critical care medicine integrates a diverse group

of highly trained professionals who provide care
in specialized care units and work toward the best
outcome for seriously ill patients.
Many critical care medicine professionals work in

the intensive care unit (ICU). While nearly all ICUs
Critical care medicine offers physicians the

opportunity to work on a team with other critical care
professionals who have diverse backgrounds and take
different paths to become part of the team, including:
Nurses
Pharmacists
Respiratory therapists (RTs)
In addition, critical care physicians may work with
dietitians, social workers, fellows, residents, nursing
students and dietetic students.
The ICU is a unique place where so many individuals
physicians, special consultants, nurses, respiratory
therapists, technicians, pharmacistspool their
cognitive and technical skills. It is an environment
rich in continued educational opportunity. It is
a specialized environment where the staff must
be experts in many areas (including cardiology,
pulmonary, renal, neurology and infectious disease)
and integrate these disciplines into the care of
the patient.

500 Midway Drive
Mount Prospect, IL 60056
Telephone: (847) 827-6869
Website: sccm.org
Sloniewsky, D. Medical Students Guide to Intensive Care Medicine. Des Plaines, IL: Society of Critical Care Medicine; 2005:5.
31
Internal Medicine
Because critical care medicine integrates so many

different aspects of care, there is a broad range
of training. This specialty requires additional
fellowship training for those who completed their
primary residency training in internal medicine,
anesthesiology, pediatrics or surgery. Fellowship
training requirements are different for each primary
specialty. (For example, individuals who have trained
in anesthesiology and surgery require only one
additional year of training in critical care, whereas
individuals who have trained in internal medicine
require at least two years of critical care training.
In pediatrics, three years of fellowship training are
required.) Board certification in critical care medicine
is available through all four specialty boards.
are capable of providing a spectrum of care, many

have developed a focused area of excellence:
care of premature or critically ill newborns in the
neonatal ICU (NICU); care of critically ill and injured
children in the pediatric ICU (PICU); care of adult
cardiac diseases in the coronary care unit (CCU);
perioperative care, trauma care and care of multiple
organ dysfunction in the surgical ICU (SICU); and
care of neurological and neurosurgical patients in
the neuroscience ICU (neuro ICU).5
Career Information
Internal Medicine

Academic year
20132014
34
1/2
3
202.6
interview
Residents
205
6
29.5
Average percent international medical graduates 58
Average percent DOs
7
Faculty
22.8
faculty
6.5
resident/fellow
58.5
1.5
32

(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
6.6
2.5
$59,612
3.5

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
1,785
1,668
1,129
192
347
41
49
22
5

2013
113

With known plans
88

17

26
Group practice
11

In same specialty
20

6

Academician
43
Full-time
42
Military
0
0
2
Unemployed
0
Internal Medicine/
Endocrinology, Diabetes
and Metabolism
An internist who concentrates on disorders of the

internal (endocrine) glands, such as the thyroid
and adrenal glands. This specialist also deals with
disorders such as diabetes, metabolic and nutritional
disorders, obesity, pituitary diseases, and menstrual
and sexual problems.
Overview
Provided by Endocrine Society
Endocrinology is the specialty of medicine that deals

with the problems, diseases and medical conditions
of the endocrine system. A medical endocrinologist
is a physician specializing in the complex task of
diagnosing and treating hormonal disorders and
other metabolic disorders.
Endocrinologists typically evaluate, diagnose,

and treat people with diabetes, thyroid disease,
osteoporosis, infertility, and disorders of the pituitary
and adrenal glands, as well as diseases that can
affect growth, development and metabolism. This
is done through the use of laboratory tests, tissue
sampling, genetic analysis and high-resolution
medical imaging. Endocrinologists frequently
perform dynamic endocrine testing to stimulate
or inhibit hormonal pathways to diagnose various
conditions. They can perform and interpret bone
mineral density tests in the evaluation of people
with metabolic bone disease and may perform
Physicians who decide on endocrinology as a

subspecialty are required to complete a three-year
residency in internal medicine. Following residency,
physicians must complete two to three years of
fellowship training in endocrinology, diabetes
and metabolism.
Although endocrinologists spend most of their time
taking care of patients in an outpatient setting,
some may perform inpatient consultations as
well. There are few emergencies in the field of
endocrinology, so many endocrinologists are able
to balance the demands of work and family quite
easily. Because endocrinologists are in high demand
in urban, suburban and rural settings, many
have the ability to set schedules to suit personal
and professional needs as well as work part time
if desired. Endocrinologists have the option of
working in many different environments,
including hospitals, academic medical centers,
clinics and private practice.
Endocrinologists usually see patients on a
consultative basis as well as for ongoing, long-term
follow-up. Because endocrine diseases, such as
diabetes, are typically lifelong, endocrinologists may
have long and close relationships with their patients.
Subspecialty programs accredited by the ACGME
for endocrinology include:
Endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism
Pediatric endocrinology
Reproductive endocrinology and infertility*

Endocrine Society
2055 L St. N.W., Suite 600
Washington DC 20036
Telephone: (202) 971-3636
Website: endo-society.org
* Subspecialty program accredited by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

33
Internal Medicine
Because endocrinologists rely on laboratory tests to

assist in determining the disorders of their patients,
many have backgrounds in biochemistry and
research. In addition, endocrinologists usually have
background training in one of a number of different
medical fields such as pediatrics, internal medicine,
and obstetrics and gynecology. All medical
endocrinologists have an MD or an analogous
medical degree and some also have a PhD or
another advanced science degree.
thyroid ultrasonography and ultrasound-guided

fine needle aspiration biopsies in the evaluation
of patients with thyroid conditions. Some
endocrinologists attain special certification to use
radiopharmaceutical agents in the diagnosis
and treatment of various endocrine conditions.
Career Information
Internal Medicine

Academic year
20132014
134
2
3
200.9
interview
Residents
636
4.7
66.4
57.6
graduates
Average percent DOs
5
Faculty
41.6
faculty
2.4
resident/fellow
47.8
1.4
34

(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
49.7
18.1
$56,616
3.5

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
6,948
5,711
4,567
619
525
96
150
514
27

2013
276

With known plans
227

12

131
Group practice
70

In same specialty
123

47

Academician
78
Full-time
70
Military
0
3
3
Unemployed
0
Internal Medicine/
Gastroenterology
An internist who specializes in diagnosis and

treatment of diseases of the digestive organs,
including the esophagus, stomach, intestines,
pancreas, liver, and gallbladder.
This specialist treats conditions such as abdominal
pain, ulcers, diarrhea, cancer, liver disease and
jaundice and performs complex diagnostic and
therapeutic procedures using endoscopes to
visualize internal organs.
Overview
Provided by American Gastroenterological Association
Gastroenterology is the branch of internal medicine

that focuses on the structure, functions and diseases
of the digestive tract.
Gastroenterologists work in many different practice

environments. The type of practice environment
group practice, academic practice or solo practice
helps to determine the physicians work-life balance.
In most practice situations, gastroenterologists can
expect to be busy when they are on call. The amount
and type of call is dependent on the practice type.
There are emergencies in gastroenterology, such as
gastrointestinal bleeding, that must be responded to
quickly including overnight.
Patients with diseases of the digestive system are
seen by the gastroenterologist. This includes patients
with symptoms such as difficulty swallowing,
heartburn, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting,
jaundice, diarrhea, and constipation. Common
diseases that are treated by gastroenterologists
include gastrointestinal bleeding, esophageal
reflux, celiac disease, bile duct stones, pancreatitis,
Gastroenterologists have 100 percent direct patient

contact both in the evaluation and treatment of
patients with digestive diseases. Patients with
digestive illnesses are seen in the outpatient clinic,
the procedures unit, the hospital and the emergency
room. Gastroenterology is a consultative specialty,
although patients with chronic gastrointestinal
disease such as inflammatory bowel disease are
followed on a long-term basis in the outpatient
clinic. Patients with an acute gastrointestinal
problem, such as a bleeding ulcer, may only be
seen during the acute event.
Although a sub-specialty of internal medicine
gastroenterologists and hepatologists often work
closely with surgeons as well as radiologists,
pathologists, oncologists, psychologists and dieticians.
Physicians who wish to become gastroenterologists
must complete a three-year residency in internal
medicine, followed by a fellowship. Fellowship
duration is 36 months, of which at least 18 months
are clinical training. The other 18 months may be
clinical or research training or a combination of both.
Continuity clinic is carried out during the entire
36-month training period. Some training programs
may offer an additional year of clinical or basic
science research experience or advanced therapeutic
endoscopy training, motility training, inflammatory
bowel disease training or training in other clinical
subspecialty areas within gastroenterology. Fellows
may also opt to train in transplant hepatology, which
may occur during an additional year of training or
within the 36 month training period depending on
the program. Osteopathic medical students may
specialize in gastroenterology after completing an
accredited program in internal medicine.
Subspecialty programs accredited by the ACGME
for gastroenterology include:
Gastroenterology
Transplant hepatology
Pediatric gastroenterology
Pediatric transplant hepatology
35
Internal Medicine
The subspecialty requires practitioners to have a

wide array of skills, both procedural and cognitive.
For example, good hand-eye coordination is
required to perform endoscopic procedures, which
are used to help diagnose and treat many diseases of
the digestive system. Gastroenterologists also need
good interpersonal skills to work as consultants and
in multi-disciplinary teams to care for both acutely
and chronically ill patients.
inflammatory bowel disease, hepatitis, obesity and

nutrition-disorders. Many patients with complicated
liver disease are treated by a hepatologista
gastroenterologist with specialized training in
treating diseases of the liver.

American Gastroenterological Association
4930 Del Ray Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20814

Appointments 2014
461
Number of programs
173
703
297
64.4
452
98
8
Career Information
Internal Medicine

Academic year
20132014
161
3
3
interview
199.1
Residents
1,418
8.8
33.8
graduates
34.4
Average percent DOs
5.9
Faculty
faculty
21.5
resident/fellow
1.7
36
Telephone: (301) 654-2055

Fax: (301) 654-5920
Email: member@gastro.org
Website: gastro.org

52.7
1.6
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
23.9
13.1
$56,956
3.4

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
14,366
13,735
11,322
1,426
987
99
200
303
29

2013
452

With known plans
403

93

190

Group practice
146

In same specialty
168

61

0
Academician
115
Full-time
112
Military
0
3
1
Unemployed
1
Internal Medicine/
Geriatric Medicine*
An internist who has special knowledge of the

aging process and special skills in the diagnostic,
therapeutic, preventive and rehabilitative aspects
of illness in the elderly. This specialist cares for
geriatric patients in the patients home, the office,
long-term care settings such as nursing homes,
and the hospital.
Overview
Provided by American Geriatrics Society
Geriatricians are known for treating the whole

personmanaging adult medical conditions as
well as treating patients with one or more geriatric
syndromes such as falls, delirium, dementia,
incontinence or polypharmacy. They are trained to
diagnose conditions that often present differently
in older adults; develop care plans that address
the special health care needs of older adults;
communicate with families and other caregivers;
be responsible for care coordination across settings;
and to take a patient-centered, holistic approach
to maintaining older adults functional status,
independence and quality of life.
Geriatric care is rewarding, as often small
improvements in health status can have a
tremendous impact on older adults quality of life,
as well as that of their families and other caregivers.
Geriatricians may spend additional time training

to become expert educators or researchers. This is
a field that carries with it many possibilities, and
it offers the resources and mentorship for future
trainees to succeed. Geriatricians are passionate
about their work and make themselves readily
available to trainees who are interested in learning
more about the care of older adults and making
a career choice in geriatrics.
Geriatricians work closely with interdisciplinary
teams, an approach that is taking on greater
prominence and importance with changes in our
health care workforce. Often, members of the team
are health professionals who also have specialized
training in the care of older adults, including nurses,
social workers, nutritionists, physical therapists,
occupational therapists and consultant pharmacists.
In collaboration with the geriatrics team, geriatricians
look at many aspects of the patients life, including
evaluating a persons ability to perform activities
of daily living (ADLs), the social support available
to a patient, and his or her living and community
conditions.
The education and training requirements for
geriatrics are set by the American Board of Family
Medicine, the American Board of Internal Medicine,
the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
(geriatric psychiatry), the American Osteopathic
Board of Family Physicians, and the American
Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine. The
minimum training requirement to be eligible for
board certification as a geriatrics specialist is a oneyear fellowship. Many physicians who specialize in
geriatrics complete additional years of fellowship
training, depending upon their areas of interest
and whether they wish to pursue a career in
academic medicine.
* Geriatric medicine is also an area of specialization in family medicine.

37
Internal Medicine
Geriatrics is the branch of medicine that focuses on

health promotion, prevention, and diagnosis and
treatment of disease and disability in older adults.
Recent studies have shown that geriatricians are
among the most satisfied of physicians when it
comes to their career choice. The specialty offers a
wide diversity of career choices and is a clinically and
intellectually rewarding discipline given the medical
complexity of older adults. Geriatricians reap the
rewards of making a difference in a patients level of
independence, well-being and quality of life.
With the rapid growth of the older population
in the United States, there is a pressing demand
for physicians with specialized training in geriatrics,
providing geriatricians with unlimited career
opportunities.
As a career path, geriatrics offers considerable

versatility. Geriatricians practice in many different
settingsranging from academic medical centers
to community hospitals to private practice clinics
to rural health centers. Some geriatricians also see
patients at home or in long-term care facilities, either
as a consultant or as a primary care physician. Given
their unique qualifications and training, geriatricians
are often sought as consultants to other medical and
surgical specialties.
No matter what specialty you choose, your clinical

practice will likely include older adults given the
projected growth of the US population aged
65 and older. In July 2007, the Association of
American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the John A.
Hartford Foundation of New York hosted a National
Consensus Conference on Competencies in Geriatrics
Education, where a consensus was reached on
minimum competencies (learning outcomes) that
graduating medical students should possess to
ensure competent care by new interns/residents to
older patients. The competencies list is available on
the Portal of Geriatric Online Education (POGOe) at
pogoe.org/Minimum_Geriatric_Competencies.
Internal Medicine
In addition, a project was also designed to define

minimum geriatrics competencies for internal
medicine (IM) and family medicine (FM) residents.
The result of this three-year initiative is a set of
26 geriatrics competencies for IM/FM residents.
These, and similar competencies in various stages
of development for residents in internal medicine
and surgical specialties can be found at pogoe.org/
geriatrics-competencies.
The Geriatric Fellowship Curriculum Milestones,
released in December 2012, build on the geriatrics
competencies developed for medical students
and residents and delineate 76 competencies that
are designed to direct curriculum development
and training for geriatrics fellowship. They were
created by a working group of geriatricians,
reviewed and commented on by more than 400
geriatricians, revised and then approved by the
boards of the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) and
the Association of Directors of Geriatric Academic

Programs (ADGAP). The milestones can be found
at: americangeriatrics.org/files/documents/
GFCM12.18.12.pdf.
To help strengthen geriatrics training for all
physicians, the American Geriatrics Society has
spearheaded the Geriatrics-for-Specialists Initiative
(GSI), a long-standing collaboration with leaders
from the major medical societies representing:
Anesthesiology
Emergency medicine
General surgery
Gynecology
Ophthalmology
Orthopaedic surgery
Otolaryngology
Physical medicine and rehabilitation
Thoracic surgery
Urology

The American Geriatrics Society
40 Fulton St., 18th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Telephone: (800) 247-4779
Fax: (212) 832-8646
Websites: americangeriatrics.org
americangeriatrics.org/health_care_professionals/
trainees/ (AGS section for trainees)
healthinaging.org (The AGS Foundation for Health
in Aging)
Career Information
Appointments 2014
297
Number of programs
109
132
51
17.2
125
42.1
81
38

Academic year
20132014
105
1
3
interview
189
Internal Medicine/
Hematology*
An internist with additional training who specializes

in blood diseases. This specialist treats diseases such
as anemia, hemophilia and sickle cell disease as well
as cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and multiple
myeloma. (See Oncology description within
Internal Medicine/Oncology.)

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
3,848
3,517
2,695
266
556
129
90
99
13

2013
240

With known plans
192

50

81
Group practice
55

In same specialty
64

45

Academician
52
Full-time
49
Military
1
2
3
Unemployed
3
Overview
Provided by American Society of Hematology
Hematologists are experts in caring for patients

with disorders of the blood, bone marrow and
lymphatic systems. Nonmalignant blood disorders
include bleeding and clotting problems (such as
hemophilia and pulmonary embolism) and diseases
of red blood cells (such as sickle cell anemia and
thalassemia). Malignant blood disorders include
leukemias and lymphomas. Causes of these diseases
can be genetic factors, medications, patient lifestyle
or environmental factors; patients cared for by
hematologists span the life cycle from babies to
centenarians.
* Hematology is also an area of specialization in pediatrics.

39
Internal Medicine
Residents
267
2.5
59.9
graduates
63.5
Average percent DOs
5.6
Faculty
faculty
51.2
resident/fellow
4.3
44.6
1.8
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
33.5
20
$57,805
3.4
Specialists in hematology can focus their education

and practice in many ways. Hematologists who focus
on nonmalignant hematology diagnose disorders in
their roles as office- and laboratory-based detectives,
using critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
The required tools include a sound understanding
of basic science and pathophysiology, visual
competency at the microscope to seek out
important morphologic clues on peripheral blood
smears, and an ability to analyze lab techniques,
including molecular diagnostics. Above all,
hematologists must be able to integrate all of this
information into a final diagnosis and appropriate
treatment plan.
Internal Medicine
Hematologists may serve as long-term providers to

patients with chronic conditions, or they may serve
as consultants to physicians and to hospitals in areas
including trauma, neurosurgery and cardiovascular
disease. Hematologists also screen for blood
diseases and can offer preventive services.
Physicians who practice hematology and focus on
malignant disorders treat, among other conditions,
acute and chronic leukemias and multiple myeloma.
Treatment is intensive and requires a broad range
of knowledge in other disciplines such as infectious
diseases. Treatment for malignant disorders can also
include bone marrow transplantation, which can
be a career focus itself. Additional career options in
hematology include transfusion medicine (which
includes therapeutic apheresis and blood banking).
Hematology is an ideal field for the future physicianscientist, whether focused on health outcomes
research, clinical and translational research, or
basic science research. Hematology is at the cutting
edge of medicine and continues its leadership
role in translating discoveries about the genetic
and molecular origins of diseases into targeted
treatments used in the care of patients.
One of the unique facets of the specialty is that
hematologic disorders often appear to arise from
one of the major organs. And because blood is
40
everywhere in the body, hematologists collaborate

in patient care and research with colleagues from
many disciplines including cardiology, immunology
and infectious diseases, general internal medicine,
general pediatrics, and all of the surgical specialties.
Hematologists can enter the specialty having
completed a residency in internal medicine
or a combined internal medicine/pediatrics
residency. Within the specialty of internal
medicine, hematology training is most often
combined with oncology training; many physicians
choose to become board-certified in both
hematology and medical oncology. (Physicians
interested in the care of children can specialize
in pediatrics and subsequently pursue training
in combined hematology/oncology fellowships.
Hematopathologists first complete a residency
in pathology.)
Completion of a hematology (two years) or
hematology/oncology (three years) fellowship is the
final training for entry into hematology and occurs
after residency training in internal medicine. Fellows
in hematology and hematology/oncology training
programs can pursue tracks pertinent to their
careers in the broader field of hematology.
The American Society of Hematology offers yearlong programs to hematologists pursuing careers
in clinical and translational research as well as
resources for physicians-in-training that include
teaching cases for medical students and an
image bank.

