Medical Fellowship after being a PCP

[Question]

What are your thoughts about completing a hem/onc fellowship after being a PCP for years?

— Experts please respond to this post —

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[GoSpursGo]

What kind of research have you done?

 

[AlteredScale]

I have met a few people who jumped into fellowship after doing hospitalist for a few years. So it's possible. What is your specific question?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

It definitely can be done. But isn't easy.

The first question is whether you were competitive for a HO fellowship prior to your NHSC service. Will depend upon whether you're an MD/DO/IMG, went to a Univ or Comm based residency, USMLE scores and attempts, and any research you might have done as part of your residency. Also will depend upon whether you have good LORs from HO docs, and whether your residency institution had a HO fellowship.

In any case, you'll probably need to spend some time working to gain recent HO experience.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Agree with the above. Can be done but tough. What is your main reason for wanting to do this?

 

[GoSpursGo]

Your first step is probably to reach out to the PD of the HO program at your former institution. Your best chance is probably to get an "in" at your old institution since they already know you and get re-engaged in research. While you had "your share" of exposure to HO in residency, that was years ago and you're going to need something more recent.

The best, most direct route to doing what you want to do is to knock your home program's socks off by being productive in research and make them want to take you when you apply.