Anyone else confused???

[luvOB]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So Feb is closing in and I'm more confused than ever! What's everyone thinking? I guess I didn't find a "perfect" program so I'm left with trying to decide what will matter to me most in the next four years. Prestige vs. lifestyle? i found that at most programs with good reputation, the work load is greater and the hours are longer...is it worth it if you don't want to do a fellowship? what about a better program vs. a better location? ugh, so many considerations. for those of you that have your rank list in order, what's your rationale? and if there are any current residents out there, what would you choose now knowing what you know??? 😕 please help!

 

[obgyn06]

Frankly, I think almost all ob/gyn residents work their tushes off.
I interviewed at community and academic programs. I have no desire to do a fellowship at all. My main thing was that I wanted to be well-trained. Period. It is four years to learn everything you can. After the four years is up, you are pretty much on your own.
I really feel this about the obstetrics side in particular. The more wild and crazy obstetrics you can get exposure to -- the better you will be when you are done. Imagine how scary it is going to be in 4 years on l&d as an attending and you have a c-hyst and it is your FIRST one. Yikes.
I interviewed at programs that seemed to have a good "lifestyle." But -- really, how good is the training? There is so much to see/do in the short 4 years. I, personally, would rather work my ass off and be well-trained. Prestige had nothing to do with it for me. I think both community and academic, prestigious or not, can give you excellent training.
I think I babbled. Anyway -- good luck!!

 

[Alician]

Speaking as an R1 who went through this last year, I think location and the people you are working with is the biggest factor. I didn't fully appreciate this last year, but do now. I am so glad that I enjoy the people that I work with and that my family is near by because if I didn't, I don't know if I would have made it through this first winter of residency. I can't believe that match day is coming up again. Good luck everyone. The time flies by and you will be me next year looking back and wondering what happened.

 

[JulianCrane]

How did you all go about selecting places to apply to? What criteria did u use to evaluate different programs?

 

[Diane L. Evans]

A couple of hints in streamlining your rank list
[1] Be close to a support system- family and friends need to be available to help you through the next 4 years. It's a tough road, there will be numerous times you'll want to quit, and having someone you know and trust is important

[2] Hours
night float programs allow one to have some predictibilty in schedule and helps those with families be able to plan. Q3 is quite taxing although has a benefit of days off during the week

[3] Procedures
Make sure you'll get the vaginal surgery you'll need average of 30 vag hyst/resident assures this

[4] Perks
Conferences, Books, Retreats

[5] Residents
Do they socialize, faculty get togethers? Will give you an indication of how burnt out residents are

Good luck

 

[luvOB]

thanks diane! very helpful as usual! a couple more q's (for anyone who has 2 cents!)

1) what do you think about not having off-service rotations like medicine, icu etc? some programs don't have it. would it be more difficult to study/pass step 3 w/o these rotations? or does it not matter enough to consider while choosing a program?

2) what about sign-out times? is that important enought to consider? for example 8am/5pm sign-out vs. 7am/6pm? i know it's only two more hours per day, but doesn't it add up over the years?

thanks everyone! obsessing over everything these days...