2021 L St. N.W., Suite 900
Telephone: (202) 776-0544
Email: training@hematology.org
Website: hematology.org

Hematology Programs
Appointments 2014
17
Number of programs
3
101
13
76.5
17
100
0
Career Information
Hematology Programs

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
1,897
1,462
1,140
38
284
66
59
299
11

2013
19

With known plans
13

0

4
Group practice
0

In same specialty
3

0

Academician
9
Full-time
6
Military
0
0
0
Unemployed
0
41
Internal Medicine

Academic year
20132014
3
2
3
Residents
34
11.3
55.1
graduates
36.8
Average percent DOs
0
Faculty
faculty
32.8
resident/fellow
2.1

56.6
1.6
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
25
0
$60,932
3.6

Hematology and Oncology
Programs
Faculty
faculty
35.1
resident/fellow
2.2
52.8
1.4
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
38.6
19.4
$57,846
3.4

Academic year
20132014
136
3
3
interview
198.8
Residents
1,566
11.5
49.2
graduates
49.7
Average percent DOs
6.7

2013
506

With known plans
458

29

211

Group practice
143

In same specialty
191

69

Academician
200
Full-time
198
Military
5
4
2
Unemployed
7
Internal Medicine/
Infectious Diseases
An internist or pediatrician (see next page*) who

is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of
diseases caused by microorganisms, including
bacteria, viruses (such as HIV and hepatitis), fungi
and parasites. Known as medical detectives, ID
specialists solve complicated cases by identifying the
causes of infection and the most effective treatment.
ID specialists often work alongside general internists
and pediatricians as well as other medical and
Appointments 2014
517
Number of programs
130
689
262
50.7
502
97.1
9
Internal Medicine
Career InformationHematology
and Oncology Programs
Provided by the Infectious Diseases Society of America, HIV
Medicine Association and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society
42
surgical specialists, lending their expertise to the

treatment of infections in major organ systems (e.g.,
cardiovascular, central nervous system, circulatory, etc.).
Overview
Provided by the Infectious Diseases Society of America, HIV
Medicine Association and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society
Infectious diseases are the second leading cause of

death worldwide. ID specialists are on the cutting
edge of some of the hottest topics in medicine
todayfrom treatment for HIV/AIDS patients, to
the growing threat posed by antibiotic resistance,
to global health problems such as tuberculosis
and malaria, to emerging infections such as SARS,
pandemic influenza or Ebola. This dynamic and
evolving discipline offers exciting opportunities
for physicians who enjoy helping others through
problem-solving and medical detective work.
ID specialists have a variety of career paths to

choose from, including clinical practice (e.g.,
private practice, clinics, or hospitals), basic and
clinical research, public health, and health care
epidemiology. The work of ID clinicians may involve
consultations orfor those who see patients with
chronic infections such as HIV or viral hepatitis
long-term relationships that include managing a
patients overall care.
ID specialists have the expertise to quickly identify
and treat potentially life-threatening infections. In
hospital settings, ID specialists are frequently called
for consultations for patients with severe infections
such as meningitis or Clostridium difficile because
these patients tend to have better outcomes
when seen early by an ID specialist. (Infectious
Diseases Specialty Intervention Is Associated With
Decreased Mortality and Lower Healthcare Costs.
Clin Infect Dis.(2014)58(1):22-28. doi:10.1093/cid/
cit610) ID specialists also play an important role in
ID specialists can be expected to take on a greater

role in the context of health care reform, with the
emphasis on optimizing health system performance.
In hospitals and health care systems, ID specialists
often oversee infection control (e.g., preventing
healthcare-associated infections), antibiotic
stewardship, use of diagnostic tests, radiology
services, micro-lab services and hazardous waste
management.
An estimated 7,500 ABIM-certified and 1,432
pediatric board-certified ID specialists are practicing
in the United States today, which has grown from
fewer than 1,000 physicians in the early 1980s.
*Most infectious disease specialists are formally
trained in internal medicine or pediatrics, but some
have entered the field after training in osteopathic
medicine or other specialties (e.g., oncologists
who became HIV specialists, etc.). In addition to
medical school and residency training, ID specialists
complete two to three years of additional fellowship
training in Infectious Diseases.
Guide to Adult ID Training Programs:
idsociety.org/Programs/
Guide to Pediatric ID Training Programs:
pids.org/education-and-training/fellowshiptraining-programs-directory.html

Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)
HIV Medicine Association of IDSA (HIVMA)
Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS)
1300 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22209
IDSA Telephone: (703) 299-0200
Websites: idsociety.org
Opportunities for Students and Residents:
idsociety.org/Opportunities_Students/
Fellows in Training Career and Education Center:
idsociety.org/Fellows/
Email: info@idsociety.org
HIVMA Telephone: (703) 299-1215
Website: hivma.org
PIDS Telephone: (703) 299-6764
Website: pids.org
43
Internal Medicine
ID specialists play a critical role in the treatment

and prevention of infections by managing
appropriate antibiotic choice, duration of therapy,
route of delivery, and adverse drug reactions. ID
specialists are commonly called upon in major
public health crises or outbreaks, during which
their role is to educate the public, define treatment,
and help halt the spread of rapidly communicable
illnesses.Diseases that used to have high morbidity
and mortality rates, such as polio, smallpox,
measles, influenza, mumps, and rubella, have
been significantly curtailed or eradicated thanks
to traditional ID strategies of surveillance and
immunization.
overseeing transitions of care from the hospital to

the community.

Appointments 2014
328
Number of programs
134
276
135
41.2
254
77.4
55
Career Information
Internal Medicine

Academic year
20132014
148
2
3
interview
195.3
Residents
794
5.3
49.1
graduates
54
Average percent DOs
5.8
Faculty
faculty
37
resident/fellow
2.9
44

52.8
1.3
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
16.4
8.2
$56,860
3.5

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
8,165
6,820
5,016
823
981
261
299
720
65

2013
374

With known plans
326

50

142
Group practice
83

In same specialty
114

49

Academician
106
Full-time
101
Military
4
16
7
Unemployed
1
Internal Medicine/
Interventional Cardiology is an area of medicine

within the subspecialty of cardiology that
uses specialized imaging and other diagnostic
techniques to evaluate blood flow and pressure in
the coronary arteries and chambers of the heart,
as well as technical procedures and medications to
treat abnormalities that impair the function of the
cardiovascular system.
Overview
Provided by American College of Cardiology
Interventional cardiology has grown to bridge

many specialties, which were traditionally seen as
somewhat isolated from one another. For example,
endovascular techniques mastered within the smallcaliber and bifurcating coronary artery vessels of a
beating heart in a conscious patient can be applied
in larger vessels within immobile organs, especially
when procedures are done under sedation or
anesthesia. This exemplifies the way interventional
cardiologists work in a variety of vascular territories,
including the carotid circulation, the upper and
lower extremities, and the aorta and its branches.
Interventional cardiology has grown in parallel with
great achievements in techniques and technologies,
to many innovations in its rather brief lifetimethe
first balloon angioplasty was only performed in 1977.
Interventional cardiology, a subspecialty of
adult cardiology, requires a minimum one-year
interventional cardiology fellowship in addition
to the specialized training required for cardiology.
Although there are no subspecialty boards in
pediatric cardiology, most physicians planning on
performing pediatric interventional catheterizations
opt to complete an additional non-accredited year of
interventional catheterization.
Life as an interventional cardiologist may include

active on-call work, as one must be immediately
available to treat a patient having an emergent
event. One should also be physically strong enough
to wear 20 pounds of lead protection and perform
procedures in an X-ray exposure environment.
Interventional cardiologists note that seeing
immediate benefits in patients, including being able
to stop a heart attack, is exciting and rewarding.
Interventional cardiologists work settings include
on-call work in emergency departments; cardiology
and multi-specialty private practices; private,
government and military hospitals; and medical
schools and universities. Interventional cardiologists
primarily perform diagnostic and treatment
procedures, and any associated follow-up.
Interventional cardiovascular subspecialty training
includes but is not limited to the following:
Coronary procedural skills
Non-coronary procedural skills
Cardiac catheterization laboratory experience
Pre- and post-procedure patient care
Non-laboratory clinical practice activities
Once training is completed, cardiovascular specialists
are certified by one of the boards of the American
Board of Medical Specialties (such as the American
Board of Internal Medicine or the American Board
of Pediatrics) or the Advisory Board for Osteopathic
Specialists of the American Osteopathic Association.
Those who train in pediatric cardiology are certified
by the American Board of Pediatrics. Interventions
performed on congenital heart patients (newborns
to adults) include valvuloplasties, angioplasties,
45
Internal Medicine
Interventional cardiology is the subspecialty of

cardiology that deals specifically with the catheterbased treatment of heart diseases. The field
includes the diagnosis and treatment of coronary
artery disease, vascular disease and acquired
structural heart disease. For pediatric interventional
cardiologists, congenital heart defects are the major
focus of diagnosis and treatment.
In an effort to ensure trainees meet the rigors

of the science and mastery of interventional
techniques, entry into an interventional cardiology
specialty fellowship program is highly competitive.
Interventional cardiology has a strong foundation
of device-based research and innovation that
can be appealing to those with a keen interest in
biotechnology, physics and hydrodynamics. This
specialty requires an investment in additional years
of career preparation and a lifelong commitment
to learning, including Maintenance of Certification.
The skills required for success in this field include
excellent communication, confidence, technical
ability and a willingness to participate in the
increasingly utilized team-based-care approach.
stent placement and defect closures with closure

devices, to name a few. As the specialty of adult
congenital heart disease (ACHD) grows along
with adult structural interventions, both pediatric
and adult interventional cardiologists continue
to expand and acquire new techniques and
interventions.
Completion of an interventional cardiology
fellowship is the final training for entry into the
subspecialty of interventional cardiology.
Career Information
Internal Medicine

Academic year
20132014
142
1
6
interview
199.4
Residents
284
2
8.2
graduates
49.4
Average percent DOs
2.5
Faculty
faculty
7.7
resident/fellow
3.7
54.5
1.6
46

Heart House
2400 N St. N.W.
Telephone: (800) 253-4636
Fax: (202) 375-7000
Website: acc.org

(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
14.9
13
$63,630
3.3

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
2,757
2,729
2,236
303
190
23
4
1

2013
298

With known plans
249

26

168
Group practice
109

In same specialty
136

44

Academician
48
Full-time
48
Military
0
1
5
Unemployed
1
Internal Medicine/
Nephrology
not function. This specialist consults with surgeons

about kidney transplantation.
Faculty
Average number of part-time physician faculty
1
faculty
27.9
resident/fellow
2.1
55
1.4
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
24.4
12.8
$57,027
3.5
Appointments 2014
403
Number of programs
145
323
90
22.3
306
75.9
64
Career Information

Academic year
20132014
147
2
3
interview
194.3
Residents
926
6.2
38
graduates
72.3
Average percent DOs
5.4

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
9,651
9,007
7,373
949
685
129
154
339
22
47
Internal Medicine
An internist who treats disorders of the kidney,

high blood pressure, fluid and mineral balance, and
dialysis of body wastes when the kidneys do

2013
448

With known plans
388

68

216
Group practice
141

In same specialty
175

63

Internal Medicine/
Oncology
Internal Medicine
An internist who specializes in the diagnosis and

treatment of all types of cancer and other benign
and malignant tumors. This specialist decides on and
administers therapy for these malignancies as well as
consults with surgeons and radiotherapists on other
treatments for cancer.
Overview
Provided by American Society of Clinical Oncology
A career in oncology provides the opportunity to be

part of a group of exciting specialties that continue
to produce new discoveries and enhanced treatment
for cancer patients. Oncology blends important
health care advances in a setting of committed
care involving a team approach. It is a model of
multidisciplinary care where the oncologist holds a
leadership role in managing cancer research and the
team. As such, oncologists have the opportunity to
form meaningful relationships with patients of any
field of medicine.
One can pursue oncology practice through a number
of specialties including hematology and oncology
or medical oncology (adults), pediatric oncology
(children), or geriatric oncology (older adults).
Oncologists focus on the management of cancer
using anti-cancer drugs and biologics. Most of the
surgical specialties have subspecialty groups in
48
Academician
Full-time
Military
Unemployed
75
73
3
15
7
4
oncology, and radiation oncology uses high-energy

radiation to manage cancer patients. As with most
specialties, oncology practice can be applied in many
settingsthe most common ones include academic
practice, community practice, and industry or
government.
Academic practice is a practice closely aligned
with a university or medical school whose stated
goals are generally education, research and
patient care.
Community practice, or private practice, pursues
practice within organizations small and large for
which care of patients is the primary goal.
Industry practice is closely tied to the overall
mission of the organization. Pharmaceutical
and biotechnology firms view their mission as
performing research to expand knowledge and
create new treatment options for patients.
Government practice generally involves
physicians who work to develop (or support the
development of) public policy primarily through
developing and implementing regulations, or
who are employed by the military to provide
patient care.
Oncology has been described as science combined
with caring. Cancer patients represent some of the
most challenging cases in medicine. Oncologists
must be skilled in the science of cancer treatment,
but equally important is their ability to communicate
extremely well as they help patients and families
navigate this difficult diseaseincluding treatment,
survivorship and care at end of life.
While this is largely a consultative specialty, most

oncologists serve as the primary medical home
for patients undergoing cancer treatment. The
relationship between oncologists and their patients
is often a special one during this period of time and
typically involves periodic contact throughout the
course of the patients life.
The following specialties have some form of
subspecialization in oncology (this additional
training varies in length from two to five years,
depending upon your area of interest):
Internal medicine (subspecialties of medical
oncology or combined hematology and medical
oncology)
OB/GYN (subspecialty of gynecologic oncology)
Medical oncology (subspecialties of pediatrics,
geriatrics, palliative care or pharmacology)
Pediatrics (subspecialty of pediatric hematology/

oncology)
Urology (specialization in urologic oncology)

The common bond is that in each of these fields,
prospects to develop a career in patient care,
research and education abound. While virtually all
the various subspecialties in oncology have their
own professional societies, the American Society of
Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is home to every oncologic
specialty interest. Students with an interest in
oncology are eligible for free membership and
generous benefits in ASCO.
A detailed list of oncology training programs can
be found at sco.org/professional-development/
resources-medical-students

2318 Mill Road, Suite 800
Alexandria, VA 22314
Website: asco.org
Michal Tibbits
Associate Director, Professional Development
Telephone: (571) 483-1414
Email: michal.tibbits@asco.org
Internal Medicine
Pathology (multiple areas of subspecialization

including neuropathology, hematology or other
organ/tumor-specific pathology)
Surgery (specialization in surgical oncology)
Radiation oncology specialty

Radiology (subspecialization in multiple areas,
often organ-specific such as neuroradiology or
mammography, or technique-specific such as
nuclear medicine)
Career Information
Appointments 2014
27
Number of programs
9
116
9
33.3
27
100
0
(See Internal Medicine/Hematology for Hematology and

Oncology Fellowship Match Data)

Academic year
20132014
11
2
3
interview
205.7
49
Internal Medicine

Residents
88
8
39.9
graduates
71.1
Average percent DOs
5.2
Faculty
faculty
20.6
resident/fellow
2
57
1.5
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
46.3
13.3
$54,659
3.1

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
50
4,896
4,182
3,384
95
703
138
58
491
27

2013
39

With known plans
29

2

8
Group practice
5

In same specialty
7

4

Academician
19
Full-time
19
Military
0
0
0
Unemployed
0
(See Internal Medicine/Hematology for Hematology and
Oncology Career Information)
Internal Medicine/
Pulmonary Disease
An internist who treats diseases of the lungs and

airways, the pulmonologist diagnoses and treats
cancer, pneumonia, pleurisy, asthma, occupational
and environmental diseases, bronchitis, sleep
disorders, emphysema, and other complex disorders
of the lungs.
Overview
Provided by American Thoracic Society and American
College of Chest Physicians (CHEST)
Pulmonology is a branch of internal medicine that

treats diseases of the lung and bronchial tubes,
which often involves treatment of the upper
respiratory tract as well. It is related to intensive care
medicine and may involve managing people who
need life support and mechanical ventilation.
Pulmonologists see patients in the inpatient service

to provide care regarding treatment and diagnosis
of any disease involving the chest cavity. Pulmonary
specialists are also able to conduct and interpret
testing that evaluates lung function and exercise
physiology of the heart and lungs.
Pulmonary specialists provide consultative services
to help obtain otherwise difficult diagnoses.
For example, pulmonologists can perform a
Pulmonary specialty training may or may not be

associated with critical care training. Pulmonologists
are trained in mechanical ventilation of critically
ill patients and are experts in managing acute
respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Some
pulmonologists go on to specialize in sleep medicine
with an additional year of training. They become
experts in diagnosing and managing diseases such
as obstructive sleep apnea and narcolepsy.
In pulmonology, there is flexibility to tailor ones
practice to fit a desired work-life balance, with some
practitioners focusing on outpatient medicine,
including the ability to focus on asthma, COPD,
sarcoidosis, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary
hypertension, lung cancer and lung transplantation.
The inability to breathe is one of the most terrifying
and feared symptoms a patient can experience.
Regardless of the domain in which a pulmonologist
practices, it is a very rewarding field. The opportunity
to provide difficult diagnoses to patients, stay
involved with patients throughout the progression
of chronic lung diseases, keep patients alive on
ventilators, and, most importantly, help them
breathe easier, is a gratifying experience.
Completion of a three-year internal medicine/
pediatrics training program is required before
entering a two-year pulmonary fellowship. Although
it is typical to combine critical care and pulmonary
training into one three-year fellowship, it is not
uncommon to specialize in pulmonary medicine
alone. Pulmonary fellowship is also a pathway for
further training in sleep medicine fellowship.
The American Thoracic Society and the American
College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) offer programs
and resources for residents, fellows and trainee
professionals.
51
Internal Medicine
The pulmonologist plays many roles in the inpatient,

outpatient and consultative medical world. The
majority of pulmonary specialists practice care for
both inpatients and outpatients. Pulmonologists see
a wide variety of patients in the outpatient setting
with acute diseases such as pneumonia, as well
as chronic diseases such as asthma, cystic fibrosis
(CF), emphysema/chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD), sarcoidosis and tuberculosis, among
others. Pulmonologists often follow patients with
these chronic diseases for several years and develop
rewarding long-term relationships with patients.
Although pediatric pulmonologists do not treat
adult lung diseases like COPD, they do see a wide
variety of congenital lung diseases, asthma and CF.
specialized procedure called bronchoscopy using

flexible fiber optics. Tissue samples obtained
through bronchoscopy can make a diagnosis of
rare interstitial lung disease and can be used to
obtain tumor or lymph node tissue in order to
make the diagnosis of cancer. A very rewarding
use of bronchoscopy is to open up and keep open
(stent) airways when they close down, which allows
patients to breathe easier.

American Thoracic Society
25 Broadway, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Website: http://thoracic.org/education/careerdevelopment/index.php

Internal Medicine
Appointments 2014
22
Number of programs
12
95
2
9.1
22
100
0
Career Information

Academic year
20132014
20
2
3
interview
199.1
Residents
76
3.8
16.7
graduates
90.6
Average percent DOs
2.5
52

2595 Patriot Blvd.
Glenview, IL 60026
Telephone: (224) 521-9800
Fax: (224) 521-9801
Website: chestnet.org
Faculty
faculty
22.3
resident/fellow
1.7
55
1.5
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
21.9
8.3
$58,436
3.6

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
5,618
4,969
4,177
76
716
157
153
316
23

2013
42

With known plans
33

19

13
Group practice
8

In same specialty
11

5

Internal Medicine/
Pulmonary Disease and
Overview
Provided by American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST)
Pulmonary/critical care medicine encompasses a wide

variety of patient care opportunities and offers a large
spectrum of practice opportunities. The majority of
pulmonary/critical care specialists enjoy a practice that
provides care for both inpatients and outpatients.
Inpatient care involves critically ill patients with
multiorgan system disease and requires the ability
to synthesize large amounts of data (labs, test
results, etc) while also coordinating care with other
disciplines, as critically ill patients often require
care from multiple specialists. While the majority of
pulmonary/critical care practitioners work in general
intensive care unit (ICU) settings, providing care for
a wide gamut of patients, some specialists choose
to specialize even further and work primarily in
neurological units, cardiac units, etc. More commonly,
specialists alternate time caring for patients in the ICU
with caring for inpatients with pulmonary diseases
and also providing longitudinal care for a population
of clinic patients with pulmonary disorders. Thus
1
1
0
0
0
0
there are many options to tailor ones practice to

fit a desired work-life balance.
Some specialists transition from caring for ICU
patients to doing more outpatient work as
they progress in their careers. There is also the
opportunity to further specialize in the outpatient
arena, with some specialists focusing on asthma,
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sarcoidosis,
interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension,
lung cancer and lung transplantation.
Pulmonary/critical care specialists enjoy performing
procedures such as bronchoscopy, chest tube
insertion, intubation, thoracentesis and central line
placement. Interventional pulmonology is a growing
field, with providers performing bronchoscopic
removal of tumors via laser and other modalities,
percutaneous tracheotomy placement in the ICU,
and advanced pleural procedures such as insertion
of pleural catheters to drain malignant effusions.
Education and fellowship training in pulmonary/
critical care medicine is overseen by the Accreditation
Council for Graduate Medical Education. Certification
examinations in pulmonary and critical care
are administered by American Board of Internal
Medicine. Pulmonary/critical care fellowship is also
a pathway for further training in sleep medicine
fellowship.
The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST)
offers programs and resources for residents, fellows,
and trainee professionals.
53
Internal Medicine
(See description within Internal Medicine/

Pulmonary Disease.)
Academician
Full-time
Military
Unemployed

2595 Patriot Blvd.
Glenview, IL 60026
Telephone: (224) 521-9800
Fax: (224) 521-9801

Internal Medicine
Appointments 2014
489
Number of programs
135
753
256
52.4
486
99.4
2
Career Information

Academic year
20132014
141
3
3
interview
196.1
Residents
1,494
10.5
32.1
graduates
50.5
Average percent DOs
8.7
54
Faculty
24.6
faculty
2
resident/fellow
55.3
1.4
(program year 1)
16.4
outpatient clinics
8.1
$57,390
3.4

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
6,946
6,731
4,693
1,446
592
25
97
85
8

2013
474

With known plans
414

84

179
Group practice
115

In same specialty
156

68

Internal Medicine/
Rheumatology
Overview
Provided by American College of Rheumatology
A subspecialty in internal medicine and pediatrics,

rheumatology is devoted to the diagnosis and
therapy of conditions and diseases affecting the
joints, muscles and bones. While orthopaedics
involves surgical treatment for fractures, injuries,
and diseases, rheumatologists deal mainly with
clinical problems involving joints, soft tissues, certain
autoimmune diseases and the allied conditions of
connective tissue.
The practice of rheumatology is a blend of the
basic clinical skill of physical examination and
the rapidly expanding science of immunology.
Clinically, the diverse nature of rheumatic diseases
keeps a rheumatologist as sharp as an internist and
facilitates positive interactions with most internal
medicine specialties. The number of people with
arthritis is mushrooming due to population increases
and longevity. By 2030, it is expected that 67 million
134
130
1
11
5
0
Americans will have been diagnosed with arthritis,

up from about 50 million in 2011.6
Besides interactions, medical students considering
a career in rheumatology should enjoy, namely, the
exchange between a patient and physician during
the diagnostic performance of history and physical
examination. The rheumatologists approach is a
comprehensive one, involving close attention to
details of the history and examination in order to
detect clues that unravel the cause of the symptoms
that prompted the clinical encounter.
Rheumatology patient care exists in both
ambulatory (outpatient) and inpatient settings.
As such, the outpatient setting provides optimal
flexibility to schedule patient hours in a personal/
family-friendly way. At the same time, it is important
to note that a subset of patients with inflammatory
rheumatic disorders may be admitted to the hospital
with acute and at times life-threatening illnesses
that warrant meaningful daily care in the inpatient
setting. Sharing such inpatient responsibilities with
colleagues creates a desired work-life balance.
There are extensive opportunities for direct patient
contact in rheumatology; patients who present to
a rheumatologist span the entire life span, from the
neonate to the centenarian. Rheumatic disorders
affect both genders and all racial and ethnic groups.
The duration of the physicianpatient relationship
varies. Its common for rheumatologists to have
long-term follow-up care with their patients,
often for greater than a decade. Yet time-limited
consultative interactions exist as well.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Arthritis: Data and Statistics. Available at: cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics.htm.
55
Internal Medicine
An internist who treats diseases of joints, muscle,

bones and tendons. This specialist diagnoses and
treats arthritis, back pain, muscle strains, common
athletic injuries and collagen diseases.
Academician
Full-time
Military
Unemployed
Subspecialty programs accredited by the ACGME for

rheumatology include:
American College of Rheumatology

2200 Lake Blvd. N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30319
Telephone: (404) 633-3777
Websites: rheumatology.org
chooserheumatology.org
Adult
Pediatric

