There are some ACGME PM&R categorical positions, but most are PGY2-4. Thus if you are applying ACGME PM&R, it would be wise/in your best interest to apply for a prelim year.
http://www.aapmr.org/career/students/career-planning/Pages/guide-to-apply.aspx
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PGY1 Training
There are a number of residencies (i.e. radiation oncology, neurology, dermatology, etc.) that start residency after a year of preliminary training. There are some PM&R programs that include a PGY1 year and PGY2-4 years, which are called categorical positions. However, a majority of the PM&R residency programs offer only PGY2-4 or advanced positions. Therefore, you typically will have to apply for a separate preliminary year (i.e. internship) along with your PM&R residency program during the summer of your 4th year in medical school.
Internship can be done through internal medicine, surgery, family medicine, pediatrics, a rotating osteopathic (DO) or transitional year (MD).
If you applying to:
- A residency program that offers both categorical and advanced positions, it is the applicant's advantage to rank both positions and maximize their chance of matching.
- Only advanced positions, you will need to apply and rank for a separate internship year along with your PM&R Residency.
- Programs with a variety of categorical and advanced options, you still need to rank and apply for a separate internship in case you do not match for a categorical position.
- Also consider ranking preliminary year positions only at the bottom of your rank order list in the event you do not match into a categorical or advanced position.
Osteopathic Medical Students and PM&R
There are a couple of issues that are unique to osteopathic medical students applying to the match.
- ERAS
- July 1 marks the date that medical students (allopathic and osteopathic) can start working on their ERAS Application. However, osteopathic applicants can begin submitting their ERAS applications to osteopathic (internship) programs only starting on July 15. Applicants applying to ACGME programs (internship or residency) can submit their application starting on September 1.
- Internship
- Osteopathic medical students are eligible to apply for all internships as listed above including an osteopathic rotating internship. Because the osteopathic match is one month earlier than the allopathic match, osteopathic medical students should be aware of a couple of things.
- If your plan is to match into a categorical PM&R position and you match for an osteopathic internship in February, you will not be eligible for that position during the allopathic match in March.
- If you plan on completing an osteopathic internship and an allopathic PM&R residency, you will find out where you match in February and then March (respectively).
- If you are interviewing at both allopathic and osteopathic internships and you match into an osteopathic internship, you will no longer be eligible for any allopathic internships in March.
- Similarly, if you match to an osteopathic residency you are not eligible for allopathic residency.
- There are 5 PM&R DO residencies. Of these, Nassau University Medical Center and EW Sparrow Hospital are the only 2 dual-accredited programs meaning you can apply through the allopathic or osteopathic match.
- DOs who complete an ACGME residency, can take the DO AOBPM&R Boards. Many specialty boards within PM&R (ie: Sports Medicine, Pain Management) are still available to DOs who do not complete a fellowship in said area if the DO has taken the DO PM&R Boards.
If you have any other questions regarding osteopathic internships and the Match, please contact your academic advisor or the
American Osteopathic Association."
