Commitment to residency program

[AJG]

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I know that after we have matched, we are committed to a residency program for 1 year. After that, if we choose we may switch programs or switch to a different specialty. What about folks going into anesthesia, PM&R, rads, optho, ect. where a preliminary year is required? What if during the prelim year you decide you want to switch fields? In this case are you committed to both the prelim year plus at least one year in the specialty you chose but now want to switch out of?

 

[ERMudPhud]

I had friends who were slated to go into Rays, Ophtho, and EM who all decided to stay in IM after their prelim year. They found PGY2 IM spots and told the programs they were supposed to be going to sorry. The earlier you do it the better I guess since it gives the PD's a chance to look for an eager warm body to fill your spot. I even remember someone not showing up for their PGY-1 spot in my internship class. The truth is if you want out and you have somewhere else to go, the program you are dumping isn't likely to sue you just to keep you around