Advise Needed: Apply now or as a PGY3?

[FMtoEM]

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I am currently a PGY 1 FM resident. I am contemplating applying to EM. My dilemma at this point is to apply right now or wait till my PGY 3 year to apply.

1. If I apply as a PGY 3 I will hopefully start EM and be BC/BE in FM (total 5 1/2 to 6 years)

2. If I apply now and match EM I save myself 1 1/2 to 2 years

Are my chances better now or later? I am a US Medical School Grad. My stats are well above average for EM according to the most current "Charting Outcomes In the Match".

 

[justtheERdoc]

If you want to do emergency medicine, apply now. By waiting you just lose time. If you don't get into a program now, you can always try again later. If you want your practice to be a combination of emergency medicine and family practice, then do more family medicine training first. Remember that each extra year of time you spend in residency costs you about $200K in lost wages (if you go into EM, less if you go into family medicine).

 

[leorl]

Apply now. Some hospitals get reimbursement from medicaid/medicare for taking residents. If a resident has done more than 1 year in a previous program, they will refuse to pay for that resident. I think in total you can't have more than 5 years cumulative in a residency in order to received medicaid funding for that resident.

 

[FMtoEM]

If you want to do emergency medicine, apply now. By waiting you just lose time. If you don't get into a program now, you can always try again later. If you want your practice to be a combination of emergency medicine and family practice, then do more family medicine training first. Remember that each extra year of time you spend in residency costs you about $200K in lost wages (if you go into EM, less if you go into family medicine).

You are absolutely right, I will be wasting not only time but money as well.

 

[FMtoEM]

Apply now. Some hospitals get reimbursement from medicaid/medicare for taking residents. If a resident has done more than 1 year in a previous program, they will refuse to pay for that resident. I think in total you can't have more than 5 years cumulative in a residency in order to received medicaid funding for that resident.

Thanks, that right there will probably get the ball rolling for me. Don't want to run into funding issues. I have letters, PS, etc. all ready, just need to hit submit come Sept. 1. Is there anyone on the EM forum that has completed FM and completed a residency in EM, if so could you please chime in.

 

[Kubed]

There was a resident where I did my internship who finished her IM residency prior to starting EM.

If you want to do EM, there's really no reason to delay your app. Lading an EM spot isn't a guarantee even with great stats. It would be better to decline a spot this year than not be able to locate one the year after.