Allergy and Immunology

Allergy and Immunology: a doctor trained in the evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis and management of diseases involving the immune system.

The allergist focuses more on clinical aspects of medicine, while the immunologist takes are more scientific approach, but both place heavy emphasis on the human body's reaction to foreign substances.

These physicians have expertise in conditions such as: asthma, eczema, and adverse reactions to drugs, foods, and insect stings, as well as immune deficiency diseases.

Quick Facts

Competitiveness: Low

Length of training: 5 years

Number of fellowship programs: 71

Number of fellows in training: 288

Number in U.S. currently Board Certified in specialty: 3,886

First year median compensation: $139,099

Mean number of hours per week in patient care activities: 38.4

Residency Information

You will complete a 3 year residency in either internal medicine or pediatrics prior to your 2 year fellowship in this medical specialty.

Why Choose

Many physicians are attracted to this specialty because of role models, having an interest in research, and wanting to help people who are suffering. A majority of doctors only learned of this specialty while in residency and decided to join this field because their former specialties had too much night call and there was a high volume of patient demands placed upon them.

Typical Schedule

This is a referral practice where patients will be sent to you and if you need to go to the hospital it will be at the request of another physician to consult on a patient who is there. Your practice setting will determine your activities: those in private practice spend over 90% of their time in clinical care, while those in a research or academic setting spend almost 100% of their time in nonclinical activities.

Those in private practice should expect regular work hours, but be prepared to be on-call to handle emergency calls related to asthma attacks and severe allergic reactions.

If You're Interested

It is a good idea to be a good clinician first. Then you will want to know basic science and immunology because these factors make up the foundation of this specialty.

Have A Great Story From Shadowing an Allergist and Immunologist?

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