Internal Medicine
Appointments 2014
206
Number of programs
106
230
66
32
189
91.7
15
Career Information

Academic year
20132014
113
2
3
194.4
interview
Residents
427
3.7
61.6
51
graduates
Average percent DOs
10.6
56
Faculty
faculty
39.5
resident/fellow
2.4
47.3
1.4
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
51.8
12.6
$57,717
3.5

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
5,341
4,863
4,020
401
442
73
110
268
27

2013
210

With known plans
168

6

87
Group practice
51

In same specialty
79

19

Academician
Full-time
Military
Unemployed
59
48
3
5
5
3
Internal Medicine
57
Medical Genetics
Medical geneticists specialize in medicine that

involves the interaction between genes and health.
They are trained to evaluate, diagnose, manage,
treat and counsel individuals of all ages with
hereditary disorders. This specialist uses modern
cytogenetic, molecular, radiologic and biochemical
testing to assist in specialized diagnostic evaluations,
implement needed therapeutic interventions, and
provide genetic counseling and prevention through
prenatal and preimplantation diagnosis.
The medical geneticist plans and coordinates
screening for genetic diseases involving single-gene
and chromosomal disorders, congenital anomalies,
inborn errors of metabolism, multifactorial conditions
and common disorders with hereditary factors.
Overview
Provided by American College of Medical Genetics and
Genomics
Medical Genetics
Medical genetics is an exciting and rapidly growing

medical specialty. Physicians who specialize in
medical genetics, also known as clinical geneticists,
provide comprehensive diagnostic, management
and genetic counseling services for patients with, or
at risk for, genetically influenced health problems.
Medical geneticists care for patients of all ages and
across all specialties. Some medical geneticists
specialize in specific areas within medical genetics,
including pediatric genetics, prenatal genetics,
biochemical genetics, adult genetics, and
neurogenetics or cancer genetics, while others
care for patients of all ages with a broad variety of
underlying genetic conditions. Clinical geneticists
can also plan and coordinate large-scale screening
programs for inborn errors of metabolism, neural
tube defects and other genetically influenced
conditions, while others may direct and participate
in clinical trials for treatment of genetic conditions.
As the genetic factors underlying many common
diseasesfrom diabetes to hypertensionare
becoming better understood, medical geneticists
are increasingly involved in the care of patients
with common conditions and are being called upon
58
to educate their medical colleagues and manage

complex patient care that cuts across many different
specialties.
Many medical geneticists work in academic medical
centers and are actively involved in teaching and
research in addition to evaluating and caring for
patients with underlying genetic conditions. Some
geneticists spend the majority of their time in
clinical activities, while others may concentrate on
research and see patients during a smaller portion
of their time. Clinical geneticists develop longterm relationships with patients and their families
as they coordinate and manage their care, and
provide consultative services within the hospital
to other specialists who require the expertise of a
medical geneticist. With the growing importance of
genetics in human disease, one can also find medical
geneticists working in the areas of public health
care policy, managed care or private practice. Given
the variety of work options available to a medical
geneticist, it is a specialty that provides an excellent
opportunity for work-life balance.
Clinical genetics training is generally acquired
by completing a 24-month ACGME-accredited
residency in medical genetics. At least two years
of training in another primary ACGME residency
(e.g., pediatrics, internal medicine, OB/GYN, family
medicine, neurology) is necessary prior to beginning
a medical genetics residency.
Other options that begin right after medical
school include combined training programs in
pediatrics/genetics and internal medicine/genetics.
A combined training program in maternal-fetal
medicine/genetics is also available after completion
of an OB/GYN residency. Laboratory fellowship
training is also available in cytogenetics, molecular
genetics, and biochemical genetics. In addition,
those who have completed a residency in pathology
can enter a one-year fellowship program in
molecular genetic pathology, which focuses on
the laboratory diagnosis of genetic diseases.
Individuals attracted to medical genetics are those
who are interested in the uniqueness of specialty
knowledge but wish to apply that knowledge across
broad areas of medical practice, as well as those
who want to be on the front end of a growing new
specialty with a rapidly expanding scientific base
and great career flexibility.
Programs accredited by the ACGME include:
American College of Medical Genetics and

Genomics
7220 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 300
Bethesda, MD 20814
Telephone: (301) 718-9603
Fax: (301) 718-9604
Email: acmg@acmg.net
Website: acmg.net
Clinical genetics
Medical biochemical genetics
Molecular genetic pathology
Programs accredited by the American Board
of Medical Genetics (ABMG) include:
Clinical biochemical genetics
Clinical cytogenetics
Clinical molecular genetics
Programs accredited by the ABMG and other
ABMS boards include:
Internal medicine/genetics
Maternal-fetal medicine/genetics
Pediatrics/genetics

Appointments 2014
52
Number of programs
38
25
9
17.3
23
44.2
24
Career Information
Academic year
20132014
47
2/4
2/0
completion
Sometimes
Average number of program year 1 interviews
4
interview
197.7
81
1.7
61.4
35.4
0.7
8.1
0.8
42.6
5.1

47.7
1.7
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
62.3
16
$53,091*
3.2
59
Medical Genetics
Residents
graduates
Average percent DOs
Faculty
Average number of full-time physician faculty
faculty
resident/fellow

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
Medical Genetics
*Based on 20122013 data
60
583
475
290
92
93
12
21
71
4

2013
32

With known plans
25

13

2
Group practice
1

In same specialty
2

0

Academician
7
Full-time
6
Military
1
1
1
Unemployed
0
Neurology
With an aging population and one in six Americans

already suffering from a neurologic disorder, the
field of neurology is in high demand. A career in
neurology means being at the forefront of the latest
advances in treating brain diseases, looking to a
future of breakthrough discoveries, and having a
world of variedand excitingcareer options
readily available.
Overview
Provided by American Academy of Neurology
A neurologist is a medical doctor with specialized

training in diagnosing, treating, and managing
disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral
nerves, muscles, autonomic nervous system, and
blood vessels related to these structures. These
diseases may include Alzheimers disease, headache/
migraine, stroke, epilepsy, Parkinsons disease,
concussion/brain injury, autism, and hundreds more.
Neurologists are principal care providers, consultants
to other physicians, or both. When a patient has a
neurologic disorder that requires frequent care, such
as Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers disease, epilepsy/
seizure disorders, or multiple sclerosis, a neurologist
is often the principal care provider. As a consultant
for conditions such as concussion or headache, for
example, a neurologist will diagnose and treat a
neurologic disorder and then advise the primary
care physician managing the patients overall health.
In neurology, an accurate diagnosis is the first step
toward effective treatment. Diagnosis involves
getting a detailed history of the patient and
neurologic examination of mental status, vision,
strength, coordination, reflexes, and sensation.
Some common neurologic tests used to complete
the examination include computed tomography
(CT) or computer-assisted tomography (CAT)
scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography
and nerve conduction studies (EMG), and cerebral
spinal fluid analysis (lumbar puncture).
Neurologists do not perform surgery. Neurosurgeons

are medical doctors who specialize in performing
surgical treatments of the brain or nervous system.
Rather, neurologists perform intraoperative
monitoring, acute stroke management, and,
with specialty training, intravascular procedures
for stroke.
Neurologists have numerous career options
available, whether in academic (clinical or researchbased), or private practice. The field of neurology is
attractive to those who enjoy problem solving, using
clinical examination skills, and developing long-term
relationships with patients. A neurologists time may
be divided between seeing patients, doing research
(e.g., writing proposals and papers, conducting
laboratory, or clinical studies, etc.), attending
conferences, and teaching.
A neurologists training includes a one-year
internship in internal medicine (or two years of
pediatrics for pediatric neurologists), and at least
three years of specialized residency training in
neurology. Training and education requirements
for residencies are set by the Accreditation
Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
Fellowship and subspecialty training and education
requirements are set by the ACGME or the United
Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (UCNS).
Neurologists concentrate in either adult or pediatric
neurology and many invest one or two additional
years of training in a subspecialty such as epilepsy,
neuromuscular disease, movement disorders, and/
or stroke. Once a physician passes the written
examination as administered by the American Board
of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN), he or she is
granted board-certified status in neurology. Once
this is achieved, certification in a subspecialty can
be pursued, if desired. Subspecialty certification is
obtained from the ABPN or UCNS.
The American Academy of Neurology offers free
membership for medical students interested in
pursuing the neurosciences as a career. The Student
Interest Group in Neurology (SIGN) program
provides opportunities to learn more about the
field and participate in clinical, research, and service
activities. For more information about the American
Academy of Neurology, visit aan.com, Facebook,
Twitter, Google+ and YouTube.
Neurology
61
options include:
Neurology
Autonomic Disorders (UCNS)

Behavioral Neurology and neuropsychiatry (UCNS)
Brain Injury Medicine (ACGME)
Clinical neuromuscular (UCNS)
Clinical neurophysiology (ACGME)
Epilepsy (ACGME)
Geriatric neurology (UCNS)
Headache Medicine (UCNS)
Hospice & Palliative Care Medicine (ACGME)
Neural Repair and Rehabilitation (UCNS)
Neurocritical Care (UCNS)
Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (ACGME)
Neuroimaging (UCNS)
Neuromuscular Medicine (ACGME)

Neuro-oncology (UCNS)
Pain Medicine (ACGME)
Sleep Medicine (ACGME)
Vascular neurology (ACGME)
Visit the American Academy of Neurology website
(aan.com/fellowship) for more information
on fellowships.

American Academy of Neurology
201 Chicago Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Telephone: (800) 879-1960
Website: aan.com
Match Data
Career Information
GY1
2014
380
Number of programs
80
952
192
38
50.5
373
98.2
5
GY2
320
Number of programs
71
803
195
8
60.9
308
96.3
Number of unfilled
8
All
Total positions*
723
389
1.9
480
62

Academic year
20132014
130
3/4
1/0
completion
Sometimes
199.7
interview
Residents
2,207
16.9
42.8
graduates
41.2
Average percent DOs
10
Faculty
faculty
29.5
resident/fellow
1.9

64.7
1.2
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
21.8
11.5
$51,733
3.3

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
14,360
13,223
9,518
2,270
1,435
155
257
648
77

2013
596

With known plans
550

491

35
Group practice
19

In same specialty
32

12

Academician
16
Full-time
16
Military
5
2
1
Unemployed
0
Neurology
63
Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear Medicine
A nuclear medicine specialist employs the properties

of radioactive chemicals for diagnosis and therapy.
Radioactive chemicals are used to produce images
that provide information about organ function, as
well as cellular function on a molecular level, which
is known as molecular imaging. Molecular imaging
can be combined with anatomical imaging by using
specialized cameras.
The most common diagnostic applications of nuclear
medicine include the early detection of coronary
artery disease, cancer diagnosis, and staging and
the evaluation of the effect of cancer treatment.
The fusion of molecular and anatomical information
increases diagnostic accuracy and changes medical
management. Radioactive materials are also used to
treat a variety of health problems, including thyroid
disorders and cancer.
Overview
Provided by Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
Nuclear medicine is a medical imaging specialty that

uses radioactive materials to diagnose and treat a
variety of diseases. Nuclear medicine procedures
encompass many medical specialties, including
oncologic, cardiologic, pulmonary, gastrointestinal,
endocrine, psychiatric, orthopaedic, and infectious
and inflammatory disorders.
Nuclear medicine procedures are the major clinical
applications of molecular imaging and molecular
therapy using targeted probes. Innovative nuclear
medicine procedures and treatments designed
for various molecular targets within the body are
changing paradigms for approaches to a range of
diseases and conditions.
As a nuclear medicine physician, you are expected
to have good general medical knowledge and
understand basic nuclear physics, biologic effects
of radiation exposure, principles of imaging
instruments and basic radiochemistry. Your
knowledge in these areas is essential for accurate
interpretation of nuclear medicine studies and in
successful discussions with referring providers.
In general, those who favor indirect patient
interactions or consultation positions rather than
direct patient management and long-term patient
care enjoy nuclear medicine. Interest in technology,
64
medical imaging, physics, radiochemistry and

research will provide a good background for a
successful career in nuclear medicine.
Nuclear medicine physicians mostly work regular
hours, on average about eight to 10 hours a day,
with relatively scarce emergency cases. Although
uncommon, in certain places part-time work is
also feasible. A work-life balance is easy to obtain
in nuclear medicine compared with other medical
specialties. Most nuclear medicine physicians
practice in a hospital or academic medical center
setting, while others can be involved in private
practices or even purely research.
As a nuclear medicine physician, general knowledge
of medicine is essential because youll encounter
patients of all demographics, diagnoses and medical
conditions. The majority of encounters with patients
are through indirect interaction as a consultant.
However, nuclear physicians may directly interact
with patients through interviews and also through
various radioactive material therapies (e.g., I-131
treatment for hyperthyroid and post-thyroidectomy
thyroid cancer, radioimmunotherapy for refractory
lymphoma therapies, and palliative bone pain
treatments).
There are three main pathways to obtain a board
certification in nuclear medicine:
Directly applying for a three-year nuclear medicine
residency after an initial clinical internship year
One-year fellowship after diagnostic radiology
residency
Two-year fellowship after completion of residency
in other specialties
In addition, fellowship training is available for
nuclear physicians in positron emission tomography/
computed tomography (PET/CT) and molecular
medicine research in certain large academic
institutions. These programs may prepare you better
for a more specialized field in nuclear medicine such
as positron emission tomography.

Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
1850 Samuel Morse Drive
Reston, VA 20190
Telephone: (703) 708-9000
Fax: (703) 708-9020
Website: snmmi.org
GY2
Number of programs
Number of unfilled
2014
4
4
2
0
0
0
2
50
2
Career Information

Academic year
20132014
48
3
1
interview
196.5
Residents
102
2.1
30
graduates
61
Average percent DOs
7.2
Faculty
faculty
20.3
resident/fellow
3

47.6
Average maximum consecutive hours on duty 13
1.8
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
60.7
7.5
$49,808*
3.4

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
1,414
1,260
862
118
280
35
35
60
24

2013
52

With known plans
40

23

5
Group practice
4

In same specialty
4

1

Academician
5
Full-time
5
Military
2
2
1
Unemployed
2
65
Nuclear Medicine
Match Data
Obstetrics and
Gynecology
An obstetrician/gynecologist focuses on the health

of women before, during and after childbearing
years, diagnosing and treating conditions of the
reproductive system and associated disorders.
Overview
Provided by American Congress of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists
Obstetrics and gynecology is a diverse, challenging

and rewarding specialty. It combines medical
and surgical skills to address aspects of womens
health during the entire life cycle. An obstetrician/
gynecologist (OB/GYN) has particular expertise
in pregnancy, childbirth and disorders of the
reproductive system. This includes preventive
care, prenatal care, detection of sexually
transmitted diseases, Pap test screening, oncology,
reconstructive surgery and family planning.
Individually, an OB/GYN is a physician who has
successfully completed specialized education and
training in the management of pregnancy, labor
and puerperium as well as the female reproductive
system, including the diagnosis and treatment
of disorders and diseases. As caregivers, they are able
to work with myriad medical and surgical issues that
arise through pregnancy and the entire life span.
Obstetrics and gynecology is attractive as a career
because it provides health care to diverse groups of
women, with an emphasis on disease prevention
and providing continuity of care. Nearly 80 percent
of patients seen by OB/GYNs are aged 15 to 45,
when preventive care can be of significant benefit in
preserving health and when many patients are open
to prevention messages. Participating in the miracle
of birth and the resulting emotional rewards last a
lifetime and are important reasons for satisfaction
in the specialty. This major life event often creates
a long-lasting bond between the patient
and physician.7
For students who enjoy working with their hands
and are attracted to a procedure-based specialty,
you may be surprised at how many surgical and
office procedures are done by OB/GYNs. Major
7
surgeries include abdominal and vaginal procedures,

such as hysterectomy, laparoscopic surgery
(sometimes with robotic assistance), hysteroscopic
procedures, or laparotomy with surgery on the
pelvic organs. Office procedures may include
amniocentesis, umbilical vein sampling, colposcopy,
abortion, conization of the cervix, hysteroscopy and
saline-infused sonograms.
Obstetrics and gynecology is also a specialty that
offers flexible schedules, whether youre in a private,
group or academic practice. Call groups have been
developed to give physicians greater flexibility with
on-call days and working hours. You can choose your
scope of practice: part time, office-only gynecology,
hospital inpatient care, large group, academic faculty
or obstetric surgery. Obstetrics and gynecology is
uniquely suited to students who desire variety in
their practice, as most physicians in this specialty
spend approximately half of their time in the office
and half of their time either in labor and delivery or
in the operating room. According to the Bureau of
Labor Statistics, on average OB/GYNs earn equal to
or greater than $166,400 per year.
obstetrics/gynecology are set by the American Board
of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG). Physicians
who pass the written and oral examination are
granted board-certified status in obstetrics and
gynecology, which is a prerequisite to subspecialty
certification.
The American Congress of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists (ACOG) offers medical students
resources including free membership and low
registration fees at meetings, access to ACOGs
library for research documents and more
(acog.org/medstudents).
options include:
Breast fellowship
Family planning
Gynecologic oncology
Maternal-fetal medicine (MFM or perinatology)
Minimally invasive surgery
Pediatric and adolescent gynecology
Reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI)
Urogynecology (female pelvic medicine and
reconstructive surgery)
PGO-CREOG Committee on Career Counseling. Comprehensive Womens Health Care: A Career in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
A
Washington, DC: American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; 2005:6.
66

American Congress of Obstetricians
and Gynecologists
409 12th St. S.W.
Websites: acog.org
acog.org/medstudents (medical student site)
GY1
2014
1,242
Number of programs
233
1,798
950
131
76.5
1,234
99.4
5
All
Total positions*
1,242
1,038
1.2
581
Career Information

Academic year
20132014
242
4
0
interview
200
Residents
4,942
20.4
81.8
16.5
graduates
Average percent DOs
12.7
Faculty
48.1
faculty
1.3
resident/fellow
69
1.3
(program year 1)
27.3
outpatient clinics
11.5
$50,508
3.2

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
40,045
38,967
31,404
4,713
2,850
342
489
182
65
67
Match Data

2013
1,209

With known plans
1,102

268

662
Group practice
486

In same specialty
584

284

68
Academician
Full-time
Military
Unemployed
134
127
22
8
4
4
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmologists are physicians trained to manage

the entire spectrum of diseases of the eye, orbit, and
surrounding lid tissues. They can prescribe glasses,
contact lenses, and refractive surgery for refractive
errors of the eye. They diagnose and manage
medical and surgical conditions of the eye and
ocular manifestations of systemic disease.
Overview
Provided by American Academy of Ophthalmology
Cataract/Anterior Segment
Cornea/External Disease
Glaucoma
Neuro-Ophthalmology/Orbit
Ocular Pathology/Oncology
Oculoplastics/Orbit
Pediatric Ophthalmology/Strabismus
Refractive Management/Intervention
Retina/Vitreous
Uveitis
Many major ophthalmic diseases (cataracts,

glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic
retinopathy) have their most significant impacts
after age 65. Yet ophthalmology also has a rich
systemic interface throughout a patients life.
Nearly every multiorgan systemic disease has
ophthalmologic features. Many neurologic diseases
affect vision, visual fields, or ocular motility. Ocular
emergencies, while infrequent, can be management
challenges and may have huge personal impact
for patients.
About 40 percent of ophthalmologists complete
a one- or two-year post-residency fellowship and
about 15 percent pursue a career in academic
ophthalmology. Compensation falls in the top half
of all specialties.
ACGME-approved fellowships are available in all nine
subspecialties. However, only oculoplastics/orbit has
an approved subspecialty status with the American
Board of Ophthalmology (ABO).

