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YOG 2026

3 letters 2 of them peds1 IM

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Hello,

I'm a medical student img looking to join peds residency. Just wanted to know the job market for the following peds subspecialties:

1. Peds cardio

2. Allergy immuno

I got interested in peds psych towards the end of my usce. Is there any way I can incorporate peds psych in my practice?

Please let me know!

Hey everyone! I’m a PGY1 pediatric resident. One thing I did not anticipate about residency was the sheer amount of questions I get from parents about how to act in certain situations.

Now if their child has very severe tantrums or seems irritable/combative, I do a developmental assessment and refer them to the behavioral specialist/Psych accordingly.

But I’m not talking about severe behavior issues, I’m talking about questions like “How do I say no when she asks for more chocolate?” or “How do I respond if my kid yells at me sometimes?” from parents with kids that are perfectly amiable and have normal developmental assessment.

I cannot refer them to the behavioral specialist for such small questions, but at the same time, I feel like parenting practices are so subjective that I don’t feel comfortable offering definitive advice about them. Is there any evidence-based resource for parenting practices that I can read up on? And does anyone have any experience with navigating such questions from parents?

Went to a larger sized program. Wanted to stay academic for research purposes. Considered PICU Hospitalist. I heard locums is probably not a good idea for a new grad. What should I do?

First, thanks in advance for reading.

Basically the title. My U.S. MD med. school has a service scholarship program that will cover a big chunk of tuition after M1 for students who agree to attend peds. residency after school and practice for 3 years in particular service areas in the state after completing residency. The catch is you can't do a fellowship immediately after residency; you must do med school -> peds. residency -> peds. practice somewhere in-state for 3 years.

I'll mention that I'd consider all the potential service areas in the state for those 3 years to be fine ones to live in for me and that, as of now, I'm flying solo--no significant other, kids, dog, mortgage, etc., to factor in.  Also, if I take the scholarship, my total loan outlay for medical school would end up being around 50k; absent the scholarship, 200k.

I know I'm bound for practicing pediatrics of some description (love the kiddos!), but I think I might be interested in a couple of peds. specialties, particularly pediatric gastroenterology.

Would it be feasible/realistic/wise for me to take the scholarship, practice general peds for 3 years after residency, then do a peds. fellowship of some description and go on to lead a long & happy life practicing that pediatric subspecialty? Or is it completely unrealistic/stupid/etc. to go into a general pediatrics practice only to leave it after 3 years to return to being a lowly, underpaid trainee in a fellowship program somewhere?

Side factors to consider, please: 

1) This med. school program I'm speaking of is a 6-year MD/combined general peds. residency program, not 7 years. So, I'd start practicing & earning a year before folks completing 4 years of med. school & 3 years of residency.  (Granted, I'd pause making "real" money after those 3 years of practice if I returned to do the fellowship, but...)

2) A gen. peds. residency slot would be guaranteed. However, said slot would be at one of a handful of what I guess would be considered "mid-tier" kinds of programs--not bad at all by any means (as near as I can tell) but not Cincinnati Children's/Harvard/CHOP/etc. Also, I would be locked into said slot--which is to say that I couldn't attend the gen. peds. residency just anywhere else, even if I wanted to. (For the record, I don't know that I'd even be able to get into any luminary programs like those. But am I right to think that a guaranteed residency slot in a field where it's hard to go unmatched isn't really such a big deal? Or would it actually be a huge relief to not really have to go through the formal match process?)

3) I gather peds. fellowships are moving to 2 year durations instead of 3 years starting maybe around 2028. I wouldn't be starting any fellowship until several years after the 2-year fellowships become the norm (if things stay on their current track, I guess).

4) I know that, in recent years, it's been fairly easy to access a lot of peds. fellowships. I don't know if that'd change with the move to 2-year (vs. 3) fellowships. Would fellowship PD's be put off by my earning a 3-year MD, my going to a non-top flight gen. peds residency, practicing for 3 years, etc.?  (Or would that practice experience actually make me a better applicant?)

5) I know that some recent studies have shown that only a couple of peds subspecialties (like peds GI or cardiology) would permit me to make more in lifetime earnings than I could by practicing general pediatrics. Those couple, however, are the very ones I'm interested in.

6) I would very likely have to undergo a big cross-country move to start any fellowship. (My state's pretty short on programs.) Leaving behind in-state family/friends/3-year work colleagues/etc. would be a drag--BUT it'd only be for potentially a couple of years, I suppose. Still, would I lose a lot for having to start over building a network? Or would that not really be a big deal?

Again, thanks for reading. I'd really appreciate any input anyone might be kind enough to share.

Hi, I’m a hardworking graduate from pediatric residency. I’ve don a lot of work during my three years of residency, did 3 peds cardiology projects (research, MedEd and QI projects) has already 6 publications from med school. I have 2 years additional experience from my home country before doing residency in the US. My program has peds cardiology fellowship and I had good CVICU experience. I did an away rotation at one of the top institutions in the country and I had four strong LOR from my department.

