Future practice plans of internal medicine fellowship graduates: a focus on pulmonary and critical care medicine

Background: The practice patterns of pulmonary and critical care medicine (PCCM) graduates are not well described. We aimed to describe the career paths sought by PCCM fellowship graduates entering the workforce. Methods: Using the Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database, we examined data on the career paths of trainees graduating from internal medicine fellowship programs for 2022. Results: Our study found that 712 trainees completed PCCM fellowship during 2022. Approximately 17% of PCCM graduates opted to pursue additional subspecialty training. Among those opting to enter practice, approximately 40% and 39% of PCCM graduates preferred academic practice and private practice, respectively. Among those opting for private practice, 48% chose group practice. Among all internal medicine subspecialties, there was a trend toward more graduates entering academia compared to historical averages. Notably, only 2.5% of PCCM graduates entering private practice opted to work in a rural setting. A similar trend was noted in other subspecialties. All specialties showed low percentages for practicing in underserved areas. Conclusion: PCCM fellowship graduates exhibited a preference for academic practice and a reduced likelihood of pursuing further subspecialty training. The percentage of internal medicine subspecialists practicing in underserved areas remains low.