Introduction by Dr. Charissa Ho, Chair, ACFP FFYFP Committee
So, the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) applications have already started. Those who are considering their specialty of choice may be thinking “Why should I apply to family medicine programs?” Well, the First Five Years in Family Practice (FFYFP) Committee has come together to provide you some answers!
Family medicine is a specialty with many specialties. There are no two days that are the same. You can do clinic, emergency care, deliveries, hospital medicine, long term care, palliative care, wound care, contraception, women’s health, men’s health, gender-affirming care, sports medicine, mental health, lumps and bumps, and more. You can do a mix of things; you can choose to focus on one area. Your skills are applicable no matter where you go in the country or across the world!
You can change your career path without needing to do additional training. You can practice in urban centres, rural locations, or “rurban” areas. Family medicine provides flexibility in career paths and in life as well. Many of us create our own schedules to balance both professional and personal needs. Some of us work our schedules around driving kids to and from school. Some of us work from home while some of us work away in remote areas for a few weeks at a time and then take large blocks of time off. You get to design your own family medicine practice.
Check out “A Week in the Life” of our FFYFP committee members’ work schedules. Family medicine is fun and rewarding with lots of variety and flexibility. Consider applying for family medicine this CaRMS season!
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