ATTN: Former GMOs, FS, UMOs, DMOs please advise

[GMO2003]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey Guys....

I am a former GMO who fulfilled his ADSO and now ready to start a civilian residency. I've been doing primarily general outpatient family medicine and feel a bit apprehensive about the prospect of going back to GME.

I'll be starting as a PGY2 (R1).

Any words of wisdom from those who have succesffuly made the transition?

Anybody else going back to GME as well?

thanks in advance

 

[cdreed]

Slightly off topic, but...

I am a PGY1 in an AF Fam Med Residency. I am thinking about quitting residency to finish my commitment as a GMO and then return to finish residency once payback is complete. Would you recommend this as a former GMO? Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[LauraDO]

Slightly off topic, but...

I am a PGY1 in an AF Fam Med Residency. I am thinking about quitting residency to finish my commitment as a GMO and then return to finish residency once payback is complete. Would you recommend this as a former GMO? Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Not answering your question, but one on my part...why? where are you doing your residency? is it that miserable? Please share your reasoning?

 

[DiveMD]

Hey Guys....

I am a former GMO who fulfilled his ADSO and now ready to start a civilian residency. I've been doing primarily general outpatient family medicine and feel a bit apprehensive about the prospect of going back to GME.

I'll be starting as a PGY2 (R1).

Any words of wisdom from those who have succesffuly made the transition?

Anybody else going back to GME as well?

thanks in advance

Do you want words of wisdom on the match or the military separation process? Please be a little more specific.

DiveMD
14 days and counting...

 

[elderjack21]

Not answering your question, but one on my part...why? where are you doing your residency? is it that miserable? Please share your reasoning?

My friend just did this last year. He matched into an Army FP program, a pretty good one at that, but decided half way through the year that he would rather do EM, so he decided to finish up the year and become a GMO for a couple years than apply to an EM residency later on.

I am thinking it would be best to know what type of medicine you want to practice by the time you are applying to residencies...but...that is just me.

 

[cdreed]

Not answering your question, but one on my part...why? where are you doing your residency? is it that miserable? Please share your reasoning?

I chose my residency based on weaknesses in my education. My program is strong academically, however I do not believe it is the right program for me. I think that I am pondering leaving for the same reasons I chose it-> it was just poor decision making on my part. Hope this sheds some light.

 

[Homunculus]

Slightly off topic, but...

I am a PGY1 in an AF Fam Med Residency. I am thinking about quitting residency to finish my commitment as a GMO and then return to finish residency once payback is complete. Would you recommend this as a former GMO? Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks.

we had a peds resident (an intern with me my year) do this. she left as a GMO after her intern year-- and we were a categorical continuous training program. so it's definitely possible. she's getting out now (she was a 3 year HPSP) and probably better off for it.

FP is fairly flexible-- but if it's not what you want to do, you shouldn't do it. don't stick around because you're afraid of offending someone or because of what others think. it's your life (well, as much as it can be "your life" while you are in the military)

--your friendly neighborhood 7 years to go caveman

 

[sethco]

 

[usnavdoc]

Hey Guys....

I am a former GMO who fulfilled his ADSO and now ready to start a civilian residency. I've been doing primarily general outpatient family medicine and feel a bit apprehensive about the prospect of going back to GME.

I'll be starting as a PGY2 (R1).

Any words of wisdom from those who have succesffuly made the transition?

Anybody else going back to GME as well?

thanks in advance

What specialty are you going into? I did gen surg internship then 4 years GMO got out and am now finishing my PGY3 year of anesthesiology. At first you are definitely rusty depending on what kind of GMO you were. I was carrying backpack and working out of a tent for 4 years so it was a tough transition back to the hospital seeing sick patients. But after a month or so you are far better off than your peers who went straight through. I have no regrets at this point of my life.

 

[i want out]

Hey Guys....

I am a former GMO who fulfilled his ADSO and now ready to start a civilian residency. I've been doing primarily general outpatient family medicine and feel a bit apprehensive about the prospect of going back to GME.

I'll be starting as a PGY2 (R1).

Any words of wisdom from those who have succesffuly made the transition?

Anybody else going back to GME as well?

thanks in advance

It really depends on what residency your going into.

I am one year into my residency after completing a 4 year GMO, so I was in your shoes this time last year.

Your going to find that your medical decision making ability will be far more developed than most of your peers, and are even likely to find at least a couple new faculty that are somewhat intimidated by your experience.

If your going into a fairly specialized field like Radiology, or anesthesiology, you will likely find that you know more about primary care than most of your attendings.

Don't let them assume that you know more about your specialty than you do just because you can be decisive, and have learned to survive practicing medicine with only part of a medical education. you will at times have to be very clear when explaining to your faculty that you need help or guidance with something.

Good luck, many have made the transition before you and made it, you will too.

i want out (of IRR)

 

[GMO2003]

👍

Do you want words of wisdom on the match or the military separation process? Please be a little more specific.

DiveMD
14 days and counting...

I've successfully matched and separated. I'm just looking for some insight on how you guys made the transition...that's all

 

[DiveMD]

👍

I've successfully matched and separated. I'm just looking for some insight on how you guys made the transition...that's all

Can't help you then. I am on the same boat... Good luck!

 

[BomberDoc]

👍

I've successfully matched and separated. I'm just looking for some insight on how you guys made the transition...that's all

Making the transition myself at this point. My program starts at the end of June. I am excited and afraid all at the same time. I just have to realize that the learning curve is going to be very steep and I'm going to feel like a dumb@ss for a few months. I have talked to a lot of people who have done this and all have considered their experience (medical, not military experience -- just to clarify that I'm still an anti-milmed curmudgeon and haven't gone soft yet) as very positive.

 

[Gastrapathy]

👍

I've successfully matched and separated. I'm just looking for some insight on how you guys made the transition...that's all

What specialty?