American Academy of Ophthalmology
655 Beach St.
San Francisco, CA 94109
Website: aao.org
Member Services
Telephone: (415) 561-8581
US toll free: (866) 561-8558
Email: member_services@aao.org
69
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology is the medical specialty concerned

with the medical and surgical care of the eye, orbit,
optic tract and visual cortex. Training consists of
a 3-year residency program following a 1-year
clinical post-graduate year program in internal
medicine, pediatrics, general surgery, or transitional
year. During ophthalmology residency there are
broad clinic, hospital consultative, and operative
experiences in a variety of disciplines (subspecialties)
including:
About 75 percent of members of the ophthalmic

community are in private practicesome solo,
some single subspecialty and some multispecialty.
Ophthalmology is particularly rewarding in that its
members have the option to treat patients from the
neonatal period to the tenth decade of life and to,
in many cases, deliver immediate improvements in
quality of life. Nearly 50 percent of ophthalmology
residents are women, since it permits mixing a
rewarding professional life with a full personal life.
Match Data
Data from San Francisco Matching Program
GY1
2014
461
419
91
460
99.8
Source: Ophthalmology Residency Matching Program (2014)
Career Information
Ophthalmology

Academic year
20132014
117
3/4
1
interview
210.4
Residents
1,323
11.4
43.5
Average percent DOs
2.3
Faculty
faculty
29.7
resident/fellow
1.8
70

52
1.6
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
87.8
10.3
$52,118
3.3

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
19,100
18,701
16,114
1,624
963
86
154
132
27

2013
459

With known plans
378

266

73
Group practice
48

In same specialty
69

30

Academician
32
Full-time
32
Military
2
1
1
Unemployed
3
Orthopaedic Surgery
An orthopaedic surgeon is educated in the

preservation, investigation and restoration of
the form and function of the extremities, spine
and associated structures by medical, surgical
and physical means. This specialist is involved
with the care of patients whose musculoskeletal
problems include congenital deformities, trauma,
infections, tumors, metabolic disturbances of the
musculoskeletal system, deformities, injuries and
degenerative diseases of the spine, hands, feet, knee,
hip, shoulder and elbow in children and adults.
An orthopaedic surgeon is also concerned with
primary and secondary muscular problems and
the effects of central or peripheral nervous system
lesions of the musculoskeletal system.
Overview
Provided by American Orthopaedic Association
Orthopaedics is the study of diseases and disorders

of the muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones of
the body in patients of all ages. This encompasses
fractures, injuries and diseases of the spine, pelvis,
arms and legs.
Orthopaedics is a rewarding career for those who

choose to enter the subspecialty. The surgeries
performed typically are among the most reliable,
cost-effective procedures in health care. In many
cases, patients achieve relief of their symptoms
within several weeks to months after surgery,
and quickly return to their preoperative function.
Commonly performed procedures include total
The field of orthopaedics is diverse, with a wide

range of subspecialties and a significant variance
in amount of time devoted to clinical or surgical
practice in each subspecialty. Recent surveys report
that, on average, orthopaedic surgeons work 61
hours per week, with two-thirds of orthopaedic
surgeons working less than 65 hours each week,
and take four weeks of vacation, not including eight
working days for professional meetings and nine
working days for education and training.
There are many options for practice in orthopaedics,
including both urban and rural settings. Nearly
75 percent of surgeons are in private practice, with
45 percent reporting a teaching appointment at
a hospital. While most surgeons work full time,
11 percent of current orthopaedic surgeons are part
time. Almost 60 percent of orthopaedic surgeons
report having completed at least one fellowship,
with the most popular being sports medicine, adult
reconstruction (total joints) and hand.9
As is the case in most medical specialties, the salary
of orthopaedic surgeons varies by subspecialty,
experience and location. The median net income
in 2007 was $356,000 for full-time orthopaedic
surgeons. Surgeons who subspecialize and those in
private practice have higher incomes. Many private
practice orthopaedic surgeons are also part owners
of imaging machines, surgical centers or hospitals
as a source of supplementary income.
Orthopaedic Surgery
As the US population continues to age and be active,

the demand for orthopaedic surgeons continues
to increase, and joint replacements will continue to
increase as a result. Arthritis accounted for 44 million
office visits and 1 million hospital visits in 2004. In
addition, 50 percent of all adults reported a chronic
musculoskeletal condition, including osteoporosis.
This accounts for more than twice that of chronic
circulatory or pulmonary conditions.8
joint replacement, fracture fixation and arthroscopic

surgery of various joints. With orthopaedics being a
surgical subspecialty, the ability to perform manual
tasks in the operating room is required.
Orthopaedics has the following subspecialties:

Adult reconstruction (total joints)
Foot/ankle
Hand
Oncology
Pediatrics
Shoulder/elbow
Spine
Sports medicine
Trauma
Andersson, Gunnar BJ, et al. The Burden of Musculoskeletal Diseases in the United States. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons;
Rosemont, IL: 2008.
9
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Orthopaedic Practice and Medical Income in the US 2004-2005. American Academy of
Orthopaedic Surgeons; Rosemont, IL: 2005:2-14.
8
71

American Orthopaedic Association
6300 N. River Road, Suite 505
Rosemont, IL 60018
Telephone: (847) 318-7330
Email: info@aoassn.org
Website: aoassn.org
Match Data
GY1
2014
695
Number of programs
192
1,032
649
1
93.4
693
99.7
2
All
Total positions*
695

838
0.8
156
Career Information
Orthopaedic Surgery

Academic year
20132014
155
5
1/0
completion
Sometimes
interview
218.8
72
Residents
3,529
22.7
12.9
graduates
1.9
Average percent DOs
1.3
Faculty
faculty
9.1
resident/fellow
0.9
68.6
1.2
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
31.7
14.8
$50,215
3.1

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
21,797
21,441
16,194
3,723
1,524
90
125
63
78

2013
672

With known plans
611

556

27
Group practice
19

In same specialty
24

11

Orthopaedic Surgery/
Orthopaedic Sports
Medicine
An orthopaedic surgeon educated in sports

medicine has expertise in the surgical and medical
care for all structures of the musculoskeletal
system directly affected by participation in
Career Information
4
4
22
1
0
1
sporting activity. This specialist is proficient in

areas including conditioning, training and fitness,
athletic performance and the impact of dietary
supplements, pharmaceuticals, and nutrition on
performance and health, coordination of care
within the team setting utilizing other health care
professionals, field evaluation and management, soft
tissue biomechanics and injury healing and repair.
Knowledge and understanding of the principles and
techniques of rehabilitation, athletic equipment and
orthotic devices enables the specialist to prevent
and manage athletic injuries.
Faculty
Average number of full-time physician faculty
faculty
resident/fellow
Average maximum consecutive hours on duty
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
6.9
0.2
7.2
4
52.2
16.1
1.6
43.5
39.4
2.8
73
Orthopaedic Surgery

Academic year
20132014
96
1
5/0
interview
204.7
Residents
171
1.7
10.4
graduates
5.2
Average percent DOs
8.9
Academician
Full-time
Military
Unemployed

Orthopaedic Surgery
Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
74
1,941
1,929
1,646
173
110
3
8
1

2013
189

With known plans
160

14

119
Group practice
86

In same specialty
104

25

Academician
21
Full-time
20
Military
4
0
1
Unemployed
1
Otolaryngology
An otolaryngologisthead and neck surgeon

provides medical and/or surgical therapy or
prevention of diseases, allergies, neoplasms,
deformities, disorders and/or injuries of the
ears, nose, sinuses, throat, respiratory and upper
alimentary systems, face, jaws, and the other
head and neck systems. Head and neck oncology,
facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, and the
treatment of disorders of hearing and voice are
fundamental areas of expertise.
Overview
Provided by American Academy of OtolaryngologyHead
and Neck Surgery
Otolaryngologyhead and neck surgery is a highly

competitive field involved in treating a wide variety
of patients of all ages with diseases of the head and
neck area such as thyroid and parathyroid disorders,
salivary gland disorders, hearing and balance
disorders, sinonasal disorders, voice and swallowing
disorders, cancers of the head and neck, pediatric
otolaryngologic issues, and sleep disorders.
A major part of this specialty is the treatment of
different benign and malignant tumors of the head
and neck that can have impact on function. The
role of the otolaryngologist goes well beyond the
excision of such tumors to include reconstruction
of the resultant defect and restoration of function
using microvascular free flaps whenever necessary.
Adding to the specialtys uniqueness is that patients
can be diagnosed and managed medically and/
or surgically by the same provider, giving the
otolaryngologist the advantage of being involved
in the care of the patient early in the process.
10
Otolaryngology residency training is five years and

among the most competitive of residency programs.
The first year includes experience in general surgery
and introduction/exposure to related and essential
fields such as neurosurgery, anesthesiology, critical
care medicine and emergency medicine. Plastics
and reconstructive surgery are also included in
the curriculum, as otolaryngologists skills are not
limited to disease control but include improving
appearances and minimizing facial abnormalities.
The last four years of residency are devoted to
otolaryngologyhead and neck surgery training.
A research rotation is an integral part of the
otolaryngology residency.
Otolaryngologists benefit from a flexible career that
enables them to maintain a more desirable worklife balance. Otolaryngologists have the option to
pursue academics, private practice or mixed careers,
each with different demands and rewards.
Similar to other specialties, otolaryngologists
incomes vary by region, years in practice, and
type of practice. According to the Association
of Otolaryngology Administrators (AOA) 2012
Benchmarking Survey, otolaryngologists annual
mean compensation is $523,133 for an Owner/
Partner and is a mean of $303,018 for a non-owner.10
Fellowship opportunities are available in pediatric
otolaryngology, head and neck oncology, rhinology,
otology-neurotology/skull base surgery, facial plastic
and reconstructive surgery, laryngology and voice
disorders, and sleep medicine.

American Academy of OtolaryngologyHead
and Neck Surgery
1650 Diagonal Road
Telephone: (703) 836-4444
Website: entnet.org
Otolaryngology
Technical innovations have helped to broaden

the breadth of the specialty. One, among
many examples, is cochlear implant technology,
which has changed the lives of many hearingimpaired individuals by improving their means of
communication and broadening their career and
professional choices. Advancements in endoscopy,
robotic surgery and lasers have made minimally
invasive surgery of the head and neck and even the
skull base area possible.
Otolaryngologists in general are meticulous and

pay attention to details, as most of the procedures
involved work around or in close proximity to
many important and vital structuresthe major
vessels of the head and neck, the facial nerve, the
airway, organs of balance and hearing, and the
cranial cavity.
ssociation of Otolaryngology Administrators. 2012 Administrators Benchmarking Survey. Pittsburgh, PA: Association
A
of Otolaryngology Administrators; 2012.
75
Match Data
GY1
2014
295
Number of programs
106
443
279
0
94.6
295
100
0
All
Total positions*
295
368
0.8
57
Career Information
Otolaryngology

Academic year
20132014
106
5
0
218.4
interview
Residents
1,454
13.7
35.2
Average percent DOs
0.3
Faculty
19.1
faculty
1.3
resident/fellow
76

67.6
1.2
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
37.2
9.1
$50,150
3.1

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
10,311
10,123
7,811
1,563
749
54
92
27
15

2013
272

With known plans
234

135

67
Group practice
55

In same specialty
66

20

Academician
20
Full-time
20
Military
9
0
3
Unemployed
0
A physician who specializes in pain medicine

diagnoses and treats patients experiencing problems
with acute, chronic and/or cancer pain in both
hospital and outpatient settings and coordinates
patient care needs with other specialists.
Overview
Provided by American Academy of Pain Medicine
The specialty of pain medicine is concerned

with the study of pain, prevention of pain, and
the evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of
persons in pain. Some conditions may have pain
and associated symptoms arising from a discrete
cause, such as postoperative pain or pain associated
with a malignancy, or may be conditions in which
pain constitutes the primary problem, such as
neuropathic pains or headaches.
The evaluation of painful syndromes includes
interpretation of historical data; review of previous
laboratory, imaging and electrodiagnostic studies;
assessment of behavioral, social, occupational and
avocational issues; and interview and examination
of the patient by the pain specialist. It may require
specialized diagnostic procedures, including central
and peripheral neural blockade or monitored drug
infusions. The special needs of the pediatric and
geriatric populations, and patients cultural contexts,
are considered when formulating a comprehensive
treatment plan.
The pain physician serves as a consultant to other
physicians but is often the principal treating
physician and may provide care at various levels,
such as direct treatment, prescribing medication,
prescribing rehabilitation services, performing
pain relieving procedures, counseling patients
and families, directing a multidisciplinary team,
coordinating care with other health care providers,
and providing consultative services to public and
private agencies pursuant to optimal health care

delivery to the patient suffering from pain. The
pain physician may work in a variety of settings
and is competent to treat the entire range of pain
encountered in the delivery of quality health care.
Pain Medicine
Pain Medicine
Physicians can obtain an American Board of Medical
Specialties (ABMS) Subspecialty Certificate in pain
medicine after completing a residency program in
one of the following areas:
Anesthesiology
Physical medicine and rehabilitation
Psychiatry
Neurology
Emergency Medicine
Beyond residency, one-year fellowship training
is available through pain medicine programs
accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate
Medical Education (ACGME).

American Academy of Pain Medicine
Chicago, IL 60631
Telephone: (847) 375-4731
Fax: (847) 375-6477
Email: info@painmed.org
Website: painmed.org

Appointments 2014
261
Number of programs
82
398
186
71.3
256
98.1
4
77
Pain Medicine
Career Information
Academic year
20132014
97
1
3/4
interview
202.6
Residents
294
3
16.9
graduates
18.8
Average percent DOs
12.6
Faculty
faculty
23.1
resident/fellow
3.3
50.4
1.8
(progran year 1)
75.9
outpatient clinics
22.9
$59,710
3.4
78

Total physicians
1,640
Patient care
1,605
Office based
1,251
Residents
269
Hospital staff
85
Administration
1
Medical teaching
29
Research
2
Other 3

2013
285

With known plans
219

5

155
Group practice
96

In same specialty
138

54

Academician
54
Full-time
52
Military
3
0
1
Unemployed
1
Pathology
Overview
Provided by College of American Pathologists and American
Society for Clinical Pathology
Pathology is the medical specialty that studies the

causes, processes, development and consequences
of disease and disease therapies. Pathology
impacts virtually every other specialty of medicine.
It incorporates the latest laboratory medicine
technology to provide information that serves
as the foundation for medical diagnosis, patient
treatment and research.
Within the spectrum of pathology, people often
refer to two broad categories, anatomic and clinical
pathology:
Anatomic pathology is concerned with
the diagnosis of disease based on the gross,
microscopic, chemical, immunologic and
molecular examination of organs, tissues and
whole bodies. Some of the subspecialties in
anatomic pathology include breast pathology,
dermatopathology, gastrointestinal pathology,
genitourinary pathology, gynecologic pathology,
hematopathology and pulmonary pathology.
Some of the methods used in anatomic pathology
are surgical pathology, cytopathology and
molecular pathology.
Pathologists hold a central position on the patient

care teamnot only do they provide and interpret
laboratory information to help solve diagnostic
problems, but their diagnoses form the foundation
for effective therapy. With the development of new,
highly complex tests, clinicians rely on pathologists
for guidance and direction on which laboratory
tests to perform and what treatments would
be most effective based on the laboratory results.
Pathologists stand ready to play an even more
critical role in the emerging world of personalized
medicine.
Work in the field of pathology is varied, challenging
and quite rewarding. Over the course of a single
day, a pathologist can impact nearly all aspects of
medicinefrom prevention and primary care to
cancer and chronic disease. Since pathology touches
all of medicine, pathologists work with clinicians in
all areas. Their skill sets combine clinical training
and laboratory expertise to equip them to consult
with physicians from all specialties as well as a
broad range of patients. Pathologists arent just
holed up in the laboratory; theyre constantly
communicating with one another and other
physicians, patients, laboratory personnel and
individuals in the hospital and community as they
work to solve diagnostic problems.
Pathologists practice in a variety of urban and rural
settings (such as private laboratories, hospitals,
academic centers and multispecialty practices)
within a wide scope of subspecialties and different
career paths. Their practices vary in size from solo
practices to large multinational companies, with
about 60 percent in smaller practices of fewer than
79
Pathology
A pathologist deals with the causes and nature of

disease and contributes to diagnosis, prognosis
and treatment through knowledge gained by the
laboratory application of the biologic, chemical and
physical sciences. This specialist uses information
gathered from the microscopic examination of tissue
specimens, cells and body fluids, and from clinical
laboratory tests on body fluids and secretions for
the diagnosis, exclusion and monitoring of disease.
Clinical pathology is concerned with the diagnosis

of disease based on the laboratory analysis
of bodily fluids (such as blood and urine) and
tissues using the tools of chemistry, microbiology,
hematology and molecular pathology. Clinical
pathology in its laboratory setting covers
hematology, clinical chemistry (including
toxicology), microbiology (including immunology)
and the blood bank (transfusion medicine).
10 pathologists who influence the care of thousands

of patients.
According to the 2012 American Society for Clinical
Pathology Fellowship & Job Market Surveys, 38
percent of median starting salaries for pathologists
ranged between $150,000 and $200,000. Among
the five fellowship specialties surveyed, 69
percent of transfusion medicine pathologists,
56 percent of forensic pathologists, 43 percent
of hematopathologists, 33 percent of pediatric
pathologists, and 24 percent of neuropathologists
earned the median salary.11
Pathology
Accredited residency training for pathologists
typically takes four years. The majority of graduating
pathology residents seek fellowship training before
searching for jobs. Fellowships are viewed as
crucial for employment opportunities and career
pathway advancement, as well as enhancing their
necessary skills in pathology. The top 10 choices for
subspecialty fellowship training in order of highest
priority are:
1. Surgical pathology
2. Cytopathology
3. Hematopathology
4. Gastrointestinal/hepatic pathology
5. Dermatopathology
6. Blood banking/transfusion medicine
7. Genitourinary pathology
8. Breast pathology
9. Molecular genetic pathology
10. Forensic pathology11
The survey also indicated that approximately
95 percent of pathology residents sought fellowship
training in 2012. About 35 percent of fellows in 2012
decided to pursue two or more fellowships in 2013
before entering the job market. Currently, the job
situation for new pathologists is mixed; the majority
of fellows received job offers within six months,
11
but some fellows needed up to a year. The highest

percentages to find a job within six months to a
year were 33 percent in pediatric pathology and
31 percent in transfusion medicine.11
When new pathologists do look for employment,
they rank their top five criteria as long-term job
security, job availability in a specific geographic
area, salary considerations, career advancement
and research opportunities.

325 Waukegan Road
Northfield, IL 60093
Telephone: (800) 323-4040
Fax: (847) 832-8000
Websites: cap.org
cap.org/residents (resident site)
facebook/capathologists
twitter/pathologists
Washington, DC, office (advocacy)
1350 I St. N.W., Suite 590
Telephone: (800) 392-9994
Fax: (202) 354-7155
American Society for Clinical Pathology
33 W. Monroe St., Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60640
Telephone: (800) 267-2727
Fax: (312) 541-4767
Websites: ascp.org
facebook.com/ASCP.Chicago
twitter.com/ASCP_Chicago
Washington, DC, office (advocacy and
government relations):
1225 New York Ave. N.W., Suite 350
Telephone: (202) 347-4450
Fax: (202) 347-4453
R inder HM, Wagner J. 2012 ASCP Fellowship & Job Market Surveys: A Report on the Resident In-Service Examination (RISE), the Fellow
Forensic In-Service Examination (FISE), the Fellowship In-Service Hematopathology Examination (FISHE), and the Fellow Transfusion
Medicine In-Service Examination (TMISE) Surveys. ascp.org/PDF/Fellowship-Reports/Fellowship-Job-Market-2012.pdf
80
Match Data
Career Information

Academic year
20132014
142
4
0
interview
199.7
Residents
2,276
16
54
graduates
40.2
Average percent DOs
9.1
Faculty
faculty
38.4
resident/fellow
1.8

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
13,172
11,397
7,038
2,255
2,104
377
350
379
669

2013
600

With known plans
552

493

17
Group practice
7

In same specialty
14

6

Academician
17
Full-time
17
Military
8
11
3
Unemployed
3
81
Pathology
GY1
2014
597
Number of programs
153
863
256
51
42.9
546
91.5
31
All
Total positions*
597
261
2.3
457

51.7
1.7
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
6.4
3.4
$50,345
3.2
Pathology/
Cytopathology
Pathology
A cytopathologist is an anatomic pathologist trained

in the diagnosis of human disease by means of the
study of cells obtained from body secretions and
fluids by scraping, washing or sponging the surface
of a lesion, or by the aspiration of a tumor mass or
body organ with a fine needle.
A major aspect of a cytopathologists practice is
the interpretation of Papanicolaou-stained smears
of cells from the female reproductive systems, the
Pap test. However, the cytopathologists expertise
is applied to the diagnosis of cells from all systems
and areas of the body. He/she is a consultant to all
medical specialists.
Overview
Provided by American Society of Cytopathology
Cytopathology is a diagnostic technique that

examines cells from various body sites to determine
the cause or the nature of disease. The first
cytopathology test developed was the Pap test,
which has been widely utilized in the last 50 years
for screening and diagnosing of cervical cancer and
its precursors. The Pap test is considered the most
successful screening test in medical history.
Since the development of the Pap test, the practice
of cytopathology has expanded to include samples
from nearly all body sites. Cell samples are taken
for analysis as part of many diagnostic tests such
as bronchoscopy or cystoscopy. In addition, nearly
any tissue mass can be sampled and diagnosed by
fine needle aspiration biopsy. In this procedure, cells
are aspirated from masses just below the skin in the
doctors office or during a radiologic examination.
This approach allows diagnosis of a lesion with
minimal discomfort to the patient and guides the
primary physician in the next steps in patient
follow-up.
82
Cytopathologists are medical doctors who have

completed a four-year pathology residency
program; many cytopathologists spend an
additional year of training in an approved
fellowship program. They are responsible for
review and interpretation of cytopathology tests.
C
ytopathologists maintain a patient-centered
approach by performing fine needle aspirations
with on-site adequacy assessment in collaboration
with radiologists and primary care physicians.
C
ytopathologists examine cells that have been
exfoliated (shed), scraped from the body or
aspirated with a fine needle. Cell specimens
are processed into slides and examined
microscopically for the diagnosis of cancer,
precancerous conditions, benign tumors and
some infectious conditions. The test results are
communicated to the primary physician for
medical or surgical treatment and follow-up
with patients.
Upon completion of an accredited cytopathology
training program, cytopathologists may pursue
board certification and Maintenance of Certification
(MOC) by the American Board of Pathology.

