Am I a competitive candidate for PM&R?

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[PMR2008]

-So would I be competitive for some of the top PMR programs?
The top 5-10 PM&R programs are very competitive even for excellent American medical grads. You will get into a PM&R residency with those stats if you have decent PM&R letters, apply widely and show genuine interest in PM&R.

-What are the top PMR programs?
No one on the board wants to get into this. There have been plenty of discussions on this for example http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=295589

-What are the outlooks on subspecialties like MSK, interventional spine and Pain management?
No one really knows with the possible upcoming changes in health care. If you like what you do and work hard you will make enough money. Probably not as much as surgery but you will have a better lifestyle.

-How competitive are they?
look below
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=358217
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=380626

-PMR residency is 3 years, but from what I know you have to do 1 year prelim before. Are there any straight 3 year programs out there(no prelim)?
No. All PM&R residencies are 4 year long.

 

[Jitter Bug]

The differences between Ortho and PM&R are not in the areas of medicine or the type of patient you see, it is what you like to spend your day doing. Personally I thought the OR was boring and smelled bad and felt too much like manual labor so I didn't choose a surgical specialty. Surgeons love the physical and mental challenges of being in the OR, and think clinic is boring and not enough action. Which statement sounds more like you?

During your year of research maybe you can spend a few afternoons with a PM&R doc to get more exposure.

PM&R is a 4 year residency. The first year can be surgery, IM, transitional, and some will accept FP. There are a few PM&R categorical which take you for all 4 years and arrange their own (usually medicine heavy) intern program for you.

Don't pick a field based on outlook. That can change in the next 5-10 years. Pick a field based on interest and aptitude. Sounds cheesy but it's true.

 

[Paddington]

PM&R is not a poor man's Orthopedic Surgery. I suggest you look elsewhere for your backup plan.

 

[DrFreshair]

"I plan on taking a year off to do Ortho research, so I'm sure it will apply for PMR too. Hopefully I can get 5-10 pubs..."

No offense, my friend. That doesn't sound realistic.....😎

 

[carml]

"I plan on taking a year off to do Ortho research, so I'm sure it will apply for PMR too. Hopefully I can get 5-10 pubs..."

No offense, my friend. That doesn't sound realistic.....😎

I had to re-read that when I saw it, too. Maybe 5 abstracts/case reports (if you're well connected with some docs), but 5-10 primary research pubs would not be possible in a year.

 

[bedrock]

"I plan on taking a year off to do Ortho research, so I'm sure it will apply for PMR too. Hopefully I can get 5-10 pubs..."

No offense, my friend. That doesn't sound realistic.....😎

Being realistic about things is likely what got him/her to a Caribbean medical school to start with.

 

[bronx43]

You will be able to match PM&R. I don't think you have a realistic shot at ortho. Every program is basically knee deep with AMGs with stats like yours. But, Paddington is right...PM&R isn't ortho-lite. Ortho is surgery. PM&R isn't.
If you have a genuine interest in surgery, I would apply to GS as a backup (which will still be difficult for an IMG, but a lot more doable).