categorical, preliminary, transitional?

[filmdoc26]

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all right...I'm having touble distinguishing the difference between categorical, prelimnary, and transitional years. I know that transitional years can be and are often used to think about what specialty to go into. but what realy is the difference?

Also...are any of these years required for particular residencies? Is it possible to skip internship years and begin training right away? Thanks!

 

[edfig99]

Categorical - the "straight" residency, i.e. categorical medicine - an internal medicine residency. you start in the career you expect to end up in.

Preliminary year - some specialties require that applicants do a prelim year in another field, to provide background knowledge for long term career -- i.e. dermatology may require a preliminary year in internal medicine. Urology may require a preliminary year in general surgery.

Transitional year - a glorified version of a 3rd yr of med school, only now you're getting paid. some specialties will allow a transitional year as a prelude to coming into a different field, i.e. some Rehab Medicine residencies prefer you do a transitional year before coming in, so you do a little peds, a little medicine, a little surge. also a frequent way to stall for another year until you make up your mind.

Each program/career has it's own spin on things, so some surg programs may want a prelim year, others transitional....it varies.

the only career i can think of where you can skip an internship and go "right to work" is pathology.

 

[filmdoc26]

great! thanks edfig! that's what i was looking for!