American Society of Cytopathology
100 W. 10th St., Suite 605
Wilmington, DE 19801
Telephone: (302) 543-6583
Website: cytopathology.org
325 Waukegan Road
Telephone: (800) 323-4040
Fax: (847) 832-8000
Websites: cap.org
Career Information

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
1,034
949
691
132
126
3
59
3
20

2013
125

With known plans
107

34

42
Group practice
26

In same specialty
37

13

Academician
22
Full-time
21
Military
1
0
2
Unemployed
6
83
Pathology

Academic year
20132014
93
1
3
198.3
interview
Residents
135
1.4
61.3
39.6
graduates
Average percent DOs
9.3
Faculty
50.4
faculty
4.5
resident/fellow
47.6
1.9

(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
19.7
8.2
$57,764
3.3
Pediatrics
Pediatrics is a specialty that focuses on the physical,

emotional and social health of children from birth
to 21 years. Pediatric care encompasses a broad
spectrum of health services ranging from preventive
health care to the diagnosis and treatment of acute
and chronic diseases.
Pediatrics is a discipline that deals with biological,
social and environmental influences on the
developing child and with the impact of disease
and dysfunction on development. Children differ
anatomically, physiologically, immunologically,
psychologically, developmentally and metabolically
from adults.
Pediatrics
The pediatrician understands the constantly

changing functional status of his or her patients,
incident to growth and development, and the
consequent changing standards of normal for
age. A pediatrician is a medical specialist who is
primarily concerned with the health, welfare and
development of children, and is uniquely qualified
for these endeavors by virtue of interest and initial
training. Maintenance of these competencies is
achieved through experience, training, continuous
education, self-assessment and practice
improvement.
A pediatrician is able to accurately define the childs
health status as well as serve as a consultant and to
make use of other specialists as consultants. Because
the childs welfare is heavily dependent on the home
and family, the pediatrician supports efforts to create
a nurturing environment. Such support includes
education about healthful living and anticipatory
guidance for both patients and parents.
A pediatrician participates at the community level in
preventing or solving problems in child health care
and publicly advocates the causes of children.
12
Overview
Provided by American Academy of Pediatrics
Developmentally oriented and trained in skilled

assessment, pediatricians patient-care lenses are
focused on prevention, detection and management
of physical, behavioral, developmental and social
problems that affect children.
Pediatricians diagnose and treat infections, injuries
and many types of organic disease and dysfunction.
They work to reduce infant and child mortality, foster
healthy lifestyles, and ease the day-to-day difficulties
of those with chronic conditions. With structured
evaluation and early intervention, pediatricians
identify and address developmental and behavioral
problems that result from exposure to psychosocial
stressors. They appreciate the vulnerability of
childhood and adolescence, and actively advocate
for measures to protect their health and safety.
The ability to communicate effectively with patients,
families, teachers and social service professionals
is key to effective pediatric care. Pediatricians
collaborate with pediatric subspecialists and other
medical and surgical specialists in the treatment of
complex diseases and disorders. They work closely
with other health professionals concerned with the
emotional needs of children. They advise educators
and child care professionals. They are major
advocates for access to care and a medical home
for all children.
Opportunities for graduates of pediatric residencies
are diverse and numerous:
Ninety-one percent of residents seeking a general
practice position report obtaining one of their two
most desired position.12
Training in general pediatrics is also the portal
for careers in the pediatric subspecialties.
Because many pediatric subspecialties are
currently experiencing workforce shortages or
are anticipated to experience such shortages in
the near future, a healthy supply of graduates of
general pediatrics residency programs is essential
to ensure an adequate pediatric subspecialty
workforce.
American Academy of Pediatrics. 2014 AAP Third-Year Resident Survey (unpublished data).
84
Flexible jobs are more common in pediatrics than in

any other specialty:
Pediatrics is at the forefront of the trend toward
more flexible work arrangements for physicians.
Thirty-eight percent of graduating pediatric
residents apply for part-time work and more than
halfone in five graduating pediatric residents
accept a part-time position. Data indicate that
26 percent of pediatricians versus 14 percent of
all physicians have worked part time at some point
in their careers.13
Pediatrics is a specialty that offers a broad spectrum
of rewarding career options. Pediatricians are free
to choose one or more practice settings and styles
and they may pursue a wide variety of interests.
Generalist pediatricians are needed now and in the
future to serve as educators, mentors, hospitalists
and researchers. Rewarding careers are also
available in public health, international health,
health policy and administrative leadership.
Combined Training Programs
Internal medicine-pediatrics (med-peds)

(four years)
Pediatrics/anesthesiology (five years)
Pediatrics/dermatology (five years)
Pediatrics/emergency medicine (five years)
Pediatrics/medical genetics (five years)
Pediatrics/physical medicine and rehabilitation
(five years)
Pediatrics-psychiatry/child and adolescent
psychiatry (five years)
13

options include:
Adolescent medicine
Allergy and immunology
Anesthesiology
Cardiology
Child abuse pediatrics
Critical care medicine
Dermatology
Developmental-behavioral pediatrics
Emergency medicine
Endocrinology
Gastroenterology
Genetics
Hematology-oncology
Hospice and palliative medicine
Hospital medicine
Infectious diseases
Medical toxicology
Neonatal-perinatal medicine
Nephrology
Neurodevelopmental disabilities
Neurology
Otolaryngology
Pathology
Pulmonology
Radiology
Rehabilitation
Rheumatology
Sleep medicine
Sports medicine
Surgery
Transplant hepatology
Urology
Pediatrics
The American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) has

cooperative arrangements with several other
specialty boards for combined training. Students
who successfully complete these programs and
pass certification examinations administered by
all boards involved are said to be double-boarded
(or in some cases, triple-boarded). Specifics
vary and can be pursued with the ABP and
the other individual specialty boards, whose
contact information is linked to the ABP website
(abp.org). The ABP-approved combined training
programs include:

141 Northwest Point Blvd.
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Websites: aap.org
aap.org/ypn (medical student, resident and young
physician site)
Julie Raymond, CAE
Manager, Young Physician Initiatives
Telephone: (847) 434-7137
Email: jraymond@aap.org
merican Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrics 101: A Resource Guide from the American Academy of Pediatrics. American Academy of
A
Pediatrics; Elk Grove Village, IL: 2011:5
85
Match Data
GY1
2014
2,640
Number of programs
194
3,993
1,818
290
68.9
2,627
99.5
4
All
Total positions*
2,715
1,890
1.4
1,358
Preferred positions per independent applicant
2
Career Information
Pediatrics

Academic year
20132014
201
3
0
interview
195.9
Residents
8,529
42.4
72.6
graduates
29.7
Average percent DOs
13.6
Faculty
faculty
47.6
resident/fellow
2.4
86

63.1
1.2
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
32.9
12.1
$50,837
3.4

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
60,411
57,542
44,642
7,630
5,270
1,004
906
696
263

2013
2,671

With known plans
2,321

1,043

848
Group practice
459

In same specialty
721

410

In NHSC or similar underserved
area
22
Academician
376
Full-time
366
Military
26
4
15
Unemployed
9
Physical Medicine
and Rehabilitation
Physical medicine and rehabilitation is concerned

with evaluating and treating patients with short or
long-term physical and/or cognitive impairments
and disability that result from musculoskeletal
conditions (such as neck or back pain, or sports
or work injuries), neurological conditions (such
as stroke, brain injury or spinal cord injury) or
medical conditions.
Physicians have expertise in therapeutic exercise,
medications and injections for management of pain
and spasticity; electrodiagnosis, prostheses (artificial
limbs), orthoses (braces) and other equipment to
assist daily activities; and coordinating treatment to
help patients improve their physical, psychological,
social and vocational function.
Overview
Provided by American Academy of Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation
Physiatrists see a broad range of patientsfrom

infants to octogenariansin a variety of clinical
practices, including inpatient and outpatient
settings. They have a broad range of knowledge
including musculoskeletal, neurological,
rheumatological and cardiovascular systems.
Some of the common diagnoses and populations
seen by inpatient physiatrists include spinal
cord injury, brain injury (traumatic and nontraumatic), stroke, multiple sclerosis, polio,
burn care, and musculoskeletal and pediatric
rehabilitation. Outpatient physiatrists are experts at
nonsurgical management of conditions including
orthopaedic injuries, spine-related pain and
14
Patient interaction is important in order for

physiatrists to understand and treat both the
medical and biopsychosocial issues that accompany
issues of acute/chronic disability. Inpatient
physiatrists often are trained using collaborative
team skills for working with social workers and other
allied health therapists (e.g., physical, occupational
and speech) to manage these issues. Outpatient
physiatrists are typically found in multidisciplinary
groups consisting of other physiatrists, orthopaedic
surgeons and/or neurosurgeons.
Physical medicine and rehabilitation offers a
high level of flexibility in practice, which enables
practitioners to curtail and revitalize their careers as
they see fit. Positions can be found in both academic
and private practice settings. Physicians can choose
to have a mixed inpatient/outpatient practice or a
predominantly outpatient practice.
Income varies according to region, years in
practice and type of practice. According to a survey
conducted by the Association of American Medical
Colleges, physiatrist salaries ranged from $142,000
to $258,000 for full-time medical school faculty.
Historically, private practice positions tend to pay
more when compared with academic centers.14
Overall, physiatrists have demonstrated a high level
of satisfaction with respect to autonomy of practice
and unique skill set in patient management.
Subspecialty fellowships accredited by the ACGME
for physical medicine and rehabilitation include:
Hospice and palliative medicine
Neuromuscular medicine
Pain medicine
Pediatric rehabilitation
Spinal cord injury medicine
Sports medicine
Traumatic brain injury
Association of American Medical Colleges. Report on Medical School Faculty Salaries 2007-2008. AAMC; Washington, DC: 2009.
87
The specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation,

also known as physiatry, manages medical issues
that affect the way people function. Unlike other
medical specialties that focus on a medical cure,
the goals of the physiatrist are to maximize patients
independence in activities of daily living and
improve quality of life.
dysfunction, occupational injuries and overuse

syndromes, neurogenic bowel/bladder, pressure
sore management, spasticity management, and
chronic pain. Procedures commonly performed by
physiatrists include electromyography and nerve
conduction studies, peripheral joint injections,
botulinum toxin injections for spasticity, and
interventional spine injections.
Non-ACGME accredited fellowships available for

physical medicine and rehabilitation include:
Cancer rehabilitation
Multiple sclerosis
Neurorehabilitation
Research
Spine rehabilitation/interventional spine
American Academy of Physical Medicine and

Rehabilitation
9700 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Suite 200
Rosemont, IL 60018
Telephone: (847) 737-6000
Email: info@aapmr.org
Website: aapmr.org
Match Data
GY1
2014
96
Number of programs
28
444
54
28
56.3
96
100
0
GY2
287
Number of programs
62
617
154
83
53.7
287
100
0
All
Total positions*
391
231
1.7
338
Appointments 2014
16
Number of programs
13
11
6
37.5
10
62.5
5
88
Career Information

Academic year
20132014
77
3/4
1/0
completion
Sometimes
interview
196.4
Residents
1,162
15
38.6
graduates
19.8
Average percent DOs
30.7
Faculty
faculty
36.6
resident/fellow
1.3
54
1.5
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
25.6
15
$51,815
3.5

2013
385

With known plans
317

172

90
Group practice
58

In same specialty
86

36

Academician
46
Full-time
45
Military
7
0
0
Unemployed
2

8,505
8,201
6,205
950
1,046
148
59
43
54
Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
89
Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery deals with the repair, reconstruction

or replacement of physical defects of form or
function involving the skin, musculoskeletal system,
craniomaxillofacial structures, hand, extremities,
breast and trunk, external genitalia, or cosmetic
enhancement of these areas of the body. Cosmetic
surgery is an essential component of plastic surgery.
The plastic surgeon uses cosmetic surgical principles
both to improve overall appearance and to optimize
the outcome of reconstructive procedures.
Special knowledge and skill in the design and
surgery of grafts, flaps, free tissue transfer and
replantation is necessary. Competence in the
management of complex wounds, the use of
implantable materials and in tumor surgery is
required. Plastic surgeons have been prominent
in the development of innovative techniques such
as microvascular and craniomaxillofacial surgery,
liposuction and tissue transfer. Anatomy, physiology,
pathology and other basic sciences are fundamental
to the specialty.
Competency in plastic surgery implies an amalgam
of basic medical and surgical knowledge, operative
judgment, technical expertise, ethical behavior and
interpersonal skills to achieve problem resolution
and patient satisfaction.
Overview
Provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery requires a passion for and an

intimate knowledge of anatomy and physiology,
with an emphasis on problem-solving skills. Plastic
surgeons combine a solid core knowledge base of
90
medicine and basic science with a strong sense of

creativity and an ability to develop strong spatial
and fine motor skills. The specialty is suited for
mature multitaskers who are capable of managing
change and a strong sense of commitment to the
doctor-patient relationshipand love the technical
challenge of difficult surgical solutions.
Plastic surgeons treat an array of problems
from congenital issues to trauma to cancer
reconstructionand, of course, those who seek
aesthetic enhancement. Patients range from
newborns to the elderly, and contact with patients
is direct and often intense. Depending on the
subspecialty within plastic surgery, the plastic
surgeons relationship with patients can be as a
consultant (trauma reconstruction), long-term
(pediatric craniofacial surgeon) and everything
in between.
Training may be completed in a six-year integrated
residency or a three-year independent residency
following a full residency in either general surgery,
orthopaedic surgery, neurosurgery, urology, oral
surgery or ENT surgery. After training, the specialty
allows for the choice of a subspecialty conducive to
the work-life balance of ones choosing.

American Society of Plastic Surgeons
444 E. Algonquin Road
Telephone: (847) 228-9900
Email: membership@plasticsurgery.org
Website: plasticsurgery.org
Match DataIndependent
GY2
2014
6
Number of programs
3
61
6
0
100
6
100
0
All
Total positions*
136
178
0.8
29
Career InformationIndependent

Academic year
20132014
71
3/6
3/0
completion
Sometimes
interview
210
Residents
377
5.3
25.8
graduates
15.9
Average percent DOs
1.3
Faculty
faculty
17.4
resident/fellow
2.2
63.2
1.2
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
21.7
13.6
$58,715
3.2

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
6,752
6,631
5,765
438
428
29
53
19
20
91
Plastic Surgery

2013
78

With known plans
54

30

16
Group practice
13

In same specialty
13

4

Academician
6
Full-time
6
Military
1
0
1
Unemployed
0
Match DataIntegrated
GY1
Number of programs
2014
130
60
215
120
0
92.3
130
100
0
Career InformationIntegrated
Plastic Surgery

Academic year
20132014
58
5/6
0
interview
216.8
Residents
495
8.5
41.5
graduates
2.8
Average percent DOs
0.5
Faculty
faculty
15.9
resident/fellow
2.4
70
1.2
92

(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
24.5
10.8
$50,422
3

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
6,752
6,631
5,765
438
428
29
53
19
20

2013
59

With known plans
50

31

17
Group practice
9

In same specialty
16

5

Academician
2
Full-time
2
Military
0
0
0
Unemployed
0
A preventive medicine specialist focuses on

the health of individuals and populations to
promote and maintain health and well-being,
and to prevent disease, disability and premature
death. Core competencies of preventive medicine
include biostatistics, epidemiology, management,
administration, clinical preventive medicine,
occupational health and environmental health.
Overview
Provided by American College of Preventive Medicine
A preventive medicine physician may become

board-certified in three specialties as defined by
the American Board of Preventive Medicine.
Aerospace Medicine
Aerospace medicine focuses on the clinical care,
research and operational support of the health,
safety and performance of crew and passengers of
air and space vehicles, together with the support
personnel who assist operation of such vehicles. This
population often works and lives in remote, isolated,
extreme or enclosed environments under conditions
of physical and psychological stress. Practitioners
strive for an optimal human-machine match in
occupational settings rich with environmental
hazards and engineering countermeasures.
Occupational medicine focuses on the health of
workers, including the ability to perform work;
the physical, chemical, biological and social
environments of the workplace; and the health
outcomes of environmental exposures. Practitioners
in this field address the promotion of health in the
workplace, and the prevention and management
of occupational and environmental injury, illness
and disability.
Public Health and General Preventive Medicine
Public health and general preventive medicine
focuses on promoting health, preventing disease,
and managing the health of communities and
defined populations. These practitioners combine

population-based public health skills with
knowledge of primary, secondary and tertiary
prevention-oriented clinical practice in a wide
variety of settings.
Career paths can include working in public health,
occupational medicine, aerospace medicine, clinical
medicine, academic medicine, managed care,
research, informatics, policy development and
global health. These positions are often located in
local, state and federal health agencies, professional
health organizations, educational institutions,
nonprofit health organizations, public health
departments, industry, and all levels of government.
Traditionally, many physicians entering the field
of preventive medicine had completed training
and worked in another clinical specialty, but found
they lacked the necessary skills to manage and
treat larger populations, a core component of
preventive medicine. Today, residency training for
preventive medicine includes a preliminary clinical
year (program year 1) and specialty-specific training
(PY2 and PY3) in general preventive medicine,
occupational medicine or aerospace medicine. The
PY2 and PY3 year includes a graduate degree for a
Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Science
(MS) or Master of Business Administration (MBA).
According to the 2012 Association of American
Medical Colleges salary survey, the median
compensation for an academic medicine position
in preventive medicine ranges from $144,000 to
$172,000 in early career to $232,000 to $250,000
in late career.
Additional training from one to two years is required
to be certified in a subspecialty in:
Medical toxicology
Undersea and hyperbaric medicine
Upon completion of an accredited preventive
medicine training program, preventive medicine
physicians may pursue board certification and
Maintenance of Certification (MOC) by the American
Board of Preventive Medicine.
93
Preventive Medicine
Preventive Medicine
Preventive Medicine

455 Massachusetts Ave. N.W., Suite 200
Telephone: (202) 466-2044
Fax: (202) 466-2662
Email: info@acpm.org
Websites: acpm.org
acpm.org/?page=MSS (medical student site)
Aerospace Medical Association

320 South Henry St.
Telephone: (703) 739-2240
Website: asma.org
Match Data
GY2
Number of programs
2014
2
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
Career Information

Academic year
20132014
74
1/2/3
1/0
completion
Sometimes
interview
191.1
94
American College of Occupational and

Environmental Medicine
25 Northwest Point Blvd., Suite 700
Telephone: (847) 818-1800
Fax: (847) 818-8347
Email: memberinfo@acoem.org
Website: acoem.org
Residents
242
3.2
55.0
graduates
23.7
Average percent DOs
8.3
Faculty
faculty
2.1
resident/fellow
3
45.2
1.9
(program year 1)
21.6
outpatient clinics
23.6
$51,577
3.2


With known plans


Group practice

In same specialty
2013
142
110
19
43
19
33
Preventive Medicine/
Occupational and environmental medicine is

perhaps the most wide-ranging of all medical
specialties. It is the medical specialty devoted to
the prevention and management of occupational
and environmental injury, illness and disability, and
promotion of health and productivity of workers,
their families and communities.
Today, the complexity and pervasiveness of modern
industrial processes afford occupational and
environmental medicine physicians the opportunity
to address work-site and environmental concerns
and such community health and policy issues
as atmospheric pollution, product safety, health
promotion and benefits value management.
The term environmental medicine has also recently
been used to describe this growing, challenging,
modern medical specialty. Environmental
medicine addresses the impact of chemical and
physical stressors on individuals and groups. Both
occupational and environmental medicine use
similar skills and focus on the recognition and
prevention of hazardous exposures.
Overview
Provided by American College of Occupational and
The health of the US workforce is central to the

nations overall prosperity, stability and security.
More than 130 million Americans spend most
of their waking hours either at the workplace or
connected to it. Their health status determines
everything from our national productivity on

16

Academician
21
Full-time
16
Military
18
1
3
Unemployed
5
the global stage to the long-term stability of

programs such as Medicare and Social Security.
As the workplace has evolved and changed,
employers increasingly make the connection
between good health and the overall success
of their enterprises. The demand for physicians
trained in the complex interplay of factors that
affect worker health has grown significantly.
As highly trained specialists, occupational and
environmental medicine (OEM) physicians enhance
the health of workers through preventive medicine,
clinical care, disability management, research and
education. Careers include academia, corporate,
hospital-based and private clinics, federal and local
government, and the military.
In the past, occupational medicine physicians were
primarily reactive to the injuries and exposures that
occurred in the workplace. Workers who became sick
or were injured came to the work-site clinic. Now the
role of the OEM physician has changed. As disease
prevention and wellness have become a greater
part of the health care equation, occupational
and environmental medicine has expanded its
scope, contributing scientific research, new clinical
guidelines for medical care, and public health
programming aimed at the workforce and the health
of the environment as well as direct patient care.
OEM physicians use the tools of preventive medicine
(primary, secondary and tertiary) to improve the
health of a defined population of workers and their
families, and they are trained in the complex returnto-work process, an advanced system of health
monitoring that optimizes the time in which ill or
injured workers can safely return to work.
Most importantly, occupational physicians are at the
center of virtually all health-related transactional
activities in the workplace. They serve as an
important liaison between employer, employee,
95
Preventive Medicine
Preventive Medicine
government and all components of the health care

systemunderstanding the needs and challenges
of each of these diverse groups.
A career in occupational and environmental
medicine offers the following benefits:
OEM is intellectually challenging.
OEM physicians impact populations and costs by
preventing disease and injury.
OEM physicians work in diverse practice settings.
Occupational and environmental medicine offers
a balance of clinical and administrative work.
OEM physicians practice cost-effective care.
OEM physicians enjoy a good quality of life
including working regular business hours full
or part time with no call and making a starting
salary of $180,000 to $220,000 per year.
The American College of Occupational and
Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) is the nations
largest organization representing the voice
of physicians who practice occupational and
environmental medicine.
Two-year residency program includes course work,
leading to a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree
as well as practicum rotations.
General Preventive
Medicine and Public
Health
Preventive Medicine physicians are uniquely trained

in public health and clinical medicine so they can
understand and reduce the risks of disease, disability
and death. They focus their efforts on disease
prevention and health promotion at the individual
and population levels. Preventive Medicine
physicians typically work at the health system level
where they aim to bridge the divide between public
health and clinical medicine.
96
Residency programs are fully accredited by

the ACGME.
Residents may obtain board certification in
occupational medicine by the American Board
of Preventive Medicine (ABPM).
Residents are supported with stipends, benefits,
MPH tuition and malpractice insurance; programs
are funded by the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Rotations include medical center occupational
health clinics, employer-based clinics, federal
and state regulatory agencies, labor unions, and
corporations.
One-year internship is required prior to the OEM
residency.
Combined internal medicineoccupational
medicine or family medicineoccupational
medicine residencies can be arranged.

American College of Occupational and
Telephone: (847) 818-1800
Fax: (847) 818-8347
Website: acoem.org
Overview
Provided by American College of Preventive Medicine
Preventive Medicine is one of 24 medical specialties

recognized by the American Board of Specialties
(ABMS). Preventive Medicine encompasses multiple
"population-based and clinical approaches to
health care. The core competencies of physicians
trained in General Preventive Medicine and Public
Health include biostatistics, epidemiology, clinical
preventive medicine, health management and
administration. There are various career paths in
preventive medicine from general public health,
clinical medicine, academic medicine, international
medicine, health policy, research, and informatics.
Preventive Medicine physicians hold a wide range
of positions from chief medical officers of private
corporations, to directors of state/local health
departments, to policy makers within governmental
Preventive Medicine physicians can develop

expertise in a wide range of areas that impact
public health and medicine. Their work settings and
schedules vary widely. Most Preventive Medicine
physicians provide direct patient care on a limited
basis due to their primary responsibility for the
health of a defined population. In terms of work/life
balance, preventive medicine physicians can work
part- or full-time, avoid taking call and weekend
work, and limit their hours worked to 60 or fewer.
Preventive Medicine residents typically complete
a hospital-based preliminary clinical year and then
enter a two-year residency program offered at over
70 institutions around the country. Physicians who
have completed a traditional clinical residency may
Career Information
(See Preventive Medicine)

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
1,144
199
137
have one year of preventive medicine residency

training waived thereby only necessitating one year
of training. All preventive medicine residents must
graduate with a Master of Public Health (MPH) or
equivalent degree which is included as part of the
two-year training program. Certain institutions also
offer Preventive Medicine residencies in combination
with a traditional clinical residency through a 4 or 5
year dual program.

