Gastroenterology vs. physical medicine & rehabilitation is one of the debates among medical students interested in physiology. Both specialties allow you to explore the complex workings of the human body and use your skills to improve patient outcomes. However, they also have significant differences, such as the scope of practice, the work environment, and the training requirements.
How do you decide which one is right for you? In this article, we will provide helpful information and tips to help you make an intelligent decision on gastroenterology vs. physical medicine and rehabilitation and find a fulfilling career that matches your interests and abilities. We will also help you evaluate practical factors such as job availability, salary, and training duration.
Gastroenterology vs. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Salary and Job Security
Gastroenterology might be your specialty if you want to earn a lot of money and have a steady demand for your services. But be prepared for a competitive job market after fellowship, even if you graduate from a prestigious program.
Physical medicine & rehabilitation, meanwhile, offers more job openings. You can easily find a hospital that needs physiatrists, and the career outlook is positive, even if the salary is not as high as gastroenterology. According to recent data, gastroenterologists earn an average annual salary of $501,000, while physiatrists have a lower average salary of $306,000.
Gastroenterologists earn $501,000 per year on average, while physiatrists earn less with $306,000 annually
Gastroenterology vs. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Competitiveness
Here we can assess the competitiveness of a specialty by looking at the unmatched rate – the % of people who apply and do not match into their preferred specialty. For physical medicine & rehabilitation, the unmatched percentage among US Seniors was 13.9%, making it moderately competitive among US residencies.
Physical medicine & rehabilitation had a 13.9% unmatched rate, while internal medicine had a 2% unmatched rate among US seniors
To pursue a career in gastroenterology, you must first match into an internal medicine residency. Among US Seniors, the unmatched percentage for internal medicine residency was only 2%, making it less competitive than other residencies. However, this does not mean that gastroenterology is less competitive. After completing your internal medicine residency, you will still need to match into a fellowship, which is generally more competitive than matching into a residency.
Below is the unmatched percentage among non-pediatric fellowships with >100 applicants. The unmatched percentage of US Seniors applying to the gastroenterology fellowship was 20.6%, making it highly competitive compared to most fellowships with >100 applicants.
Training Path: Fellowship vs Residency
To become a gastroenterologist, you must complete a three-year fellowship in gastroenterology after completing a three-year internal medicine residency. Physical medicine and rehabilitation involves a four-year residency.
A gastroenterology fellowship is typically more competitive than a physical medicine and rehabilitation residency. Your USMLE scores, med school, and research are the main things for residency applications. Research is also a big thing for fellowship applications, and your residency program counts more, but your USMLE scores matter much less.
Gastroenterology vs. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is a crucial factor for many medical professionals. Physiatrists often enjoy a better work-life balance due to the nature of their work. They usually have predetermined working hours, leading to more predictable schedules.
Gastroenterologists work an average of 52.3 hours, ranking above the middle of all medical specialties. In comparison, physical medicine and rehabilitation ranked below the middle of all medical specialties, with an average of 49.9 weekly working hours.
Gastroenterologists work an average of 52.3 hours per week, while physiatrists work fewer hours, at 49.9 per week.
Gastroenterologists require documentation, such as referral letters and diagnostic tests, resulting in an estimated 13 hours of admin/paperwork per week. In comparison, physiatrists spend an estimated 19 hours on admin and paperwork per week, ranking at the upper end.
Gastroenterologists work on admin/paperwork an average of 13 hours per week, while physiatrists work more hours, at 19 per week.
Training Duration and Subspecialties
The training duration is a key aspect to consider when choosing between gastroenterology vs. physical medicine & rehabilitation. Physical medicine & rehabilitation has a four-year training period, while gastroenterology has a six-year training period with three years of internal medicine residency followed by a three-year gastroenterology fellowship.
Additionally, gastroenterologists often pursue more subspecialty training in fields like advanced endoscopy or hepatology because of the scarce job opportunities. This can increase the length of your gastroenterology training.
Gastroenterology vs. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Job Satisfaction and Burnout Rates
Job satisfaction plays a significant role in career fulfillment. According to various studies, gastroenterology tends to have higher job satisfaction rates than physical medicine & rehabilitation. Many gastroenterologists express contentment with their career choice and would choose it again if given the chance. However, gastroenterology has a slightly higher reported burnout rate than physical medicine and rehabilitation.
According to recent data, gastroenterology ranked near the upper end of all medical specialties with 92% of gastroenterologists stating that they would choose the same specialty again, while physical medicine and rehabilitation ranked lower with 85% of physiatrists feeling the same way.
Gastroenterologists reported a 92% job satisfaction rate, while physiatrists reported lower satisfaction with 85%
That being said, the burnout rate for gastroenterology was 52%, which is near the middle of all medical specialties. In comparison, physical medicine and rehabilitation had a burnout rate of 47%, ranking below the middle.
Gastroenterologists have a burnout rate of 52%, while physiatrists have a lower % burnout rate of 47%
Gastroenterology vs. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Comparison
To provide a visual overview, here’s a table comparing gastroenterology and physical medicine & rehabilitation:
| Aspect | Gastroenterology | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | Generally high salary as demand grows for procedures like colonoscopies. | Lower than gastroenterology |
| Job Security | High demand due to the prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders | Stable demand with aging populations and focus on non-life-threatening conditions |
| Training Path | Typically involves 3 years of internal medicine residency followed by a 3-year gastroenterology fellowship | Typically involves four years of physical medicine and rehabilitation residency |
| Lifestyle | Typically regular working hours, but may also have on-call duties | Typically more predictable hours without on-call duties consultations |
| Administrative Paperwork | Moderate documentation requirements for patient records and surgical plans | High documentation requirements such as notes and referral letters |
| Job Satisfaction | High | Lower |
| Burnout Rates | Moderate | Lower |
| Personality | Strong communication skills for patient education | Empathetic, strong intercommunication skills |
Please note that this table serves as a general comparison. To determine the most suitable career for you, consider your personal and career priorities and goals.
Concluding Thoughts
Choosing the right specialty between gastroenterology vs. physical medicine and rehabilitation depends heavily on your priorities. To determine this, try reverse engineering your ideal life and identify your top priority. A helpful exercise is to write down the top five things you want to achieve in your career and personal life. Knowing these priorities will make finding a career that aligns with them easier. Often, the biggest obstacle is not a lack of knowledge about different fields but a lack of self-awareness about our own preferences.
