Anyone out there with knowledge on Early Specialization Programs

[mjohn7wy]

Hi All,

I am an MS-III interested in general surgery and have been trying to find out information about Early specialization programs(specifically vascular). The Society of vascular surgery website lists Oregon, UT southwest and yale. Additionally, a paper by Klingensmith et al in 2016 lists WashU, UT southwest, Northwestern, Oregon, UCSF and USC+LAC as participating programs. I've also seen reference on the Emory webpage. However, a number of these previously listed programs have no information available on the program web pages. I recognize these programs have not taken off at the same level as the truly integrated programs but I am hoping to get some insight on where these programs exist and anyone that has participated in them!

Thanks!

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[mjohn7wy]

Thanks for the responses!

For the topic of this discussion, I am interested in the 4+2 early specialization program's(vs. the 0+5 integrated programs for vascular). These are similar to the 4+3 "fast-track" cardiac surgery programs, most of the references I have found discuss both. I am trying to find out if there is anyone in the SDN universe familiar with what programs still exist(I known that UT Southwest still allows residents to move through this pathway and it seems likely that Emory does as well). However, I have seen varied references to a number of other programs but no concrete answers.

Anyway, I appreciate the responses and look forward to any further direction!

 

[SterlingMaloryArcher]

I am assuming you find it attractive to have General & Vascular certification then? Just wondering, is the extra year really worth it to be dually certified vs doing an integrated program (In vascular, thoracic, plastic, etc.) because do you ever go back to doing general cases?

Just wondering why everyone doesnt save themselves the time and do an integrated...

 

[CyrusHabs7695]

I'm not familiar with this in vascular, but it sounds like the fast-track 4+3 CT programs (OP specifically says not talking about integrated programs). In CT these are gen surg programs that take some of their own junior residents and fast track them into 3 years of CT residency at the same institution rather than applying out for 5+2. So it sounds like this is the same concept of "early specialization" that OP is asking about.

Do you apply for these 4+3 programs right out of med school, or do you apply once youre matched into a program?

 

[mjohn7wy]

I am not sure how the cardiac surgery programs work(4+3), I did speak to a program director at one of the vascular programs he implied that the program is for in-house residents only.

I.E. you apply to the program during your residency, not something you apply for directly out of medical school.

However, another point I would appreciate anyone familiar with the systems thoughts

 

[mimelim]

If you are interested in vascular, do 0+5. You will be better trained.

The only reason to do a GS residency first would be if you wanted to practice in an area where you would be doing GS and then do some vascular as well.

 

[mjohn7wy]

@mirelim, Thanks for the response! My interests are vascular in the setting of trauma, being able to integrate both the open aspect of trauma and endovascular procedures is the direction I would like to go. I know of a few surgeons that practice in this setting at the University of Maryland and WashU(I am sure more exist).

I have been looking at both GS and integrated programs but given I have a relatively specific area of interest I was/am hoping to get some more info on these 4+2 programs.

Thanks!

 

[Quantal Reasoning]

Those 7+ year residencies (4gs+ fellowship) are too long, probably a product of an earlier time when medical students came in right from college. Now the literal majority of people take at least a year off between college and medical school. Residencies should be more streamlined.