Hi! I’m a PGY3 hoping for some guidance deciding between an academic FM job vs a private practice position. Both roles have the same base salary and RVUs + similar benefits. I’m in VHCOL (suburbs of NYC), and want to stay as I’m from here and most of my family and friends are in the area.
The first job is at my home institution where I’m doing residency; I would be a faculty member. I would have 32 hours of clinic time, which averages to about 14-16 pts a day, the other 8 hours are admin time+ time for research/teaching. All appts are 30 minutes. No inpatient time, and you’re on call 4 weeks out of the year (includes 4 half Saturdays). Commute time is about 45 minutes. Admittedly, this is a solid long term job and a lot of the other attendings have been working here for several years. Not sure if I’d stay in this job long term.
The second job is also affiliated with an academic institution but follows more of a private practice structure. I would have 36.5 hours of clinic time (most FM docs at this specific location do M-F 9-5 but there is an option to make your schedule 4 days a week with longer hours). You end up having to see 20-25 pts a day. Similar benefits to the job above. No weekend shifts, on call about once every 5 weeks. Commute time would be about 20-25 minutes. More earning potential here, as it is productivity based, but the thought of seeing upwards of 20 patients a day as a new grad (when I have the other job as an option) is kind of stressing me out.
I’m more inclined to stay at my home institution, but I wanted opinions from unbiased sources as well before I make my final decision. I think I’d be happy at either place but still want to make a solid, well-informed decision.