FAQ
The Internal Medicine/Pediatrics residency at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston is dedicated to improving the health and welfare of all children, adolescents and adults.
When Medicine Pediatrics (Med Peds) started as a combined residency in 1967, it was largely unknown. Over the years, university programs began developing their Med Peds program due to the rising interest in pursuing a residency that provided comprehensive training. To date, in 2008, there are 80 programs nationwide which offer Med/Peds as a residency. If you are a third or fourth year medical student interested in medicine/pediatrics, contact our program director, Dr. Harbison or talk to any of the med/peds residents you meet on the wards or in clinic.
We are excited that you are interested in Med/Peds because we love it! Here are some questions that most students have about Med/Peds.
How long is the Med/Peds residency?
Internal Medicine is a three year residency program leading to board certification in Internal Medicine. Pediatrics is a three year residency program leading to board certification in Pediatrics. Med-Peds is an integrated four-year residency program combining both Internal Medicine & Pediatrics. Med-Peds physicians are eligible to sit for both board certification exams in Internal Medicine & Pediatrics.
The Med/Peds residency is typically 4 years. In most programs, the intern year consists of 12 months and then you assume the responsibilities of a resident. Some programs extend the intern year to 18 months; however, regardless of how long the intern year is, residency is completed in 4 years.
What kinds of patients to Med/Peds residents see?
We see patients in all age ranges, from the newborn to his 90 year old grandmother and everyone in between.
What is the difference between Family Practice and Med/Peds?
Family practice is a 3 year residency that includes obstetrics/gynecology. Med/Peds does not include obstetrics/gynecology. Med/Peds residents have more experience in intensive care and caring for patients with chronic illnesses as compared to family medicine.
So after you do a Med/Peds residency, what do you do?
The wonderful thing about Med/Peds is that you have multiple options available to you after you complete residency. You can choose to continue training in categorical or combined fellowships, work in private practice, or as a hospitalist.
And the most common question…Why Med-Peds?
Our graduates fulfill unique niches in pediatric, adolescent, and adult care; especially in the care of adults with chronic pediatric health issues such as congenital heart disease or cystic fibrosis. Med-Peds physicians receive thorough training in adult and pediatric care in a time of increasing medical complexity. This breadth and depth of knowledge, which we enjoy in both disciplines, allows us to have the ability to care for family units and individuals in almost any inpatient and outpatient setting. Over 24 subspecialties are available in the individual fields of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, with Med-Peds graduates also forging combined subspecialties across the nation. For example, there are graduates from our program who are pursuing combined Nephrology and Endocrinology fellowships at University of Texas. Another great thing about Med Peds is that it provides an excellent pathway for specializing in International Health. And last but not the least, the most important reason that most of us do Med Peds is because enjoy both disciplines, and want the ability to do both.
Still have Questions?? Here are some additional resources:
Medical Student Guide to Combined Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Residency Training (PDF). The Guide was prepared by the Medicine-Pediatrics Program Directors Association.
National Med-Peds Residents' Association at www.med-peds.org
Internal Medicine and Pediatrics 101 at www.aap.org/sections/med-peds/101.htm
Guidelines for Combined Internal Medicine/Pediatrics Residency Training at www.acgme.org/acWebsite/RRC_sharedDocs/sh_medPedReq.pdf
American Academy of Pediatrics Med-Peds Section at
www.aap.org/sections/med-peds