455 Massachusetts Ave. N.W., Suite 200
Washington, DC 20001-2621
Telephone: (202) 466-2044
Website: acpm.org
Medical Student Section: acpm.org/?page=MSS
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
1
61
535
52
245
113

(See Preventive Medicine)
97
Preventive Medicine
organizations, to program developers for multinational NGOs, to many other positions.
Psychiatry
Psychiatry
A psychiatrist specializes in the prevention,

diagnosis and treatment of mental, addictive and
emotional disorders such as schizophrenia and
other psychotic disorders, mood disorders, anxiety
disorders, substance-related disorders, sexual and
gender identity disorders, and adjustment disorders.
The psychiatrist is able to understand the biologic,
psychologic and social components of illness,
and therefore is uniquely prepared to treat the
whole person.
A psychiatrist is qualified to order diagnostic
laboratory tests and to prescribe medications,
evaluate and treat psychologic and interpersonal
problems, and intervene with families who are
coping with stress, crises and other problems
in living.
Overview
Provided by American Psychiatric Association
A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in the

diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental
illnesses and emotional problems. Because
of extensive medical training, the psychiatrist
understands the bodys functions and the complex
relationship between emotional illness and other
medical illness. The psychiatrist is best qualified to
distinguish between physical and psychological
causes of both mental and physical distress,
and serves as the medical expert for the mind/
brain/body interface. Psychiatrists use a wide
variety of treatments, including various forms of
psychotherapy, medications and hospitalization,
according to the needs of each patient.
Psychotherapy is a systematic treatment method
in which, during regularly scheduled meetings, the
psychiatrist and patient discuss troubling problems
and feelings. Depending on the extent of the problem,
treatment may take only a few sessions over one or
two weeks, or many sessions over several years.
There are many forms of psychotherapies that help
patients change behaviors or thought patterns, help
patients explore the effect of past relationships and
experiences on present behaviors, or treat troubled
couples or families, and more treatments that are
tailored to help solve other problems in specific ways.
98
Psychiatry is one of the oldest medical specialties,

but it is also one of the most exciting frontiers of
medicine. Recent advances in the neurosciences
have led to new technologies in the diagnosis and
treatment of many psychiatric illnesses. For example,
the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V), brain imaging and
new pharmaceuticals have significantly improved
the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric illnesses.
The average psychiatrist spends approximately
48 hours each week at work. Most psychiatrists
spend 60 percent of their time with patients. Twothirds of these patients are seen as outpatients, with
the rest seen in a hospital setting or, increasingly,
in partial hospitalization or day programs and
community residential programs. Psychiatric
hospitalization is now more intense, more focused
and much shorter in duration than in previous
years. Additional professional activities include
administration, teaching, consultation and research.
Psychiatrists work in group or private practice.
They also practice in the public sector, such as
the Veterans Administration, state hospitals and
community mental health centers that are unique
to psychiatry.
psychiatry are set by the ACGME and the American
Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Physicians who
pass the examination are granted board certification,
which is a prerequisite to subspecialty certification.
Because of a continued shortage in the field,
psychiatrists have many career opportunities.
Practitioners set their own work and time
commitments according to their personal lifestyles
and needs. They work in a variety of settings
including general and psychiatric hospitals,
university medical centers, community agencies,
courts and prisons, nursing homes, industry,
government, military settings, schools, rehabilitation
programs, emergency rooms and hospices.
The hallmark of a psychiatrists career is diversity
and flexibility. Although some psychiatrists prefer
working only in one setting, others work in several
areas, combining, for instance, a private practice
with hospital or community mental health center
work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the
mean annual wage for a psychiatrist is $174,170.

options include:
American Psychiatric Association

Arlington, VA 22209
Websites: psych.org (American Psychiatric
Association)
psychsign.org (Psychiatry Student Interest Group
Network)
Addiction psychiatry
Child and adolescent psychiatry
Forensic psychiatry
Geriatric psychiatry
Psychosomatic medicine
Career Information
GY1
2014
1,322
Number of programs
203
2,363
685
154
51.8
1,291
97.7
14
GY2
2
Number of programs
2
6
0
0
0
1
50
1
All
Total positions*
1,374
695
2
1,234

Academic year
20132014
188
4
0
interview
191.3
Residents
4,917
26.1
53.6
graduates
38.4
Average percent DOs
13
Faculty
faculty
37.8
resident/fellow
1.3
54.8
1.4
99
Psychiatry
Match Data

Psychiatry

(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
16.3
10.1
$51,038
3.3

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
37,938
35,163
24,649
4,435
6,079
1,193
576
776
230
Psychiatry/Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry
A psychiatrist with additional training in the

diagnosis and treatment of developmental,
behavioral, emotional, and mental disorders of
childhood and adolescence.
Overview
Provided by American Academy of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry
Child and adolescent psychiatry is a medical

subspecialty that involves working with children,
adolescents and their families with emotional and
behavioral illnesses.
Child and adolescent psychiatry:
Uses a knowledge of neurological, biological,
psychological, and social factors to treat patients;
Offers a stimulating and rapidly evolving field; and
100

2013
1,042

With known plans
876

362

316
Group practice
88

In same specialty
280

168

Academician
165
Full-time
152
Military
18
7
2
Unemployed
6
Provides opportunities for prevention and early

intervention to improve quality of life.
Child and adolescent psychiatrists spend meaningful
time with patients, have the ability to make a major
difference in childrens lives and:
Combine art and science to treat their patients
emotional, behavioral, and psychical illnesses;
Establish long-term relationships with patients
their family members; and
Fulfill the tremendous need for more child and
adolescent psychiatrists.
The field offers diverse and flexible practice
options with outstanding job opportunities and
remuneration including:
Private practice in solo or group settings;
Research and teaching;
Consultation to schools, hospitals, courts or other
agencies; and
Advocacy for child mental health and public policy.
The field offers flexibility of work hours with a

lifestyle that can be tailored to career as well as
family, such as:
Opportunities for part-time work;
Excellent job-family balance;
Top number of job offers per resident on
graduation;
Highly competitive salaries; and
Worldwide geographic opportunities.
To become a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist,

Residents complete three or four years of general
psychiatry residency training (including internship),

Appointments 2014
351
Number of programs
107
317
169
Percent filled by US MDs
48.1
288
82.1
42
Career Information

Academic year
20132014
123
2
3
interview
186.3
Training programs are also available for those

interested in both Pediatrics and Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry, for more information visit:
tripleboard.org

American Academy of Child
and Adolescent Psychiatry
Heidi B. Fordi, CAE, Executive Director
3615 Wisconsin Ave. N.W.
Website: aacap.org
Psychiatry
plus two years of child and adolescent psychiatry

training. For integrated programs, Residents
complete five years of training in general psychiatry
and child and adolescent psychiatry at the same time.
Residents
817
6.6
57.8
graduates
40.2
Average percent DOs
12.7
Faculty
faculty
47.1
resident/fellow
1.8
45.3
1.8
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
31.3
22.1
$56,643
3.5
101
Psychiatry

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
102
8,342
7,869
6,138
763
968
191
140
113
29

2013
413

With known plans
338

29

208
Group practice
85

In same specialty
181

109

Academician
86
Full-time
79
Military
6
1
5
Unemployed
3
Radiation Oncology
A radiation oncologist is a physician specialist who

studies and treats neoplastic disease processes with
an emphasis on cancer, through the use of ionizing
radiation, for either curative or palliative intent.
Overview
Provided by American Society for Radiation Oncology
Radiation oncology is a branch of clinical medicine

devoted to the treatment of both malignant and
benign disease with ionizing radiation. The radiation
oncologist heads a team of nurses, radiation
therapists, dosimetrists, and medical physicists who
are involved in the evaluation, planning, delivery,
and follow-up of patients treated with radiation.
Although some radiation oncologists choose

to focus their practice a on specific disease site,
radiation oncologists are trained and certified to
treat a broad spectrum of diseases utilizing various
radiation modalities, with the central guiding
principle of achieving maximal therapeutic gain
while minimizing radiation exposure to normal
tissues. Ionizing radiation includes X-ray, gamma ray
and charged particles such as proton that have high
enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons
from atoms to create ions. Ionizing radiation can
be delivered through external beam therapy or
implantation of radionuclides in a procedure
called brachytherapy. Conventional external beam
radiation typically involves fractionated daily
treatments over 2 to 8 weeks. The newer technology
of stereotactic body radiation therapy or stereotactic
radiosurgery administers 1 to 5 highly precise and
highly potent radiation treatments. Intra-operative
radiation, IMRT, IGRT and protons are additional
examples of technological advances.
Radiation oncology is an extremely rewarding,

challenging field. Although complex cancer biology
and rapidly evolving sophisticated technology are
an attraction for many medical students, the passion
for working with cancer patients is generally a
significant factor influencing the decision to enter
the field. The field is particularly appealing to those
who enjoy the quantitative nature of radiation
oncology and at the same time the humanistic
aspect of direct care of cancer patients.
For those who are interested in research, radiation
oncology is an outstanding specialty. In addition to
clinical trials, which remain an active part of most
academic practices and many private community
practices, unlimited opportunities in translational
and basic research are available.
The ACGME Residency Review Committee in
Radiation Oncology oversees the education and
training in radiation oncology. Graduating medical
students are required to do a one-year clinical
internship prior to entering the four-year training
program in radiation oncology.
The certification process is overseen by the American
Board of Radiology, which issues certificates in
radiation oncology to successful candidates.
Certification involves passing written examinations
in radiation biology, medical physics, and clinical
radiation oncology. After successfully passing the 3
components of the written examination, the trainee
must pass an oral examination, which covers the
full spectrum of diseases encountered in clinical
radiation oncology. As with all other medical
specialties, certification is currently time-limited, and
diplomates are expected to enter a lifelong process
of learning and practice improvement through a
Maintenance of Certification program.
There are no formal subspecialty certificates
exclusively in radiation oncology. The American
Board of Radiology is one of nine boards that
co-sponsor subspecialization in hospice and
palliative care. Radiation oncologists can obtain
formal subspecialty certification in this if they have
103
Radiation Oncology
In its early years of development, radiation oncology

was considered a subspecialty within radiology
traditionally referred to as therapeutic radiology.
During that time, radiologists received training in
both diagnostic and therapeutic radiology. Over
the years, as each of these disciplines became more
complex, the training and certification processes for
radiation oncology became separate from diagnostic
radiology.
The radiation oncologist works in a multi-disciplinary

team alongside surgeons and medical oncologists
to ensure comprehensive care for cancer patients.
There is also close collaboration with primary care
physicians, pathologists, diagnostic radiologists and
other healthcare professionals.
a prominent practice in this domain and fulfill the

criteria for certification, which requires a one-year
fellowship in hospice and palliative care after
completing residency training. This subspecialty is
co-sponsored by the American Board of Radiology
but is administered by the American Board of
Internal Medicine.
Radiation Oncology
There are a number of non-ACGME-accredited

fellowships in several areas within radiation
oncology. These are not formal subspecialties but
areas where additional training and experience may
be desired. These fellowships include brachytherapy,

stereotactic radiation, proton beam radiation, and
other subspecialty areas where individuals may gain
further experience or focus their practice.

American Society for Radiation Oncology
8280 Willow Oaks Corporate Dr., Suite 500
Fairfax, VA 22031
Website: astro.org
Match Data
Career Information
GY1
2014
18
Number of programs
9
132
18
0
100
18
100
0
GY2
161
Number of programs
78
224
151
4
93.8
157
97.5
4
All
Total positions*
186
188
1
27
104

Academic year
20132014
88
4
1
interview
207.5
Residents
686
7.7
26.8
graduates
2.5
Average percent DOs
1.8
Faculty
faculty
25.6
resident/fellow
1.3

49.6
1.9
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
88.4
21.5
$52,702
3.3

5,210
5,070
3,560
715
795
37
61
34
8

2013
148

With known plans
138

5

46
Group practice
40

In same specialty
46

11

Academician
86
Full-time
86
Military
1
0
0
Unemployed
0
Radiation Oncology
Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
105
RadiologyDiagnostic
A radiologist is a physician who utilizes imaging

methodologies to diagnose and manage patients
and provide therapeutic options. Physicians
practicing in the field of radiology specialize in
diagnostic radiology or radiation oncology. The
discipline also includes radiologic physics, also
known as medical physics. The American Board
of Radiology issues specific certificates within
diagnostic radiology as well as radiology, radiation
oncology and radiologic physics.
A diagnostic radiologist uses X-rays, radionuclides,
ultrasound and electromagnetic radiation to
diagnose and treat disease. Training required is
four years; many programs require one year of
preliminary training before starting radiology
training.
Overview
Provided by the American College of Radiology
Radiology is one of the most technologically

advanced fields in medicine. Since the discovery of
the X-ray in 1895, radiology has been at the forefront
of minimally invasive medical imaging.
Medical imaging procedures include:
Plain film or digital X-ray imaging
RadiologyDiagnostic
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Computed tomography (CT) scans
Fluoroscopy
Breast imaging (including mammography, breast
ultrasound, breast MRI and digital imaging of
the breast)
Nuclear medicine procedures (including positron
emission tomography [PET] and single-photon
emission computed tomography [SPECT] scans)
Imaging of the colon (including virtual CT
colonography and barium enema)
Interventional radiology (both diagnostic and
therapeutic procedures using catheters)
Ultrasonography (using high-frequency waves
to produce an image for medical analysis)
106
A radiologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the

diagnosis and treatment of disease and injury using
medical imaging technologies. Radiation oncologists
treat diseases through the medical use of ionizing
radiation. Interventional radiologists use minimally
invasive, image-guided procedures to diagnose and
treat disease.
Radiologists often find problems early by interpreting
results of imaging studies or correlating medical
image findings with other examinations and tests.
They also provide diagnoses to referring physicians
and direct radiologic technologists in the proper
performance of quality procedures. In addition, they
act as expert consultants to the referring physician
by aiding in the choice of proper imaging techniques,
interpreting medical images, generating reports,
and using test results to recommend further tests or
treatments.
To be successful as a radiologist, one must have
the right training, knowledge and experience.
Radiologists graduate from accredited medical
schools, pass a licensing examination, serve a
one-year internship, and complete a specific
radiology-based residency of at least four years of
unique postgraduate medical education residency.
Radiologists also often complete a fellowship, which
consists of one to three additional years of specialized
training in a particular subspecialty of radiology
such as breast imaging, cardiovascular radiology or
interventional radiology. In addition, radiologists
are usually board-certified by the American Board
of Radiology or the American Osteopathic Board of
Radiology. Typically, radiologists are creative thinkers
with a high aptitude for math and science who like
the challenge of diagnostic imaging.
A radiologists work-life balance varies considerably
depending on several factors. Radiologists working in
a hospital setting are typically available most of the
workday. Most radiology practices provide coverage
to the hospital at night on site or on call. Teleradiology
can reduce the amount of time a radiologist spends
providing direct night coverage at the hospital but
still requires the radiologist to interpret the exams
concurrently. Many radiology groups rotate coverage,
and some radiologists prefer working nights. In
addition, some radiology groups work in networks
to provide coverage to multiple hospitals in an effort
to reduce the night-call burden. Radiology remains
a good option for physicians seeking to balance the
needs of work and personal time.
A radiologistthrough a fellowship, extensive
clinical work and related researchmay also
specialize in one or more radiology subspecialties,
including:
Abdominal imaging
Breast imaging
Cardiovascular radiology
Emergency radiology
Gastrointestinal radiology
Genitourinary radiology
Head and neck radiology
Interventional radiology
Musculoskeletal radiology
Neuroradiology
Nuclear radiology
Pediatric radiology
Thoracic radiology
Match Data
Economics and health policy

Education
Government relations
Quality and safety
Radiation oncology

Trina Madison
Director, Resident and Fellow Section
1891 Preston White Drive
Reston, VA 20191
Telephone: (800) 227-5463
Email: rfs@acr.org
Websites: acr.org
acr.org/membership/residents-and-fellows
All
Total positions*
1,176
780
1.5
447
Career Information

Academic year
20132014
185
4
1/0
completion
Sometimes
interview
211.4
107
RadiologyDiagnostic
GY1
2014
137
Number of programs
36
780
81
16
59.1
121
88.3
8
GY2
1,008
Number of programs
161
1,288
695
78
68.9
950
94.2
34
In addition to subspecialty fellowships, residents

can also receive training in nonclinical areas. The
American College of Radiology offers one- and twoweek fellowships in the following nonclinical areas:

Residents
4,471
24.1
26.7
graduates
10
Average percent DOs
6.5
Faculty
faculty
24.7
resident/fellow
1.6
51.1
1.7
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
28.7
9.7
$52,922
3.5
RadiologyDiagnostic

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
108
27,178
26,312
18,186
4,840
3,286
134
334
108
290

2013
1,115

With known plans
986

910

36
Group practice
20

In same specialty
29

15

Academician
23
Full-time
23
Military
15
1
1
Unemployed
0
Sleep Medicine
Sleep medicine is a multidisciplinary subspecialty

of family medicine, internal medicine, psychiatry,
pediatrics, neurology and otolaryngology. It is
a discipline of medical practice in which sleep
disorders are assessed, monitored, treated and
prevented by using a combination of techniques
(clinical evaluation, physiologic testing, imaging
and intervention) and medication.
Specialists in sleep medicine are expected to:
Participate in an interdisciplinary care of patients
of all ages that incorporates aspects of psychiatry,
neurology, internal medicine, epidemiology,
surgery, pediatrics and basic science
Acquire detailed knowledge of the sleep and
respiratory control centers, physiology, and
neurobiology underlying sleep and wakefulness
Diagnose and manage sleep disorder patients
in outpatient and inpatient settings.
This subspecialty includes the clinical assessment,
polysomnographic evaluation and treatment of
sleep disorders, including insomnias, disorders of
excessive sleepiness (e.g., narcolepsy), sleep-related
breathing disorders (such as obstructive sleep
apnea), parasomnias, circadian rhythm disorders,
sleep-related movement disorders and other
conditions pertaining to the sleep-wake cycle.
Overview
Provided by American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST)
Specialists in sleep medicine possess a detailed

knowledge of sleep-wake physiology, including
neural systems that control sleep and wake
processes and their respective neurotransmitters;
sleep- and circadian rhythmrelated changes in
physiology (autonomic nervous, cardiovascular,

respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, endocrine,
immune, etc.); medications and their effects on
sleep and wakefulness; and the bidirectional
relationship between sleep and medical,
neurologic and psychiatric disorders.
Sleep medicine specialists treat sleep-/wake-related
disorders using devices, surgical interventions,
medications and behavioral therapies. They utilize
diagnostic tools in their treatment such as validated
sleep questionnaires, actigraphy, polysomnography
and portable sleep apnea monitors in outpatient
and inpatient settings.
Career opportunities in sleep medicine include
academic, private practice and/or research positions.
Education and fellowship training in sleep
medicine are overseen by the Accreditation Council
for Graduate Medical Education. Certification
examinations are administered by American
Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of
Family Medicine, American Board of Psychiatry
and Neurology, American Board of Pediatrics, and
American Board of Otolaryngology.

