Well, for one, general practice doesn't see anywhere near the level of stress as residency would. I can decide my hours, my setting, my patients, whatever, and if I stutter, it won't be too much of a big deal. And I'll have time to see a speech pathologist and work on whatever anxieties I still have. I don't mind giving up a year for that, especially if I get paid. Hopefully something will work and I'll be ready to specialize. You don't seem to have the same hangups I do. What are you gonna specialize in? Am I wrong in assuming that 4th year is internship? It seems to differ from country to country.