Army HPSP time commitment questions

[AlmostADoctor1996]

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Hello everyone,

I will be starting medical school in the fall and I have decided to take an Army HPSP scholarship. I am interested in doing some sort of surgery (neuro, CT, orthopedics), but this may change after my clinical experiences. I am also interested in getting a civilian deferment if the opportunity is afforded to me.

1) How does getting a civilian deferment affect my time commitment? From my understanding, I owe a minimum of 8 years as part of my contract. Would that be 4 years of activity duty I owe because of my HPSP scholarship and then an additional 4 years in the IRR after completing a civilian residency?

2) I am considering a civilian deferment because everywhere I read online it says that civilian residencies are superior to military ones. Do they actual train better doctors?

3) How do fellowships work in the Army? If I decide to go CT surgery (general surgery residency and then CT fellowship) how does my military obligation affect this? Will I be required to pay back my military time before pursuing a fellowship?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

 

[DrRiker]

Generally, your fellowship options would probably be determined by the Army's need for specialists and sub-specialists. Also, while a civilian residency may be superior, as a surgeon you will be practicing for 5+ years as an army attending following residency and possibly fellowship. Any advantage of civilian residency would likely be diminished by the time you're ready to re-enter the civilian world. I speak from my HPSP research a few years back, and asking in the Military Medicine forum would probably yield better answers.

 

[AlmostADoctor1996]

Thank you for your help. I will ask in the Military Medicine forum.