1 Executive Director, American Academy of Pediatrics
In Reply.
Dr Bosley cites the article by Schunk and Osterud on "Duration of Pediatric and Internal Medicine Practice in Oregon" (Pediatrics. 1989;83:28-432). A survey of Oregon pediatricians and internists older than 60 years of age showed close agreement between the two groups in their satisfaction with their career choices. Internists averaged 8.2 on a linear scale (with 0 representing low satisfaction and 10 representing high satisfaction), and pediatricians averaged 8.0.
Despite similar responses to career satisfaction, 76% of the internists indicated they would select internal medicine if they had it to do over again, but only 44% of the pediatricians said they would select the same specialty.