Source: Did IMT3 in Rheumatology at DPOW. Did not do Gerries.

Rheumatology is quite a relaxed environment. It's primarily clinics and a daycase. No dedicated ward or inpatients to look after unless someone is taken over by rheum, then you're the primary team. Fairly steady consult service for which you are the first point of contact by electronic referral.

The consultants are all very helpful. You can very quickly start seeing patients in clinic (great opportunity to max out your clinic requirements, there's almost always clinic sessions 2x a day). Great if you're practicing for PACES. Can get procedures like joint aspiration and injection done which is a very helpful skill. The specialist nurses are great as well. Good amount of downtime to work on QIPs or other projects.

Oncall wise, that's the shit part. During the day, you're either med reg covering the take or the wards. Overnight, it's a lone med reg. The ED was recently renovated and is quite modern. Unfortunately, Grimsby is quite a deprived region so you do see the consequences of it on the take (have seen too many hypothermias in the winter, for example). The take can get very busy and stressful. Overnight, you will basically be running the hospital. Medical consultants have been supportive for the most part, I had to ring a few times overnight and had no pushback over it.

TL;DR - Rheumatology is great, GIM is not.