2595 Patriot Blvd.
Glenview, IL 60026
Telephone: (224) 521-9800
Fax: (224) 521-9801
American Academy of Sleep Medicine
2510 N. Frontage Road
Darien, IL 60561
Telephone: (630) 737-9700
Fax: (630) 737-9790
Website: aasmnet.org
Sleep Medicine
109

Appointments 2014
133
Number of programs
69
105
35
26.3
97
72.9
27
Career Information
Sleep Medicine

Academic year
20132014
79
1
3/4/5
interview
194.2
Residents
126
1.5
42.7
graduates
61.8
Average percent DOs
11.4
Faculty
faculty
33.2
resident/fellow
3.7
110

46.9
1.9
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
68.2
24.5
$54,715*
3.3

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
776
741
578
121
42
5
16
12
2

2013
143

With known plans
108

6

53
Group practice
29

In same specialty
37

15

Academician
43
Full-time
41
Military
2
2
1
Unemployed
1
A general surgeon has principal expertise in the

diagnosis and care of patients with diseases and
disorders affecting the abdomen, digestive tract,
endocrine system, breast, skin and blood vessels.
A general surgeon is also trained in the care of
pediatric and cancer patients and in the treatment
of patients who are injured or critically ill. Common
conditions treated by general surgeons include
hernias, breast tumors, gallstones, appendicitis,
pancreatitis, bowel obstructions, colon inflammation
and colon cancer.
Some general surgeons pursue additional training
and specialize in the fields of trauma surgery,
transplant surgery, surgical oncology, pediatric
surgery, vascular surgery and others.
Overview
Provided by American College of Surgeons
General surgery is a diverse specialty that is both the

foundation for many surgical subspecialties and a
distinct field in and unto itself. A fully trained general
surgeon possesses the knowledge and ability to
intervene on a variety of surgical issues across the
life span, from the child with pyloric stenosis, to
the victim of a gunshot wound to the chest, to the
elderly patient with a recently diagnosed melanoma
of the leg. Key characteristics of a sound general
surgeon will include having broad understanding of
anatomy and physiology paired with the technical
skill to carry out appropriately selected procedures.
This combination, while challenging to master,
provides general surgeons with unparalleled
opportunities to cure and palliate the ill, injured and
suffering.
While much is made of the traditionally demanding
surgical lifestyle, the broad training and skill set
possessed by the general surgeon permits one to
craft a life that finds a balance between ones career
and personal desires. General surgeons have the
opportunity to practice in any conceivable setting:
inpatient, outpatient or clinic-based; urban or
rural; military, government or civilian; academic
or private practice. According to the American
College of Surgeons, the average general surgeon
works 5060 hours per week, not including time

on call, which varies depending on the specialty
and practice setting chosen. General surgeons are
well-compensated for their efforts, with an average
annual salary of $231,550 according to 2011 data
from the National Bureau of Labor Statistics.
General surgery training is currently a five-year
endeavor. During residency, trainees will be
exposed to general surgery as well as subspecialties,
including cardiothoracic surgery, pediatric surgery,
surgical critical care, surgical oncology, transplant
surgery and vascular surgery. Upon completion
of residency, general surgery residents have the
opportunity to enter practice as a general surgeon or
to further pursue specialty training in an impressive
array of accredited and non-accredited fellowship
programs. The fields are diverse in their scope and
focus, with opportunities ranging from the highly
specialized breast surgery to the broadly oriented
field of acute care surgery. The American Board of
Surgery provides certification and Maintenance
of Certification in general surgery as well as the
general surgery-based subspecialties of vascular
surgery, pediatric surgery and surgical critical care.
The remainder of the surgical subspecialties are
certified by their respective specialty board or have
no additional certification.
In the end, general surgery is a field of incredible
diversity and opportunity. For the highly motivated
individual with a strong work ethic and the desire to
help people with his or her mind and hands, general
surgery will provide a lifetime of challenge and
fulfillment.
Breast surgery
Burn surgery
Cardiac and thoracic surgery
Colon and rectal surgery
Complex general surgical oncology
Hand surgery
Hepato-pancreatico-biliary surgery
Minimally invasive surgery
Pediatric surgery
Plastic surgery
Surgical critical care
Transition to practice (general surgery)
Transplant surgery
Vascular surgery
111
SurgeryGeneral
SurgeryGeneral
SurgeryGeneral

The American College of Surgeons
633 N. Saint Clair St.
Chicago, IL 60611
Telephone: (312) 202-5000 or (800) 621-4111
Fax: (312) 202-5001
Email: postmaster@facs.org
Websites: facs.org
facs.org/education/medicalstudents.html
(medical student website)
Match Data
GY1
2014
1,205
Number of programs
251
2,382
922
44
76.5
1,198
99.4
4
All
Total positions*
1,210
1,029
1.2
805
Career Information

Academic year
20132014
254
5
0
interview
211.3
112
Residents
7,890
31
6.2
graduates
19.7
Average percent DOs
4.5
Faculty
faculty
16.3
resident/fellow
1.1
74.3
1.1
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
17.9
9
$50,695
3.1

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
30,263
29,447
18,346
7,973
3,128
312
285
147
72


With known plans


Group practice
2013
1,088
929
687
165
112
SurgeryGeneral/
A board-certified colon and rectal surgeon has

successfully completed at least a five-year training
program in general surgery and one additional
year in an ACGME-accredited colon and rectal
surgery residency. The individual has then passed
both the written (qualifying) and oral (certifying)
examinations given by the American Board of Colon
and Rectal Surgery. Certification by the American
Board of Surgery is required for all candidates
prior to taking the ABCRS Certification (Part II)
Examination.

In same specialty
152

77

Academician
45
Full-time
44
Military
23
2
7
Unemployed
0
required for the treatment of problems such as

constipation and incontinence. Board-certified colon
and rectal surgeons are committed to the highest
standards of care for patients having diseases
affecting the intestinal system.
A colon and rectal surgeon diagnoses and treats
various diseases of the small intestine, colon, rectum,
anal canal and perianal area, including the organs
and tissues related with primary intestinal diseases
(liver, urinary and female reproductive system).
They treat conditions such as hemorrhoids, fissures
(painful tears in the anal lining), abscesses and
fistulae (infections located around the anus and
rectum). They also diagnose and treat problems
of the intestine and colon such as cancer, polyps
(precancerous growths) and inflammatory
conditions.
In addition to having proficiency in the field of

general surgery, colon and rectal surgeons have
acquired particular skills and knowledge with regard
to the medical and surgical management of diseases
of the intestinal tract, colon and rectum, anal
canal, and perianal area. Colon and rectal surgical
specialists also have special skills in the performance
of endoscopic procedures of the rectum and colon
and evaluation of the anal sphincter and pelvic floor
using anorectal physiology techniques. Colon and
rectal surgical residency programs now provide
training in minimally invasive abdominal surgery
involving the colon and rectum.
Overview
A colon and rectal surgeon has been trained to deal

with conditions such as, but not limited to, colon and
rectal cancer, polyps, inflammatory bowel disease,
diverticulitis, pelvic floor abnormalities, as well
as anal conditions such as hemorrhoids, fissures,
abscesses and fistulae. Training in colon and rectal
surgery also provides the specialist with in-depth
knowledge of intestinal and anorectal physiology
Colon and rectal surgery is limited enough in scope

to allow a surgeon to be a specialist, yet broad
enough to keep one stimulated with its variety
of procedures and patients. It encompasses a
wide range of interventions ranging from major
abdominal operations through open or minimally
invasive approaches to outpatient anorectal
surgeries and endoscopy. It also offers an excellent
Provided by American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
Colon and rectal surgeons are experts in both

surgical and nonsurgical treatment of colon and
rectal problems. They have completed advanced
training in the treatment of colon and rectal
problems in addition to full training in general
surgery. Colon and rectal surgeons treat benign
and malignant conditions of the large and small
intestine and anorectal region, perform routine
screening examinations, and surgically treat
problems when necessary.
113
SurgeryGeneral
SurgeryGeneral
lifestyle, with opportunities in both the academic

and private practice realms. Colon and rectal
surgeons deal with relatively few emergency
problems and perform most of their work on an
elective basis during daylight hours.
Following specialized training, colon and rectal
surgeons have demonstrated expertise in the
following areas:
Colon and rectal cancers, especially sphincter
sparing surgery including total mesorectal excision,
Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM) and
laparoscopic resections
Inflammatory bowel diseases, particularly
ulcerative colitis with ileoanal pouches and the
surgical management of Crohns disease
Diagnosis and treatment of complex anorectal
problems
Diagnosis and treatment of pelvic floor disorders
such as rectoceles and obstructive defecation
Surgical treatment of complicated diverticular
disease
Surgical treatments for rectal prolapse
Office and surgical treatments of common
anorectal disorders
Specialized procedures for incontinence, such as
sphincter repairs, the artificial bowel sphincter
and Sacral Nerve Stimulation
Reoperative abdominal and pelvic surgery
Laparoscopic and other minimally invasive surgery

for most of the conditions listed above
To complement their office- and operating room
based practice, colon and rectal surgeons receive
additional training in colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy,
anoscopy and endorectal ultrasound. This
combination of intra-abdominal cases, anorectal
cases and endoscopy leads to a well-balanced
practice and lifestyle.
The surgeon who has attained certification by
the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery
(ABCRS) has specialized knowledge and skill with
regard to problems of the colon, rectum, anus
and small bowel.

American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
Telephone: (847) 290-9184
Website: fascrs.org
American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery
20600 Eureka Road, Suite 600
Taylor, MI 48180
Telephone: (734) 282-9400
Fax: (734) 282-9402
Email: admin@abcrs.org
Website: abcrs.org
Career Information
Appointments 2014
92
Number of programs
54
128
74
80.4
92
100
0
114

Academic year
20132014
55
1
5
interview
204.3
Residents
83
1.5
36.6
graduates
25.5
Average percent DOs
1.4
Faculty
faculty
21
resident/fellow
4.7
61.4
1.3
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
23.8
24.4
$61,428
3.3
Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
SurgeryGeneral/
the hypophysis; and the operative and nonoperative

management of pain.
Neurological surgery is a medical and surgical

specialty that provides operative and nonoperative
management (i.e., prevention, diagnosis, evaluation,
treatment, critical care and rehabilitation) of
disorders of the central, peripheral and autonomic
nervous systems, including their supporting
structures and vascular supply; the evaluation and
treatment of pathological processes that modify the
function or activity of the nervous system, including
1,700
1,667
1,404
78
185
6
18
5
4

2013
74

With known plans
64

4

37
Group practice
26

In same specialty
33

7

Academician
21
Full-time
21
Military
0
0
2
Unemployed
0
As such, neurological surgery encompasses the

surgical, nonsurgical and stereotactic radiosurgical
treatment of adult and pediatric patients with
disorders of the nervous system: disorders of the
brain, meninges, skull and skull base, and their blood
supply, including the surgical and endovascular
treatment of disorders of the intracranial and
extracranial vasculature supplying the brain
and spinal cord; disorders of the pituitary gland;
disorders of the spinal cord, meninges and vertebral
column, including those that may require treatment
by fusion, instrumentation or endovascular
techniques; and disorders of the cranial, peripheral
and spinal nerves throughout their distribution.
115
SurgeryGeneral
SurgeryGeneral
A neurological surgeon provides care for adult

and pediatric patients in the treatment of pain or
pathological processes that may modify the function
or activity of the central nervous system (e.g., brain,
hypophysis and spinal cord), the peripheral nervous
system (e.g., cranial, spinal and peripheral nerves),
the autonomic nervous system, the supporting
structures of these systems (e.g., meninges, skull and
skull base, and vertebral column) and their vascular
supply (e.g., intracranial, extracranial and spinal
vasculature).
Treatment encompasses both nonoperative
management (e.g., prevention, diagnosisincluding
image interpretationand treatments such as,
but not limited to, neurocritical intensive care and
rehabilitation) and operative management with
its associated image use and interpretation (e.g.,
endovascular surgery, functional and restorative
surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery, and spinal
fusionincluding its instrumentation).
Overview
Provided by American Association of Neurological Surgeons
Neurosurgery is a discipline that focuses on the

diagnosis and medical/surgical treatment of
disorders of the nervous system. Because the
nervous system includes the central, peripheral and
autonomic systems, a neurosurgeon may operate
on the brain, spine or extremities in a given day
or week. Neurosurgeons operate on patients of all
ages, treating diseases ranging from congenital
anomalies of the newborn to degenerative
disorders of the brain/spine in the aging. Spine,
tumors, vascular lesions and infectious pathologies
are other frequently encountered pathologies.
A neurosurgeon is an expert in the diagnosis of
neurological disease, is capable of interpreting a
variety of radiological studies, and is able to offer
surgical and nonsurgical treatment options.
Our understanding of the nervous system is rapidly
evolving and thus neurosurgery is constantly
changing. An important tradition of our field is
the development and rapid dissemination of new
technologies. Those considering the field should
have the intellectual curiosity and ability to embrace
the complexity of neuroscience. The intellectual
challenge of constant learning must be coupled
with a strong desire to be a surgeon or endovascular
specialist and a willingness to make and take
responsibility for decisions.
116
Like all specialties, neurosurgery strives to

attract the best and the brightest candidates.
Neurosurgeons often must communicate complex
concepts to patients and family members about
quality of life and the role of surgical procedures
on the most delicate organ in the body. Because
of these conversations, the patient and physician
relationship often takes on great depth and is longlasting. Interestingly, though some conversations
focus on complicated matters, many more of
the conversations that neurosurgeons have with
patients are in the outpatient setting about common
ailments such as headache or back pain. In these
cases, neurosurgeons truly make a difference in
the patients outcome even when not performing
surgery by discussing preventive measures such as
tobacco cessation, weight loss and exercise. Because
the majority of the disorders seen are degenerative
in nature, are long-lasting and/or have sequelae,
there is a great deal of continuity of care in this
specialty.
The community of neurosurgeons is relatively
small. In the United States, there are approximately
3,500 practicing board-certified neurosurgeons.
Subspecialization has become a part of neurosurgery
and now there are post-residency graduate
fellowships in pediatric neurosurgery, spine surgery,
endovascular neurosurgery, vascular surgery,
neuro-oncology, pain, trauma and functional
neurosurgery. Neurosurgical residency is seven
years. Typically fellowship is one year, with the
exception of endovascular neurosurgery, which is
two years. There may be an opportunity to enfold a
portion of fellowship into residency dependent on
the program.
Today neurosurgeons practice in a variety of
locations from academic centers to community
hospitals to major research facilities such as the
National Institutes of Health (NIH). Work-life
balance for the neurosurgeon as well as most
surgical specialists is often dependent on the type
of practice you enter. It is not as much a matter of
what subspecialty you practice and/or whether
you are academic or in private practice, but rather
the complexion of the practice itself. In any field, it
is essential to select a practice that allows you the
amount of time you deem appropriate to be free
of clinical responsibilities and to focus on other
priorities. This balance is certainly achievable in
neurosurgery.
Endovascular surgical neuroradiology

Pediatric neurosurgery
American Association of Neurological Surgeons

5550 Meadowbrook Drive
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
Telephone: (847) 378-0500 or (888) 566-AANS (2267)
Fax: (847) 378-0600
Website: aans.org
Match Data
Residents
1,272
12.2
16.7
10.5
graduates
Average percent DOs
0.5
Faculty
8.4
faculty
1.1
resident/fellow
74
1.1
(program year 1)
23.8
outpatient clinics
15
$49,899
3.1
GY1
2014
206
Number of programs
102
335
189
3
91.7
206
100
0
All
Total positions*
206
238
0.9
81
Career Information

Academic year
20132014
104
6
0
interview
214.9

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
6,233
6,084
4,125
1,352
607
38
59
34
18
117
SurgeryGeneral
SurgeryGeneral

2013
167

With known plans
139

63

38
Group practice
27

In same specialty
36

6

Academician
Full-time
Military
Unemployed
33
33
4
0
1
0
SurgeryGeneral/
Pediatric Surgery
A pediatric surgeon is a general surgeon with
specialized training in the diagnosis and care of
premature and newborn infants, children and
adolescents. This care includes the detection and
correction of fetal abnormalities, repair of birth

defects, treatment of injuries in children and
adolescents, and the treatment of the pediatric
cancer patient, as well as conditions treated in adults
by general surgeons such as appendicitis, hernias,
acid reflux and bowel obstructions.
Career Information
Appointments 2014
38
Number of programs
37
71
35
92.1
38
100
0
118

Academic year
20132014
44
2
5
interview
199.7
Residents
78
1.7
34.9
graduates
5.1
Average percent DOs
1.1
Faculty
faculty
27.3
resident/fellow
5
75.9
1.1
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
12.3
8.7
$61,366
3.2
Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
SurgeryGeneral/
Thoracic Surgery
include heart lesions, such as coronary artery disease

and valve problems, lung cancer, chest trauma,
esophageal cancer, emphysema, and heart and lung
transplantation.
Thoracic surgeons treat diseased or injured organs

in the chest, including the esophagus (muscular
tube that passes food to the stomach), trachea
(windpipe), pleura (membranes that cover and
protect the lung), mediastinum (area separating
the left and right lungs that contains the heart),
chest wall, diaphragm (separates the chest from the
abdomen), pericardium (membrane covering the
heart), heart (including the pericardium, coronary
arteries, valves and myocardium) and lungs. The
most common diseases requiring thoracic surgery
980
925
651
85
189
11
33
10
1

2013
43

With known plans
40

3

6
Group practice
3

In same specialty
6

1

Academician
31
Full-time
31
Military
0
0
0
Unemployed
0
Overview
Provided by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
From the thrill of working on a beating heart to

being on the cutting edge of the latest robotic and
minimally invasive technology, thoracic surgery
offers excitement and rewards that few medical or
surgical specialties can match. Thoracic surgeons,
who specialize in the surgical management of
disorders of the heart, lungs, esophagus and major
blood vessels of the chest, treat the top two causes
of death in the United States: heart disease and
lung cancer.
119
SurgeryGeneral
SurgeryGeneral
Thoracic surgery is divided into three subspecialties:

(1) adult cardiac surgery, (2) congenital or pediatric
heart surgery, and (3) general thoracic surgery.
Residency training options vary and include a sixyear integrated medical school/residency program,
traditional general surgery residency followed by
two or three years of thoracic surgery residency, and
four years of general surgery coordinated with three
years of thoracic surgery residency.
Career options include academic, private practice
and/or research positions. Although sometimes
misrepresented, the prospects for career opportunities
in thoracic surgery are positive. As the US population
ages, the need for thoracic surgical procedures will
continue to increase. With more than 50 percent of
currently active thoracic surgeons expected to retire
within the next decade, a shortage within the field is
predicted by 2020.15
15
particularly during conversations preceding high-risk

surgeries. There is a significant amount of patient
interaction in this short time, and such interaction
can have a major impact on patients lives. Patients
frequently feel a special bond with the surgeon
who performed their heart bypass or lung cancer
surgery, remembering and staying in touch over
extended periods of time. While practicing thoracic
surgery may be one of the most demanding surgical
specialties, it is also one of the most rewarding.
options include:
Cardiac (including transplantation and minimally
invasive surgery)
Cardiac critical care
Thoracic surgery is a demanding career best

suited to the smartest, most dedicated and most
passionate practitioners. It is not a nine-to-five job.
However, in recent years a younger generation
of thoracic surgeons has defined and achieved its
own work-life balance goals.
Congenital cardiac surgery
Because thoracic surgeons oversee all aspects of the

thoracic surgery operating environment as well as
clinical management of patients, strong leadership
skills are critical. Fine motor technical ability is
also important, and most can learn even the most
complex technical tasks over time with persistence
and good teaching.

633 N. Saint Clair St., Floor 23
Chicago, IL 60611
Website: sts.org
Thoracic surgery (including transplantation and

minimally invasive surgery)
Thoracic surgeons frequently have intense

interaction with patients and their families,
Natalie Boden, MBA

Director of Marketing and Communications
Telephone: (312) 202-5819
Email: nboden@sts.org
Match DataIndependent
Provided by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (2015 data

subject to change)
Provided by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (2015 data

subject to change)
Appointments
Number of programs
Total positions filed
Number of unfilled positions
Appointments
Number of programs
2015
87
67
117
65
78.3
83
95.4
4
rover A, Gorman K, Dall TM, et al. Shortage of Cardiothoracic Surgeons Is Likely by 2020. Circulation. 2009.
G
Available at: http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/short/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.776278v1.
120
2015
35
27
104
28
80
35
100
0
Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other

Academic year
20132014
65
2/3
5
198.5
interview
Residents
207
3.1
19.9
24.9
graduates
Average percent DOs
5.7
Faculty
7.6
faculty
5
resident/fellow
73.5
1
(program year 1)
12.6
outpatient clinics
16.7
$61,365
3.1
4,552
4,375
3,427
220
728
71
52
46
8

2013
92

With known plans
83

26

25
Group practice
18

In same specialty
24

4

Academician
29
Full-time
28
Military
2
0
1
Unemployed
0

Academic year
20132014
23
6
0
interview
217.6
121
SurgeryGeneral
SurgeryGeneral

Residents
90
3.9
25.9
graduates
12.8
Average percent DOs
1.9
Faculty
faculty
9.9
resident/fellow
4.4
72.3
1.1
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
16.3
6.6
$50,557
3.3

2013
2

With known plans
2

0

0
Group practice
0

In same specialty
0

0

Academician
2
Full-time
2
Military
0
0
0
Unemployed
0
SurgeryGeneral/
Vascular Surgery
repair of veins to improve circulation, treatment of

aneurysms (bulges) in the aorta and care of patients
suffering vascular trauma.
Overview
Provided by Society for Vascular Surgery
A vascular surgeon has expertise in the diagnosis

and care of patients with diseases and disorders
affecting the arteries, veins and lymphatic systems,
excluding vessels of the brain and heart. Vascular
surgeons are also trained in the treatment of
vascular disease by medical (nonsurgical) means.
Vascular surgery is a broad discipline dealing with

the large scope of vascular diseases, such as arterial
and venous diseases. Managing such diseases
includes medical therapy, minimally invasive
procedures and surgical intervention.
Common procedures performed by vascular

surgeons include the opening of artery blockages,
122
Vascular surgery is a versatile, flexible profession

and is therefore a platform for innovation in basic
and clinical research as well as in surgical education.
Vascular surgery offers versatility and stimulation

to medical professionals who master the intricacies
of vascular surgery as well as state-of-the-art
endovascular techniques. In addition, vascular
surgeons build long-term relationships with
patients and their families as a primary physician
for all vascular needs: medical and diagnostic,
endovascular, and traditional surgery.
Intricate and demanding, vascular surgery is not
one-size-fits-all surgery. Each patient presents
an individual vascular problem requiring a unique
solution.
Minimally invasive percutaneous procedures are
advancing rapidly and have revolutionized the ease
at which outcomes are obtained for patients while
offering the opportunity to continuously hone
vascular surgery skills. The interventions may be
limb- or lifesaving. Vascular surgeons are charged
with treating the complete patient.
Balance is a word heard all through college and
medical school; there is a great deal to be gained by
creating a strong work-life balance. Colleagues may
state that vascular surgery is one of the few medical
specialties that allow for that balance. Personal
relationships and family are paramount in the lives
of vascular surgeons. A career in vascular surgery
allows for focus on family and home life as well as
on patients and their lives.
Whether research is an initial interest or among the
interests pursued during a career, vascular surgery
provides many varied opportunities. Just as vascular
surgery combines the best of the surgical and
primary care worlds, so too does the research into
this fascinating specialty.
New devices and techniques, including imaging, are
about to experience an explosion of development.
Vascular surgeons will help determine where scarce
health care dollars can do the most good for the
greatest number of patients. Vascular surgery
research has and will continue to revolutionize
medicine today.
Vascular research runs the gamut from basic science
cellular research and engineering/graft and stent
development to diagnostic advances and clinical and

medical management of vascular diseases. Research
is performed not only by full-time academic
surgeons but also by private practitioners excited by
the potential changes in the field.
0+5 track. The applicants for the integrated track
apply for and match into the integrated programs
during their fourth year in medical school. Two
years are devoted to core surgical training with
the remaining years focused primarily on vascular
surgery. Trainees are eligible for board certification
in vascular surgery only.
4+2 ESP track. This training paradigm allows for
early entry into a vascular surgery fellowship.
Trainees condense five years of general surgical
training into four years; the chief year is the fourth
year of training. This is followed by two years of
vascular surgical training within the same training
program. This training track is available to residents
in programs with ESP accreditation. Trainees are
eligible for vascular surgery and general surgery
certification.
5+2 track. This training track requires two years
of vascular surgical training at completion of a
general surgical residency. Applicants apply for the
traditional training track during the fourth year of
general surgical training. Trainees are eligible for
board certification in both general surgery and
vascular surgery.
This new certification program translates to more
training options, more time available for training in
areas such as nonoperative prevention, diagnosis
and management of vascular disease, shorter
training periods, and more freedom of choice
concerning when to enter vascular surgery.