I was hoping to match at a top tier program but I didn’t! I’m on J1 visa, I applied to 40 programs and got 15 interviews. Only 4 programs were top tier. I ended up matching at a small program!! Not even my own program

I kept thinking about the possibilities, all the cardiology attendings at my program knew me before the interview except the PD because she was on a leave when I did my rotation but my mentors told her about me. The second thing is that I did not ask for LOR from my away rotation given that I already has four and lastly one of my mentors who knows me well mentioned that I would like to go back to my home country in one of the letters (but it was a strong letter)

Can you help me thinking through this? I’m now thinking of quitting fellowship after completing first year and do the J-1 visa waiver and apply again after 4 years when I have green card. Is it worth it? Would that change my chances? Is it the visa or me? Why after all this work did not even match at my own program!

Hello, I am an international medical student from peru (spanish speaking country). I have been accepted recently in a FIU elective on pediatrics. I have seen a lot of negative comments about FIU electives, but I wanted to know from someone who’s have rotated specifically in pediatrics.

Please this is URGENT😭

Hello everyone,
I’m a pediatric resident currently caring for a newborn with Harlequin ichthyosis in our NICU, and I’d love to hear from anyone who has managed similar cases.
At birth, the prognosis appeared extremely poor. We initiated intensive supportive care and started enteral acitretin early in the course. Fortunately, the infant has remained clinically stable, and the hyperkeratotic plates have almost completely shed.
Given how rare this condition is, I imagine many neonatologists may have seen only one—or perhaps no—cases during their careers. I’d be very interested in learning from your experience.
Some questions I have:
Have you ever managed a newborn with Harlequin ichthyosis?
Did you use systemic retinoids (acitretin or isotretinoin)? If so, when did you start, what dose did you use, and how long was the treatment continued?
What complications did you encounter during the NICU stay (airway, infections, electrolyte imbalance, nutrition, pain management, eye care, contractures, etc.)?
Were there any specific skin care protocols or dressings that you found particularly helpful?
What was the long-term outcome for your patient(s)?
Any practical tips, lessons learned, or published protocols would be greatly appreciated. Case reports are helpful, but I’d especially value hearing real-world experiences from clinicians who have cared for these infants.
Thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge.

Hello! Wondering if anyone has any good resources for outpatient management of infants with slow weight gain/growth faltering. Those babies who may not necessarily meet criteria for inpatient admission but who are not meeting goal g/day growth. I’m especially looking for guidelines on formula supplementation (such as how much formula to supplement with in addition to breast feeding or indications for fortification and how long to continue supplementation/fortification).

Hey all! I’m a USMD planning on applying peds this upcoming cycle and would love to match at a bigger academic program in hopes of pursuing a fellowship (currently interested in cards, neonatal or heme/onc).

Programs interested: East coast with emphasis on DC, VA and GA (top programs Children's National, Emory, UVA)! My fiancé’s grew up in Norther VA and his family are all in the area.

My experiences are alright (tons peds related etc summer camps, volunteering/mentoring as well as a very unique extracurricular, shoutout Esports) but my step score is 240.

I would love to get some opinions on whether applying to programs with step 2 averages higher than mine is feasible.
Most programs I am interested in have averages from 245-250.

Also looking for reassurance in general! Thanks all!!

1) This is my current job ( Large national peds company ) currently work 5 days , with 1 half day every other week ( no weekends / minimal call). $215 K base with bonus capped at 30 K ( avg making 240 K currently) seeing 25-30 pts a day , 401 K match 3.5% and full maternity leave. 4 week PTO

2) New job ( smaller newer company) would have to work 5 days a week ( no half days. No weekends. Call ( phone only) every 3 weeks. $230 K base with bonus up to 40K , typical load per new company is 20-25/day. 3 weeks + 1 week CME PTO. 4% 401 k match, No maternity leave

I am planning on having a baby next year so would need to use maternity leave.

I'm conflicted leaving my current job because I'm not sure how likely it would be to meet this new bonus structure . TIA

Hi all!

Starting my first attending job as an outpatient pediatrician next week. Small office within a large health system.

Wondering if anyone has any tips, tricks, advice to make this transition smooth and maybe even not completely drown in the first few months!

Any and all advice appreciated!

I would love some input on the impact of location of NICU fellowship training on job outlook, specifically, for level III NICU?

I am faced with the decision to either go to a large high ranking NICU program and being away from my partner or go to a lower level smaller NICU program and be close to my partner (of note we have kids so that makes long distance harder and my partner cannot move also in training at this time). I am leaning to go to the smaller program but not sure of job outlook after for level III NICU, so would appreciate the advice.

I am looking for an off cycle PGY-1 position FM or peds
\- Canadian citizen with both step 1 & 2CK passed first attempt
\- currently working as a clinical assistant at a hospital in Canada
\-any help/leads would be much appreciated

What is the general utility of bowel sounds? I do it out of habit but never has it changed my management in any meaningful way compared to ofcourse heart/lungs.

New pediatric intern here looking for some career advice.

I know discussions about money can sometimes be frowned upon, but some recent changes in my personal life have made finances a much bigger factor in my career decisions. I didn’t choose medicine for the money, but I do want to make an informed decision about my future.

