3 years or not?
Started by GSresident10
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deleted144060
The two programs directors I know who were at the last meeting said their was agreement that the independent residency was indeed going to be three years. Most of the places will probably start this and next year. I'd be really surprised though if it everybody was on board for this coming year. This is one of those things that's been in the works for a while. How it actually gets implemented is going to be interesting. I've heard of some places making that a research year, but at this point, I really think it's going to be hard to say how it's going to be structured. If anyone knows any more, please post.
--M
As I understand it, this goes into effect for next year's matching class. A year of research will not fulfill the requirements. The requirement will be three years of clinical plastic surgery, to include dedicated exposure to Derm/Ophtho/OMFS and other PRS-related disciplines. Most Integrated programs have these rotations already. The biggest issue that I've heard (from guys at two year programs that will now have to change to three) is that programs are going to have to find ways to fund that third year.
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deleted144060
Thanks Max.
I had a feeling that was going to be the way concerning the lab year, but I'll believe it when it happens. The thing I have a problem with is what happens to the combined programs. I've seen everything from rotations similar to the integrated programs to just being a GS slave. If those places aren't getting the derm/opth/OMFS, etc. who's going to decide if they're going to go to three years as well? The PDs I talked to said that there's a lot of contention over this.
--M
I had a feeling that was going to be the way concerning the lab year, but I'll believe it when it happens. The thing I have a problem with is what happens to the combined programs. I've seen everything from rotations similar to the integrated programs to just being a GS slave. If those places aren't getting the derm/opth/OMFS, etc. who's going to decide if they're going to go to three years as well? The PDs I talked to said that there's a lot of contention over this.
--M
The Combined programs are Independent programs -- they have to follow the same rules that traditional Independents have to follow. I counsel medical students to focus more on Integrated programs than Combined programs because of exactly what you said. Integrated programs need to focus more on their junior residents than Combined do -- if they have a washout, it can be a real problem. If a Combined resident washes out, they just fill in the SFMatch. No problem. Also, it's a gentleman's agreement -- they don't have to actually take the resident into the program. In addition, there is a question as to whether or not the required rotations would be applicable if done during preliminary years in a Combined program since they aren't technically part of a Plastic surgery training program at the time.
My answer? All programs should shift to a 2+4 model (that has been tentatively approved by the Board for piloting at a couple of different places). Plastic surgeons should teach plastic surgeons. Spend more time doing flaps, facial fractures, hand surgery, and aesthetic surgery.
But that's just my opinion.
My answer? All programs should shift to a 2+4 model (that has been tentatively approved by the Board for piloting at a couple of different places). Plastic surgeons should teach plastic surgeons. Spend more time doing flaps, facial fractures, hand surgery, and aesthetic surgery.
But that's just my opinion.
I doubt that every independent program in the country is going to be 3 years starting any time soon. There is just too much work to do to add another year. For one thing, you have to find funding for another year. For another you have to submit your revised curriculum to the powers that be and actually be approved for another year. That process takes years in most cases.
I was out interviewing at hand fellowships over the winter. Two different ABPS board members made it sound as though it will be implemented in 2009 or 2010.
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deleted144060
I'm with Max. Both program directors I've talked to (one here at my CF fellowship and the other at my plastics program) both said it's a done deal. I agree the funding thing may be an issue, but this change has actually been coming for some time now. When we got reviewed by the RRC a couple of years ago, it was pretty clear then that this was going to be implemented.
Would you not take a spot in plastics if they told you 3 yrs or nothing? Of course you would. You didn't kill yourself in general surgery to give up now. It's an extra year of pain but it is a good kind of pain. When I applied, I would have taken a spot even if they said it is 4 years and I'll be on call for every one of those 4 years without getting a dime in the process. Keep chugging!
