Age-discriminatory specialties

[QuinnTheEskimo]

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Are there any specialties which heavily favor young/traditional students? I have heard it's difficult to match into surgery if you are an older non-trad.

 

[The Buff OP]

Are there any specialties which heavily favor young/traditional students? I have heard it's difficult to match into surgery if you are an older non-trad.

Nah, but some will have their doubts about you if you are an older person.

 

[WillburCobb]

Are there any specialties which heavily favor young/traditional students? I have heard it's difficult to match into surgery if you are an older non-trad.

Surg is only 1-2 years longer than pretty much all other specialties (excluding fellowships) save neurosurgery so I highly doubt it.

 

[WingedOx]

Surg is only 1-2 years longer than pretty much all other specialties (excluding fellowships) save neurosurgery so I highly doubt it.

The real question is why an older person would want to go thru surgical training. The few "non-trads" I knew doing gen surg residencies were really miserable f-cking people.

 

[WillburCobb]

The real question is why an older person would want to go thru surgical training. The few "non-trads" I knew doing gen surg residencies were really miserable f-cking people.

Agree. As a non-trad, length of training for residency and any subsequent fellowships is something that will be of higher priority when the time comes for me to choose a specialty.

 

[deleted480308]

Agree. As a non-trad, length of training for residency and any subsequent fellowships is something that will be of higher priority when the time comes for me to choose a specialty.

this...4yrs max

 

[Winged Scapula]

Surg is only 1-2 years longer than pretty much all other specialties (excluding fellowships) save neurosurgery so I highly doubt it.

Its actually a fairly common question in GS, especially at programs with mandatory research time (so 7 years of residency +/- fellowship). However, unless the OP is over the age of 40 (the conventional age at which programs *might* balk) age is not going to be a significant factor in residency selection. Its not just the length of training but the hours; the belief being that older candidates have less stamina, more family responsibilities whether its true or not, the concern exists.

When I was asked about it (as I was a bit older than the traditional candidate) my response that I was physically fit and active, had never been a heavy sleeper and had a family history of being long lived and healthy was apparently satisfactory.

 

[deleted480308]

Its actually a fairly common question in GS, especially at programs with mandatory research time (so 7 years of residency +/- fellowship). However, unless the OP is over the age of 40 (the conventional age at which programs *might* balk) age is not going to be a significant factor in residency selection. Its not just the length of training but the hours; the belief being that older candidates have less stamina, more family responsibilities whether its true or not, the concern exists.

When I was asked about it (as I was a bit older than the traditional candidate) my response that I was physically fit and active, had never been a heavy sleeper and had a family history of being long lived and healthy was apparently satisfactory.

Just being curious here.....how is that any more legal than asking a younger woman if she plans to have kids during a residency?

 

[Winged Scapula]

Just being curious here.....how is that any more legal than asking a younger woman if she plans to have kids during a residency?

Its not; the latter question is asked as well (although most probably are aware that they shouldn't).

You might presume however that faculty either care or know they are asking a question which may lead to charges of discrimination. These things are asked all the time. In most cases today I would venture they would skirt around the issue by asking if there were any issues which would affect performance of daily duties as a resident.

 

[WingedOx]

this...4yrs max

It's not just the amount of time. A GenSurg residency is the same amount of time as (to pick at random) a neurology residency with an added fellowship. Even with seniority, most of the GS residents I graduated from med school with are still working their asses off 6 days a week for a big chunk of their time. Meanwhile this holiday weekend I've been either exercising outside, cleaning or drunk since Friday afternoon.

 

[QuinnTheEskimo]

Surg is only 1-2 years longer than pretty much all other specialties (excluding fellowships) save neurosurgery so I highly doubt it.

I was thinking more in terms of skill level. Your fine motor skills deteriorate with age...stands to reason that an older gen surg resident might be looking at a comparatively short career.

 

[Winged Scapula]

I was thinking more in terms of skill level. Your fine motor skills deteriorate with age...stands to reason that an older gen surg resident might be looking at a comparatively short career.

Even at advanced age, surgeon's physical and spatial skills outpace those of non-surgical colleagues. Retirement for physical reasons tends to be related to pain (neck, back, feet etc) and slowing of skills.