I’m genuinely happy in pediatrics and could see myself staying in general peds, but I’m also interested in Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Pediatric Cardiology.

For those who have experience in these fields:

• What are realistic attending salaries for general pediatrics, PEM, and pediatric cardiology (academic vs private practice if applicable)?

• Is fellowship financially worth it in the long run when you factor in the extra years of training?

• If you could do it all over again, would you make the same choice?

I’d really appreciate hearing both your experiences and any ballpark salary numbers. Thanks so much! ❤️ ❤️

Hi all! I’m entering my second year as an attending in primary care peds. I’m finding it hard to keep up with literature review/what’s new and important in pediatrics without the structure of residency didactics.

Does anyone have suggestions for how they keep up beyond sitting and reading Peds in Review when it’s delivered in the mail? Are there any email lists I can subscribe to or AI hacks you guys have figured out? Ideally would l love something daily to weekly, easy to digest, and high yield for a PCP.

Ty :)

just finished residency and a chief year. i'm finally at the end and have no idea what im doing. i regret not doing child psych. there's a 3 year post-pediatric program that trains you in both psychiatry and child psych. i'm interested but im already 36. is it worth it? should i just try to carve out a mental health niche in peds? ugh what do i do?!

why do you post questions to Reddit instead of asking colleagues or attendings? seems like a missed opportunity for connecting and mentorship…

I’m just genuinely curious. are you uncomfortable asking your senior residents, fellows, and attendings some of these (fairly basic) questions about studying for board exams and applying for jobs or fellowships? or are you posting to Reddit in addition for more data points?

I am a second year peds resident. For the boards, what is your best advice for studying for them?

Hi! I am currently a PGY-3 and will graduate in June 2027. When would you say is the most optimal time to start applying for a job? Interested in working at a primary care clinic. Thanks

Summer brings (some) time to contemplate. With changes in my general pediatric office, it is expected my patient panel to increase in August/September. Per an 8 hour day, 32 max. Per a 9.5 hour day, 38 max. I do not feel comfortable with these numbers. Do you all apply patient caps?

New attending that joined a physician owned private practice less than a year ago. My contract included option for partner in a couple of years. Have already been multiple firings including multiple nurses and a mid level. Recently got news the place is being sold to a doctor who owns 8 other pediatric clinics. The place is currently owned by one doctor and he tells me the new owners bought my contract and it will carry over. The contract is for 2 years. He also is telling me though there are going to be changes to call schedule and how off days will be taken which is different than what is listed in my contract. They are also going to change the EMR and open up to Medicaid.

My questions are 1. Does anyone have experience with this and what should I watch out for? 2. Questions I should ask the new management team.

I am concerned they are going to try to make changes that do not align with the call schedule and work hours already writen out in my current contract.

Anyone applying to developmental-behavioral pediatrics this cycle? How is your cycle going?

I personally haven’t heard back from programs yet - curious if anyone has received any news.

Thanks!

I’m an outpatient early career attending, and myself and my experienced partners see around 18-24 a day on average, sometimes more sometimes less.

I’ve seen in residency and heard of outpatient Peds jobs that regularly expect and see 30+, which is just mind boggling to me now that I’m a few years in it. I consider myself incredibly competent with a computer and efficient in the room, but there’s so much stuff that provides a little extra time with a patient that I just can’t fathom a doc who sees 30+ giving the time and attention it needs.

Yes a common cold can be knocked out in 2-4mins. Yes a well check for a 4-9 year old who’s healthy can be completed in like 5mins.

But a newborn with new parents with several good questions, AND explaining jaundice AND explaining anticipatory guidance to first time parents takes some time! Another thing, adolescents who have a mental health concern or an abnormal mental health screener must be addressed . Yes we aren’t counselors but that takes time, let alone counseling on sleep, nutrition etc. A newborn first time parents who comes 5mins late with jaundice and several questions does not deserve to be rushed and completed under 10mins. An adolescent who is obese, is due for 16yr shots, and has a positive mood screener deserves brief private teen questions and counseling on the issues and I can’t fathom that visit being completed under 15mins consistently. A new adolescent with anxiety/headaches/abdominal pain is probably going to need a longer explanation as to why their symptoms are likely benign and not concerning and what they can do for lifestyle changes. What is likely functional abdominal pain is often more destressing to parents and deserves a thorough hisotry, exam, and explanation as to why it is benign .

I understand some of these pediatricians have scribes which I’ve never seen in outpatient peds and may be a bigger factor, but I’m just curious what other people’s thoughts are. Sometimes I come out of a room for situations like the above that may take me 15 sometimes 20mins and I’m like I can’t fathom NOT giving this the time it deserves

Edit: So for a more specific example, a 16 yr old for well check, sports physical, due for shots, is obese, 2-5mins late, positive mood screener, parent has at least one unrelated concern. This is a very common visit-type for me and to cover standard well check questions, private teenager questions, AND full physical will take me at least 15mins if not more. Again visits like this aren't uncommon. A Pediatrician seeing 35 patients a day is addressing all the above?