Anesthesiology in Puerto Rico

[DrJamrock]

How hard is it to get into an anesthesiology residency in Puerto Rico?

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[Doctor4Life1769]

How hard is it to get into an anesthesiology residency in Puerto Rico?

I thought about that myself. Almost applied, but I imagine you have to be fluent in Spanish, from the area (or some ties to it) -- I honestly didn't research it much ...

 

[interleukin2]

I think there is just one program, total of three or so spots, a few years ago they were in trouble, I grew up there and have a ton of friends who did med school there i did not. The anesthesiologists I know practicing in PR trained in the US, I suggest you do the same if you then want to go work there that' s a different story. Also its not a great place if you want to do academics as most MD's do private practice...and yes spanish would help 🙂

 

[cach]

The Residency web site is in English without an obvious tab to get the Spanish version of the web site. The teaching slide photo show lectures in English. The program has had some problems in the past so may not be super competitive. The worst thing that could happen is that you get an interview in December or January and get to spend a long weekend in P.R., Just spend the month before the interview trying to lean Spanish.


“After losing our ACGME accreditation in 2003, our department underwent a radical reorganization and received its initial accreditation on April 2006. We expect a visit from the Anesthesiology Residency Review Committee in 2009.”

from;
http://www.md.rcm.upr.edu/anesthesiology/index.php

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

All the residents seem to be natives (well, Hispanic, I dont know if they're natives - my bad). So, if you're Hispanic, then have at it. I didnt apply. I probably would love to practice there, though.

 

[Dr Who]

I am currently a resident of Emergency Medicine on the island, did a 1 month rotation there in July and have a few friends who are residents at that particular program, so maybe I can be of some help. The program did lose its accreditation about 15 years ago but regained it shortly after. As far as I am concerned they havent had any more problems since.
As far as the residency is concerned I loved my rotation there. The faculty is pretty cool and laid back, but the supervision is great. First year residents spend most of the year doing one, two or three month rotations in other specialties. You can choose to do them in any accredited residency in PR or the US. From second, third and fourth year residents spend most of their time in clinics and OR.
The atmosphere is great and the camaraderie was great. I didnt see evidence of unnecessary competition between residents. There is faculty 24 hours and those nights I spent on call with the residents were pretty cool. I considered Anesthesiology but decided in ER because I liked the lifestyle more, but I would definitely recommend gas to anyone considering it.

 

[Dr Who]

BTW Some knowledge of Spanish is definitely helpful. You dont hava to be perfectly fluent but at least understand the language and be able to communicate ideas. Hoped that helped.