Careers of graduates of combined emergency medicine/internal medicine programs

In 1991, the American Boards of Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine changed their credentialing requirements to recognize training common to both disciplines. This allowed the formation of a five-year track for dual board eligibility. From 1995 to 1998, 28 physicians graduated from eight emergency medicine/internal medicine (EM/IM) programs. This study was an analysis of career outcomes of these graduates.

To document career outcomes of EM/IM program graduates, establish a baseline for future studies of EM/IM graduates, and elucidate the role of EM/IM graduates in medicine.

The 28 EM/IM graduates were mailed a written questionnaire. Endpoints assessed included practice fields, practice environments, ongoing research, publications, academic appointments, board examination scores, career satisfaction, and career goals.

Surveys were obtained from 23 of 28 (82.1%) graduates. Seven (30.4%) practice EM and IM, 15 (65.2%) practice EM exclusively, and one (4.3%) practices IM exclusively. Twelve (52.2%) are involved in research. The graduates authored a total of 30 papers or chapters. Ten (43.5%) currently work in administrative positions, but many more aspire to. The most common reasons for having chosen an EM/IM program are to be a better physician (22/23, 95.7%), to practice in both fields (15/23, 65.2%), and to become better prepared for an academic career (15/23, 65.2%). The EM/IM graduates reported high career satisfaction.

Although the majority of EM/IM graduates do not practice both IM and EM, many would prefer to. The graduates are highly satisfied with their choice of residency and career. Early in career development, the graduates appear to gravitate toward academic and leadership positions.