3+2 program switching

[swoop]

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Out of curiosity, if one were to enter in general surgery and complete three years at one insitution, would it then be possible to match into the last two years of a 3+2 program at another institution? Are those spots matched into from the go (as in the +2 is guarnteed after the 3) or are there two seperate matches and lots of shifting occurs between institutions after the 3 for the +2 I have been reading about plastic surgery residency all day and still haven't found an answer on any department websites.

 

[...to_the_OR!]

All of the 3+2 and 3+3 and 3+1+3 programs that match out of med school do not usually bring in new residents unless someone quits or is fired. When you match at one of these programs the 5, 6, or 7 years of training is what you'll get unless you quit or get fired. These are called "combined" or "integrated" programs (although integrated is a little different).

The "independent" model requires a different match after already matching to GS - like Ct, transplant, colorectal and other fellowships. It was, and might still be possible to do 3 yrs of GS and then apply for a plastics fellowship (I think now it can only happen if the GS and PS are at the same school). However, these independent programs are being applied to by fully trained GS applicants, so 3 yrs of GS will make it harder for you.

Most school's will have either the independent model or the integrated/combined model - some have both.

 

[beastmaster]

In the past, when GS residents applied after 3 years, did they have to finish their last 2 years before starting the fellowship ?

 

[Winged Scapula]

In the past, when GS residents applied after 3 years, did they have to finish their last 2 years before starting the fellowship ?

No, they would start their plastics residency as a PGY-4.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Out of curiosity, if one were to enter in general surgery and complete three years at one insitution, would it then be possible to match into the last two years of a 3+2 program at another institution? Are those spots matched into from the go (as in the +2 is guarnteed after the 3) or are there two seperate matches and lots of shifting occurs between institutions after the 3 for the +2 I have been reading about plastic surgery residency all day and still haven't found an answer on any department websites.

As noted above, there are TWO common pathways to becoming a plastic surgeon:

1) the traditional independent model where you match into general surgery and then apply for a plastics residency. While in the past you could apply and start plastics after completing 3 years of general surgery, this is, for all intent and purposes, a thing of the past. Most successful candidates complete a full 5+ years of general surgery, applying for plastics training during their 4th year, through another match process.

2) the integrated model in which you match as a 4th year medical student. The most common model is the 3+3, but there are some 3+2 programs and so on. Since you match to the ENTIRE program, it is unlikely that you could do the 3 years of general surgery and then switch to another program unless someplace else had an opening and you had a good reason to switch. It is not commonly done.

The above doesn't consider the more unusual cases of an ENT trained resident applying for additional training in PRS, or the DMD doing a year of facial aesthetics, etc.

 

[maxheadroom]

Actually, the ABPS only allows people to move from general surgery to plastics now in one of two ways. First is to complete general surgery residency. The second is to progress after three years of general surgery at the SAME institution.

The ABPS and Plastics RRC have approved integrated programs moving to a 2+3 or 2+4 format now. You can expect to see several programs changing in the next couple of years.

 

[deleted144060]

Max is correct. As of 2008, the ACGME has mandated that all training for the combined programs are done at the same institution. We recently underwent a site visit at our program and I got the distinct impression that they are pushing for six years, whether it be 3+3 or 2+4. There is still no overall consensus as to training, so there is going to be some variation.

--Moravian

 

[Winged Scapula]

Thanks for the update Max and Moravian. I'm not suprised about the potential for 6 year mandate...will only affect a couple of programs anyway.

 

[GSresident]

If you want to be a plastic surgeon and you are currently a general surgery resident I cannot recommend strongly enough that you finish all five years of your general surgery training. Apply for plastic surgery fellowships (residencies) during your 4th year to start at the conclusion of your general surgery residency. I can't remember the last time I heard of a person with only 3 years of GS matching into an independant program. Why would they take you when they have 50 applicants with 5+ years of general surgery and 80-90% on the absite every year? Gut it out and take the pain. You'll be better for it in the end.