Preventive Medicine
"The
"Preventive Medicine" moniker does not adequately capture the field,
nor does "Public Health." Population Medicine might be a better term.
But why should I try to describe to you the texture, moisture and taste
of a pear? Bite into one yourself! Likewise... check out preventive
medicine!"
~Stephen Haering, M.D.
What is Preventive Medicine?
Preventive Medicine (PM) is a board certified medical specialty
concerned with the health of populations, where physicians are trained
to examine the delivery of healthcare from a distinctive clinical and
public health perspective. PM physicians thus have a unique niche and
ability to impact healthcare on both the population-based and global
level. They pursue careers in all spectrums of healthcare including
health departments, academic institutions, state and national
government, international or global institutions including the WHO, UN
agencies or NGOs, government agencies like the CDC or NASA, organized
medical care programs in industry, voluntary health agencies, and the
military. Specific career paths include managed care, public health
practice, occupational medicine, environmental medicine, aerospace
medicine, clinical medicine, informatics, policy development, academic
medicine, consulting, international medicine, and research.
Training:
Training for preventive medicine generally requires 2 years in
residency after a clinical internship or transitional year. Training
includes earning a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree which is
usually done in one of the two years. There are three specialty areas
within preventive medicine: General Preventive Medicine & Public
Health, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and Aerospace
Medicine. All Preventive Medicine programs teach the core competencies
of biostatistics, epidemiology, management, administration, clinical
preventive medicine, and occupational or environmental health. In
addition, these programs generally, but not always, subsidize or fund
the required Masters in Public Health (MPH) degree.
Applying:
Refer to our “Opportunities” section below for a list of PM residency
databases. Preventive Medicine is included in the Electronic Residency
Application Service (ERAS).
|
FIND OUT MORE
Frequently & Not-So-Frequently Asked Questions
INTERVIEWS WITH PM PHYSICIANS
Sara Brenner, MD
American College of Preventive Medicine
President, Resident Physician Section Neal D. Kohatsu, MD MPH, FACPM
Immediate Past President, American College of Preventive Medicine
|
If this whets your appetite, please consider joining the AMSA
Preventive Medicine Interest Group and keep reading below for ideas to
learn much more about the field including general information, FAQs,
non-traditional options and relevant links!