couples match and job prospects

[DrMattOglesby]

my lady and I are currently discussing the idea of both of us matching into PM&R through the couples match. We are the same graduating year at the same school and have about equivalent performances on exams thus far. We have two concerns that I wanted to gather outside, semi-expert opinions on:

1) Will there be an inordinate amount of difficulty in trying to do a couples match into a small field such as PM&R? If so, is there a low likelihood of matching into the same program?

2) What are the job prospects for two physiatrists looking to pick up work at the same location? Is there a particular distribution of physiatry jobs throughout the United States (ie, greater numbers of available positions in the midwest)?

Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom!

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[Ludicolo]

1) I think I have seen one couple during interview seasons in the past 5 years both trying to land in PM&R. They did match – don’t remember where they ended up but it wasn’t at my program. But it has been done. Your best bet will be to apply to large programs (if you want to be within the same program) and urban areas such as NYC, Chicago, Philly, etc. where there are multiple PM&R programs so you can maximize your chances of at least being in the same geographical location. Be totally upfront about the couples match with programs, and express your preference to be at the same program, if possible. If you two are decent candidates, you should be fine. Generally speaking, PDs want their incoming residents to be happy, and separating a couple isn’t always the best way to promote happiness.

The problem I had when going through the couples match (many, many years ago: me-PM&R, she-IM) was trying to ensure that we would also be together during our intern year. Prelim interviewing and ranking was a bitch. Two people juggling prelim, advanced, and categorical programs will be a bitch and a half.

2) Job prospects now will probably be different 5-6 years from now. It will also depend on what style of physiatry you and your SO wish to practice.

 

[ihaveaquestion]

Another thing to take into consideration is: call schedules and vacations. Will one of you always be on-call or post-call? Will it be problematic for you to take vacations concurrently? This obviously becomes more of an issue with smaller residency programs.

 

[PMR 4 MSK]

Also on the minds of the attendings and PD will be when/if you have kids during residency, you'll both take maternity/paternity leave together. Although illegal for them to ask you about it, you may wish to provide some assurance in that regard.

 

[eljefe]

There was a PM&R couple the year in front of me in residency. Their class consisted of 6 residents and it was kind of an experiment for the program in that they were the first and no one knew how it would turn out. It turned out well but being at the same program brought a certain set of problems. Mainly you always are on call different nights and neither of you are likely going to be chief due to conflicts of interest (that was kind of a disappointment for one of the couple who wanted to be chief to help out with a competitive fellowship). Additionally, vacations and holidays are tough since both of you are out (need a big program for this reason). Their job search landed them both at a large pain/spine/ortho type private practice group with multiple satellites where they both work for the same practice but different locations.

It is possible and can work out well, but you definitely need a larger program (which are typically more competitive). I couples matched as well (SF match and ERAS--even more complicated) and we are now looking for jobs. It definitely complicates things since both of us did fellowships and ended up having to be in different cities to complete our fellowships. Job hunting is a whole different challenge, but although maybe one or both positions are not ideal there seems to be plenty of jobs to be had. Hope this helps. If you both want to do PM&R--go for it. Choosing a specialty is hard enough--once you have that down everything else will work out... PM me if any other specific questions I can help out with.

my lady and I are currently discussing the idea of both of us matching into PM&R through the couples match. We are the same graduating year at the same school and have about equivalent performances on exams thus far. We have two concerns that I wanted to gather outside, semi-expert opinions on:

1) Will there be an inordinate amount of difficulty in trying to do a couples match into a small field such as PM&R? If so, is there a low likelihood of matching into the same program?

2) What are the job prospects for two physiatrists looking to pick up work at the same location? Is there a particular distribution of physiatry jobs throughout the United States (ie, greater numbers of available positions in the midwest)?

Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom!

 

[MedBronc23]

I think couples match is just like any other factor making your application more competitive or harder to match (low scores, Foreign Grad, misconduct or legal issues on application). It is another variable which factors into how programs view you. Ideally, if you are both awesome, it should not be an issue. But again, the paternity thing, call thing, and other conflicts of interest thing comes into play. It is not like internal medicine who can have 30+ residents per class where this does not become as much an issue.

Agreed, Boston ( Spaulding, Tufts, BU) , LA area(Loma Linda, VA/UCLA, UC IRVINE) , Philadelphia (Temple, Jeff, UPENN) , NYC (Albert Eistein in NYC and Long Island, Kingsbrook Jewish, SUNY Brooklyn, Mt. Sinai, St. Vincent's/NYMC, NY Presbyterian (Columbia/Cornell), NYU/Rusk, New York Medical College Metro) , Chicago (RIC, Rush, Scwab, Marianjoy, Loyola), Dallas (UTSW, Baylor Dallas), Detroit/Ann Arbor area, Mayo and Minnesota (close and could live in between and drive), Houston (Baylor and UT are combined but lots of spots), and Baltimore (hopkins and Mt. Sinai).

That at least gives you lots of options. Hope this helps.

List of all PM&R residency programs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PM&R_Residency_Programs_in_the_United_States

 

[DrMattOglesby]

thanks for the comments everyone, my SO and I have been incorporating these issues into our discussions. She is still weighing her options for now so we have a while to come to any sort of final decision but I (we) really appreciate the feedback.

In slightly other news: I just got back from a clinical skills session shadowing a Family Medicine trained Sports Medicine specialist. I had an amazing time and I can really envision myself doing sports medicine as a(/the) focus of a my practice.
Since I had such an amazing time working in his clinic, I have to wonder if that is because he is a FM --> Sports Med doctor; or if all sports med docs have a similar practice. If physiatry sports med doc's practice is anything like the one I was in today, I don't think I'd be swayed away from PM&R.

Oh...and thanks for the list of current PM&R programs. I have one bookmarked that someone else made with them all laid out on a google map. Very convenient!