Question about physicial specialties?

Question

Hey I was just wondering...can person become a doctor specializing in say, Oncology, and work as both an oncologist and a PCP? Can a doctor specialize in Internal Medicine or do you have to specialize in a subspecialty or internal medicine. Thanks.

Answer 1

Internal medicine is, indeed, a specialty.

Here is a link to their certifying board:

http://www.abim.org/

Many specialists are certified first in IM, and then in their specialty.

Once you get into medicine, you'll understand why you won't work as both a PCP and an oncologist.  Your oncology practice will be so busy that you won't want to bother with primary care stuff.

If you actually get into medical school, you'll most likely change your mind about specialty anyway.

Answer 2

You don't specialize in Internal Medicine. Oncology is a specialty of internal medicine.

First you do undergrad (premed, biology, etc. ). Then you do medical school. Then you do a residency in whatever area of medicine you want to work (pediatrics, surgery, internal medicine, radiology, pathology, OB/Gyn, etc.). Then...either you are done and you begin to practice in your particular area of medicine, or...you do a fellowship to "specialize" in a certain area of internal medicine or surgery. For example, oncology, pulmonology, critical care, cardiology, plastic surgery, etc.

Hope this helps.