Chicago, IL 60611
Telephone: (800) 258-7188
Fax: (312) 334-2320
Email: studentresident@vascularsociety.org
Website: vascularweb.org
123
SurgeryGeneral
There is an ever-growing need for young, passionate

and enthusiastic vascular surgeons to tailor to the
needs of an aging population at risk for vascular
diseases.
SurgeryGeneral

Independent
Appointments 2014
115
Number of programs
86
114
65
56.5
103
89.6
10

Academic year
20132014
106
1/2
5
interview
204.5
Residents
237
2.2
30.3
graduates
22.1
Average percent DOs
4.3
Faculty
faculty
11.1
resident/fellow
3.6
124

67.5
1.2
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
17.6
11.5
$60,944
3.2

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
3,176
3,068
2,490
245
333
33
50
16
9

2013
122

With known plans
106

4

50
Group practice
34

In same specialty
47

11

Academician
47
Full-time
47
Military
4
0
1
Unemployed
0
Provided by the Society for Vascular Surgery
GY1
2014
51
Number of programs
44
90
36
3
70.6
46
90.2
4
All
51
Total positions*
Preferred by US seniors 37
1.4
31

Academic year
20132014
47
5
0
204.8
interview
Residents
182
3.8
37.7
graduates
10.3
Average percent DOs
1.9
Faculty
faculty
14.3
resident/fellow
2.7
71
1.1
(program year 1)
15.1
outpatient clinics
5.5
$50,186
3.2

2013
11

With known plans
11

1

3
Group practice
2

In same specialty
3

1

Academician
7
Full-time
7
0
Military
0
0
Unemployed
0
125
SurgeryGeneral
Urology
Urology
A urologist, also known as a genitourinary surgeon,

focuses on diagnosing and treating disorders of
the urinary tracts of males and females, and on the
reproductive system of males. These specialists
manage nonsurgical problems such as urinary
tract infections and benign prostatic hyperplasia,
as well as surgical problems such as the surgical
management of cancers, the correction of congenital
abnormalities and correcting stress incontinence.
Overview
Provided by American Urological Association
Urology is a surgical specialty that deals with

diseases of the male and female urinary tract,
adrenal glands and male reproductive organs.
There are a number of subspecialty areas within the
field of urology, including pediatric urology, urologic
oncology, renal transplantation, male infertility,
calculi (stones in the urinary tract), urogynecology
and neurourology, and trauma and reconstructive
urology. Female urology (or urogynecology) includes
treatment of female urinary incontinence and pelvic
outlet relaxation disorders.
Neurourology uses sophisticated equipment
to study bladder function in patients who have
dysfunction such as female incontinence, but also
in patients with neurologic conditions that affect
the bladder. Trauma and reconstructive urologists
treat strictures of the urethra, manage complex
reconstructive procedures, and perform implant
procedures such as the artificial urinary sphincter
or penile implant for erectile dysfunction. Urologists
also treat a significant number of congenital
anomalies ranging from undescended testes to
more complex diseases such as intersex disorders.
Urologic diseases affect patients of all ages,
some with significant co-existing medical issues;
therefore, a knowledge of internal medicine,
pediatrics, gynecology and other specialties is
required. Urologists perform a wide range of surgical
procedures ranging from simple procedures such
as vasectomies to more complex procedures such
as cystectomies.
126
The breadth of the specialty provides urologists

with a varied practice. It also affords them the
opportunity to specialize in a particular specialty
area of urologic surgery. This flexibility also enables
the urologist to maintain a more tailored schedule
than other surgical specialties. As a rule, urological
emergencies are less time-consuming than
emergencies in other specialties.
In addition, urology provides a surgeon with a
unique blend of clinical and surgical practice.
Urologists are involved with consultation and
diagnostics in their clinic practices. They often take
a leading role in initiating medical treatment and
surgical recommendations, which can cultivate
strong patient relationships. Because urologic
conditions may sometimes be strong indicators
of more serious problems (e.g., erectile dysfunction
may indicate atherosclerosis), the urologist can take
a central role in coordinating a patients care.
Urologists income varies according to region and
individual practice. However, according to the
Medical Group Management Associations 2010
Physician Compensation and Production Survey, the
median salary for urologists in 2009 was $390,678.
Certification by the American Board of Urology
requires the completion of an ACGME-approved
urologic residency program, with a minimum of five
years in surgical postgraduate education. Of that,
12 months are spent in a general surgery program,
36 months in clinical urology, and the remaining
12 months divided between general surgery and
urology or other urologically relevant disciplines.
(The final 12 months of residency must be spent as
a chief resident in urology in institutions that are an
approved part of the residency program.)
The urology residency selection process is highly
competitive, and residency program directors are
interested in the quality and quantity of electives
taken during the final year of medical school. It
is recommended that medical students interested
in urology spend a maximum of two months on
urology electives, with one taken at the students
home institution and the other as an away rotation.
The ACGME recognizes pediatric urology as a
subspecialty area of urology. There are, however,
multiple fellowship training programs (accredited
by subspecialty organizations) available in the
following areas:
Andrology/male reproductive health
Endourology/laparoscopy
Female urology/urodynamics
Oncology
Data from American Urological Association
GY1
2015
296
77
295
99.6
Source: Urology Residency Match Program (January 2015 statistics)
Career Information

Academic year
20132014
123
4/3
1/20
interview
215.8
Residents
1,189
9.6
21.5
graduates
5.1
Average percent DOs
1.3

1000 Corporate Blvd.
Linthicum, MD 21090
Telephone: (866) RING-AUA (746-4282)
Website: auanet.org
Faculty
faculty
12.1
resident/fellow
1.5
65.9
1.3
(program year 1)
outpatient clinics
32.3
13.9
$53,266
3.3

Total physicians
Patient care
Office based
Residents
Hospital staff
Administration
Medical teaching
Research
Other
10,735
10,534
8,352
1,340
842
63
78
38
22
127
Urology
Match Data
Pediatric urology
Transplantation
Trauma and reconstruction
Urology

2013
262

With known plans
220

91

98
Group practice
69

In same specialty
88

30

Academician
21
Full-time
21
Military
6
3
1
Unemployed
0
128
Professional
Association
Contact
Information
American Academy of Allergy,
Asthma and Immunology
Telephone: (414) 272-6071
Websites: aaaai.org
jacionline.org (Journal of Allergy
and Clinical Immunology)
jaci-inpractice.org (Journal of
Allergy and Clinical Immunology:
In Practice)
Clinical Immunology Society

Telephone: (414) 224-8095
Websites: clinimmsoc.org
clinimmsoc.org/journal (Journal
of Clinical Immunology)
Anesthesiology
American Society of
Anesthesiologists
1061 American Lane
Telephone: (847) 825-5586
Websites: asahq.org
asahq.org/For-Students.aspx
(medical student site)
American Academy of
Dermatology
930 E. Woodfield Road
Telephone: (847) 330-0230
(888) 503-SKIN (7546)
Websites: aad.org
aad.org/education/students/core.
html (medical student site)
Emergency Medicine
American College of Emergency
Physicians
PO Box 619911
Dallas, TX 75261
Website: acep.org
Marjorie Geist, RN, PhD, CAE
Director, Academic Affairs
American College of Emergency
Physicians
Telephone: (800) 798-1822 Ext. 3290
Email: mgeist@acep.org
Emergency Medicine Residents
Association
1125 Executive Circle
Irving, TX 75038-2522
Website: emra.org
Cathey Wise
Executive Director
Emergency Medicine Residents
Association
Telephone: (800) 798-1822
Ext. 3250
American Academy of
Emergency Medicine
Website: aaem.org
Kay Whalen, MBA CAE
Executive Director
American Academy of Emergency
Medicine
Telephone: (800) 884-2236
Email: kwhalen@aaem.org
American Academy of
Emergency Medicine Resident
and Student Association
Website: aaemrsa.org
Janet Wilson, CAE
Executive Director
American Academy of Emergency
Medicine Resident and Student
Association
Telephone: (800) 884-2236
Email: jwilson@aaem.org
Family Medicine
American Academy of Family
Physicians
11400 Tomahawk Creek Pkwy.
Leawood, KS 66211
Telephone: (800) 274-2237
Websites: aafp.org
http://fmignet.aafp.org
Hospice and Palliative

Medicine
American Academy of Hospice
and Palliative Medicine
Chicago, IL 60631
Websites: aahpm.org
palliativedoctors.org
(patient site)
Laura G. Davis, CAE
Director of Marketing and
Membership
American Academy of Hospice
and Palliative Medicine
Telephone: (847) 375-4712
Internal Medicine
190 N. Independence Mall W.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Websites: acponline.org
acponline.org/medical_students
129
Professional Associations
American College of Allergy,

Asthma and Immunology
Telephone: (847) 427-1200
Fax: (847) 427-1294
Websites: acaai.org
annallergy.org (Annals of Allergy,
Asthma and Immunology)
Dermatology
Internal Medicine/
Internal Medicine/
Geriatric Medicine
Internal Medicine/

Heart House
2400 N St. N.W.
Telephone: (800) 253-4636
Fax: (202) 375-7000
Websites: acc.org
acc.org/FIT
The American Geriatrics Society

40 Fulton St., 18th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Telephone: (800) 247-4779
Fax: (212) 832-8646
Websites:
americangeriatrics.org
americangeriatrics.org/health_
care_professionals/trainees/ (AGS
section for trainees)
healthinaging.org (The AGS
Foundation for Health in Aging)

Heart House
2400 N St. N.W.
Telephone: (800) 253-4636
Fax: (202) 375-7000
Websites: acc.org
acc.org/FIT
Internal Medicine/

500 Midway Drive
Mount Prospect, IL 60056
Telephone: (847) 827-6869
Website: sccm.org
Internal Medicine/
Endocrinology, Diabetes
and Metabolism
Endocrine Society
2055 L St. N.W., Suite 600
Washington DC 20036
Telephone: (202) 971-3636
Website: endo-society.org
Internal Medicine/
Gastroenterology
American Gastroenterological
Association
4930 Del Ray Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20814
Telephone: (301) 654-2055
Fax: (301) 654-5920
Email: member@gastro.org
Website: gastro.org
Internal Medicine/
Hematology
2021 L St. N.W., Suite 900
Telephone: (202) 776-0544
Email: training@hematology.org
Website: hematology.org
Internal Medicine/
Infectious Disease
Infectious Diseases Society
of America (IDSA)
HIV Medicine Association of
IDSA (HIVMA)
Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Society (PIDS)
IDSA Telephone: (703) 299-0200
Websites: idsociety.org
Opportunities for Students
and Residents: idsociety.org/
Opportunities_Students/
Fellows in Training Career and
Education Center:
idsociety.org/Fellows/
Email: info@idsociety.org
HIVMA Telephone: (703) 299-1215
Website: hivma.org
130
Internal Medicine/
Oncology
American Society of Clinical
Oncology
2318 Mill Road, Suite 800
Website: asco.org
Michal Tibbits
Associate Director, Professional
Development
American Society of Clinical
Oncology
Telephone: (571) 483-1414
Email: michal.tibbits@asco.org
Internal Medicine/
Pulmonary Disease
The American Thoracic Society
25 Broadway, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Website: http://thoracic.org/
education/career-development/
index.php
American College of Chest
Physicians (CHEST)
2595 Patriot Blvd.
Glenview, IL 60026
Telephone: (224) 521-9800
Fax: (224) 521-9801
Internal Medicine/
Pulmonary Disease and
Physicians (CHEST)
2595 Patriot Blvd.
Glenview, IL 60026
Telephone: (224) 521-9800
Fax: (224) 521-9801
Internal Medicine/
Rheumatology
American College of
Rheumatology
2200 Lake Blvd. N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30319
Telephone: (404) 633-3777
Websites: rheumatology.org
chooserheumatology.org
Obstetrics and
Gynecology
American Academy of
Ophthalmology
655 Beach St.
San Francisco, CA 94109
Website: aao.org
Washington, DC, office (advocacy):

1350 I St. N.W., Suite 590
Telephone: (800) 392-9994
Fax: (202) 354-7155
Member Services
Telephone: (415) 561-8581
US toll free: (866) 561-8558
Email: member_services@aao.org
American Society for Clinical

Pathology
33 W. Monroe St., Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60640
Telephone: (800) 267-2727
Fax: (312) 541-4767
Websites: ascp.org
facebook.com/ASCP.Chicago
twitter.com/ASCP_Chicago
Orthopaedic Surgery
American College of Medical

Genetics and Genomics
7220 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 300
Bethesda, MD 20814
Telephone: (301) 718-9603
Fax: (301) 718-9604
Email: acmg@acmg.net
Website: acmg.net
American Orthopaedic
Association
6300 N. River Road, Suite 505
Rosemont, IL 60018
Telephone: (847) 318-7330
Email: info@aoassn.org
Website: aoassn.org
American Academy of
Neurology
201 Chicago Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Telephone: (800) 879-1960
Website: aan.com
Nuclear Medicine
Society of Nuclear Medicine and
Molecular Imaging
1850 Samuel Morse Drive
Reston, VA 20190
Telephone: (703) 708-9000
Fax: (703) 708-9020
Website: snmmi.org
Otolaryngology
Washington, DC, office (advocacy

and government relations):
1225 New York Ave. NW., Suite 350
Telephone: (202) 347-4450
Fax: (202) 347-4453
American Academy of
OtolaryngologyHead
and Neck Surgery
1650 Diagonal Road
Telephone: (703) 836-4444
Website: entnet.org
Pathology/Cytopathology
Pain Medicine
College of American
Pathologists
325 Waukegan Road
Telephone: (800) 323-4040
Fax: (847) 832-8000
Websites: cap.org
American Academy of Pain

Medicine
Chicago, IL 60631
Telephone: (847) 375-4731
Fax: (847) 375-6477
Email: info@painmed.org
Website: painmed.org
American Society of
Cytopathology
100 W. 10th St., Suite 605
Wilmington, DE 19801
Telephone: (302) 543-6583
Website: cytopathology.org
131
Ophthalmology
College of American
Pathologists
325 Waukegan Road
Telephone: (800) 323-4040
Fax: (847) 832-8000
Websites: cap.org
American Congress of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists
409 12th St. S.W.
Websites: acog.org
acog.org/medstudents
Medical Genetics
Neurology
Pathology
Pediatrics

141 Northwest Point Blvd.
Websites: aap.org
aap.org/ypn (medical student,
resident, and young physician site)
General Preventive
Medicine and Public
Health
Julie Raymond, CAE

Manager, Young Physician
Initiatives
Telephone: (847) 434-7137
Email: jraymond@aap.org
American College of Preventive

Medicine
455 Massachusetts Ave. N.W.
Suite 200
Washington, DC 20001-2621
Telephone: (202) 466-2044
Websites: acpm.org
acpm.org/?page=MSS (medical
student site)
Physical Medicine and

Rehabilitation
American Academy of Physical

Medicine and Rehabilitation
9700 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Suite 200
Rosemont, IL 60018
Telephone: (847) 737-6000
Email: info@aapmr.org
Website: aapmr.org
American College of
Occupational and
Telephone: (847) 818-1800
Fax: (847) 818-8347
Website: acoem.org
Plastic Surgery
American Society of Plastic
Surgeons
444 E. Algonquin Road
Telephone: (847) 228-9900
Email: membership@
plasticsurgery.org
Website: plasticsurgery.org
Preventive Medicine
American College of Preventive
Medicine
455 Massachusetts Ave. N.W.
Suite 200
Telephone: (202) 466-2044
Fax: (202) 466-2662
Email: info@acpm.org
Websites: acpm.org
acpm.org/?page=MSS (medical
student site)
132
Psychiatry
American Psychiatric
Association
Arlington, VA 22209
Websites: psych.org (American
Psychiatric Association)
psychsign.org (Psychiatry Student
Interest Group Network)
Psychiatry/Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry
American Academy of Child
and Adolescent Psychiatry
Heidi B. Fordi, CAE, Executive
Director
3615 Wisconsin Ave. N.W.,
Website: aacap.org
Radiation Oncology
American Society for Radiation
Oncology
8280 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive
Suite 500
Fairfax, VA 22031
Website: astro.org
RadiologyDiagnostic
Trina Madison
Director, Resident and Fellow
Section
1891 Preston White Drive
Reston, VA 20191
Telephone: (800) 227-5463
Email: rfs@acr.org
Websites: acr.org
acr.org/membership/residentsand-fellows
Sleep Medicine
Physicians (CHEST)
2595 Patriot Blvd.
Glenview, IL 60026
Telephone: (224) 521-9800
Fax: (224) 521-9801
Website: aasmnet.org
SurgeryGeneral
The American College of
Surgeons
633 N. Saint Clair St.
Chicago, IL 60611
Telephone: (312) 202-5000 or
(800) 621-4111
Fax: (312) 202-5001
Email: postmaster@facs.org
Websites: facs.org
facs.org/education/
medicalstudents.html (medical
student site)
SurgeryGeneral/
SurgeryGeneral/
Vascular Surgery
American Society of Colon and

Rectal Surgeons
Telephone: (847) 290-9184
Website: fascrs.org

Chicago, IL 60611
Telephone: (800) 258-7188
Fax: (312) 334-2320
Email: studentresident@
vascularsociety.org
Website: vascularweb.org
American Board of Colon and

Rectal Surgery
20600 Eureka Road, Suite 600
Taylor, MI 48180
Telephone: (734) 282-9400
Fax: (734) 282-9402
Email: admin@abcrs.org
Website: abcrs.org
SurgeryGeneral/
Urology
1000 Corporate Blvd.
Linthicum, MD 21090
Telephone: (866) 746-4282
Website: auanet.org
American Association of
Neurological Surgeons
5550 Meadowbrook Drive
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
Telephone: (847) 378-0500 or
(888) 566-AANS (2267)
Fax: (847) 378-0600
Website: aans.org
SurgeryGeneral/
Thoracic Surgery
The Society of Thoracic
Surgeons
Chicago, IL 60611
Website: sts.org
Natalie Boden, MBA
Director of Marketing and
Communications
Telephone: (312) 202-5819
Email: nboden@sts.org
133
Glossary of Terms
US seniors: A fourth-year medical student in a
Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)
accredited US allopathic school of medicine. A
student with a graduation date after July 1 in the
year before the Match is considered a US senior. US
seniors are sponsored by their medical schools.
Independent applicant: All applicant categories
excluding US allopathic seniors
GY1: Graduate year 1
GY2: Graduate year 2
PGY-1: Program year 1
Glossary of Terms
DO: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
134
Integrated: A site may be considered integrated

when the program director (a) appoints the
members of the faculty and is involved in the
appointment of the chief of service at the integrated
site, (b) determines all rotations and assignments
of residents, and (c) is responsible for the overall
conduct of the educational program in the integrated
site. There must be a written agreement between the
sponsoring institution and the integrated site stating
that these provisions are in effect. This definition does
not apply to all specialties.
NHSC: National Health Service Corps
RCPSC: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons
of Canada
ama-assn.org
330 N. Wabash Ave., Suite 39300
Chicago, IL 60611
2015 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

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Choosing A Medical Specialty Resource Guide

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S P E C I A LT Y

Designed to simplify medical students use of resources

The practice of medicine is an art,

<< Back to table of contents

Designed to simplify medical students use of resources

The American Medical Association would like to acknowledge

Sources for the information and data include:

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

<< Back to table of contents

ABMS Guide to Medical Specialties. Copyright 2013 Elsevier,

* Includes all positions offered in a specialty, except preliminary positions.

National Resident Matching Program, Results and Data:

We congratulate you as you take the next, exciting

<< Back to table of contents

General Residency Application Key Dates

Residency Length of Training

Allergy and Immunology

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Hospice and Palliative Medicine

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Professional Association Contact Information

What is FREIDA Online, and How Can I Use It?

<< Back to table of contents

General Residency Application Key Dates

Research specialties of interest and seek

Start building your CV

Prepare CV, personal statement, identify letter of

Seek mentor in interested field for application and

Start working on MyERAS application

<< Back to table of contents

Early match programs results released

Select and apply to AOA-accredited residency

Ranking opens for NRMP Match and AOA Intern/

Finalize letters of recommendation (LoR) authors.

AOA match results available

Apply for military positions (if applicable)

NRMP main residency match results available

Residency Length of Training

Residency Length of Training

Years of Training Required for Certification by Specialty Boards

<< Back to table of contents

Residency Length of Training

Residency Length of Training

Prerequisites and Length of Training

Allergy and Immunology

Prior completion of internal medicine or pediatrics program.

One clinical base year of GME (for 3-year program);

Prior to appointment in the program, residents must have

No prerequisites required when entering programs with an

Completion of an ACGME-accredited program in anesthesiology,

Completion of a 3-year ACGME-accredited residency program in

Critical Care Medicine

Completion of a 3-year ACGME-accredited residency program in

Endocrinology, Diabetes and

Completion of a 3-year ACGME-accredited residency program in

Completion of a 3-year ACGME-accredited residency program in

Completion of a 3-year ACGME-accredited residency program in

Completion of a 3-year ACGME-accredited residency program in

Completion of a 3-year ACGME-accredited residency program in

Completion of a 3-year ACGME-accredited residency program in

Completion of a 3-year ACGME-accredited residency program in

<< Back to table of contents

Residency Length of Training

Designed to simplify medical students use of resources

The practice of medicine is an art,

Designed to simplify medical students use of resources

ABMS Guide to Medical Specialties. Copyright 2013 Elsevier,

* Includes all positions offered in a specialty, except preliminary positions.

National Resident Matching Program, Results and Data:

One year of an ACGME-accredited residency in a clinical

Joint Surgery/Thoracic Surgery Program (4+3 program):

Integrated Program: 6 years of thoracic surgery education

Allergic diseases of the eye including allergic