How Competitive is an Internal Medicine/Pediatrics Residency?

If you want a career as an internist in pediatrics, here is how competitive the medical specialty is to match into an internal medicine/pediatrics residency. Internal medicine/pediatrics (often referred to as Med/Peds) is the branch of medicine that involves the care of both adults and children.  While Med-Peds Primary Care training provides comprehensive primary care, it differs both structurally and philosophically from Family Medicine. A physician trained in Med-Peds can care for the newborn to the geriatric patient. Med-Peds prepares a physician well for private practice, academic medicine, hospitalist programs, and fellowships. Med-Peds is a versatile, exciting, and fulfilling career choice that we hope you will consider.

Statistics on the Internal Medicine/Pediatrics Match

In 2020, internal medicine in pediatrics had a total of 445 applicants and 390 spots. This equates to 1.14 applicants per position. Of the 307 U.S. MD seniors who applied, 37 did not match.

Osteopathic (DO) Students Matching into Internal Medicine/Pediatrics

In 2020, the total number of DO Senior Applicants was 40. Of those, 35 matched, for a 87.50% match percentage. This makes internal medicine in pediatrics a Friendly field for osteopathic students.

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) Matching into Internal Medicine/Pediatrics

Because there are 0.88 U.S. MD applicants per 1 program spot, internal medicine in pediatrics is considered to be Not Friendly for IMGs students.

Honors, Research and Awards for Internal Medicine/Pediatrics Residency Candidates

The average matched U.S. applicant had 9.1 volunteer experiences and 3.8 work experiences. They had 3.1 research experiences and 4.8 abstracts, presentations and publications. That makes this specialty on where the number of publications needed is Low.

Average Step 1 and Step 2 Scores for Internal Medicine/Pediatrics

The mean U.S. Step 1 score for matched medical students in internal medicine in pediatrics was 236. The mean USMLE Step 2 CK score was 250.

Overall Competitiveness of Internal Medicine/Pediatrics Residency and Chances of Matching

The overall competitiveness level of internal medicine in pediatrics is Medium for a U.S. senior. With a Step 1 score of 200, the probability of matching is 77%. With a Step 1 score of >240, the probability is 92%.

How long is a residency in internal medicine in pediatrics? What is the lifestyle like for an internal medicine in pediatrics resident?

Compared to other residencies, internal medicine in pediatrics has a Medium training length. As far as lifestyle, internists in pediatrics generally have a Medium stress lifestyle. Of course, lifestyle is very subjective and if you love what you do, it does not matter! And if you hate what you do, it can still be rough no matter what. In medicine, you should find the specialty that makes you enjoy your everyday interactions with patients, staff and colleagues.

What is the average salary for an internist in pediatrics?

The average salary post-graduation from a internal medicine in pediatrics residency is $251,000, provided one does not go on to sub-specialty training which can change the salary substantially. Academic versus private practice as well as location also play a large role in physician compensation.

What are fellowships one can do from an internal medicine in pediatrics residency?

Following the successful completion of general internal medicine in pediatrics residency, some physicians may choose to continue their graduate medical education with subspecialty training. Board-certified subspecialists complete additional training and qualifying examinations beyond those required for board certification in internal medicine in pediatrics. Currently, meds/peds can do any fellowship from that a pediatric resident or an internal medicine resident could. However, many choose to do a specialty that crosses all age groups such as allergy and immunology.

What are the best internal medicine in pediatrics residencies in the country?

The best residency for internal medicine in pediatrics, or any specialty, is very driven by personal preference and situation. How close you are to family, loved ones, the type of training environment, the opportunities available are all things to take into consideration above and beyond name recognition of a program. However, there are some highly regarded names in the world of internal medicine in pediatrics including:

• • Rush University Medical Center Program
  • University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago Program
  • University of Michigan Health System Program
  • University at Buffalo Program
  • University of Chicago Program
  • Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Program

Much of the data above is available from the AAMC Charting the Outcomes report.

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