GS residency - miserable?

[LIDO]

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Hi,

Quick question about GS residency. Are most GS residency programs pretty miserable? I came into medical school extremely interested in GS, but after dealing with so many miserable, unfriendly people, I am completely dissuaded. I realize GS is not for the faint of heart, but do any residency programs exists with happy / outgoing residents who are willing to teach / talk? Or should I just start looking at different surgical specialties (ophtho, ENT).

Thanks for the input. I would love to do an away / selective at another program, but I am fearful to even waste it if the experience is another malignant and depressing one.

- MS3 with dwindling hope

 

[45408]

I'm not at a miserable or malignant program, but we work really hard when we're at work, and we're at work a lot. Call schedule is pretty stiff, especially since the interns can't take overnight call any more, and we operate a lot (which is good), but the other work still has to be done.

 

[FSU2013]

@TheProwler - Can you post (or PM for the sake of anonymity) what program you're at? GS is one of the two fields I'm considering as an MS3 (the other is radonc) and I'd like to find programs filled with pleasant people. Thanks.

 

[Buzz Me]

Why such different fields? Gen Surg and Rad Onc have so little in common.

Is it the lifestyle that's driving you one way or the other?

 

[FSU2013]

Why such different fields? Gen Surg and Rad Onc have so little in common.

Is it the lifestyle that's driving you one way or the other?

Lifestyle actually doesn't play a big role - I have a bachelor's in physics and I came to med school planning on going into radonc. During my m3 rotation in surgery, I loved it. I realize they are pretty opposite, but both interest me for different reasons.

 

[SLUser11]

Lifestyle actually doesn't play a big role - I have a bachelor's in physics and I came to med school planning on going into radonc. During my m3 rotation in surgery, I loved it. I realize they are pretty opposite, but both interest me for different reasons.

Do a search. I've posted ad nauseam about the fact that surgery residency doesn't have to be miserable. There's life outside of your home institution. It's common for med students to have tunnel vision and accept their experience as being "the way it is." It doesn't help if they have tunnel-visioned residents and attendings giving them bad advice as well.....

 

[FSU2013]

Do a search. I've posted ad nauseam about the fact that surgery residency doesn't have to be miserable. There's life outside of your home institution. It's common for med students to have tunnel vision and accept their experience as being "the way it is." It doesn't help if they have tunnel-visioned residents and attendings giving them bad advice as well.....

I wasn't implying that my institution has miserable attendings. Quite the opposite - the attendings are a lot of the reason why I like surgery. My school is actually opening a GS residency this year. I love it here and I am contemplating staying. The only catch is that it would probably be difficult to match into fellowship from a newer program.

I was simply stating that I realize that I will work more hours per week in surgery than in radonc, but I don't weigh that heavily.

On a related note - what are people's thoughts on going to a new residency program? I would be competitive at most programs, but I like their philosophy here - they are very patient-centered, there is a strong sense of camaraderie and mutual respect, there is a high patient volume and, being a new program, there wouldn't be any fighting over cases. Thoughts? Thanks.

 

[joehuf]

Its probably not as "prestigous" as going to a program that's been around for a hundred years (or longer) but in the end if you think you would get good training and be successful, I say go for it. I would still recommend interviewing around at different places to see whats available. Most importantly I would make sure your program is fully acredited for 5 years by the ACGME and there's nothing "provisional" that might leave you stranded halfway through your residency.

 

[Buzz Me]

Personally, I wouldn't want to be anyone's guinea pig. But if the environment there is outstanding, and you know everyone there, and would be happy, more power to you. Just make sure accreditation, etc. is all 100% solid.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Outside of the obvious concerns about program stability/accreditation, etc. I've always wondered for new start ups: how is the workload distributed?

You mention that your program is "high volume". Without senior residents, what are the plans for seeing that the daily work of patient care gets done *and* gets you into the OR?

 

[Buzz Me]

Good question. Are they going to fill spots from all five years in this new program?

 

[FSU2013]

Good question. Are they going to fill spots from all five years in this new program?

They filled the pgy2 class and they are taking students in the match this year. When I would start, there would be both PGY2s and PGY3s ahead of me.

 

[FSU2013]

Outside of the obvious concerns about program stability/accreditation, etc. I've always wondered for new start ups: how is the workload distributed?

You mention that your program is "high volume". Without senior residents, what are the plans for seeing that the daily work of patient care gets done *and* gets you into the OR?

They have full 5-year ACGME accreditation. Am I correct in understanding this is the maximum length of accreditation for a new program? Obviously, that would put them up for review at the beginning of my 5th year. Would this give anyone pause?

I suppose my 'high volume' and yours probably arent the same thing......They may not be 'high volume' by others standard, but they have more than enough volume to get strong training. The volume would be sufficient to support 3-5 residents a year. They applied (and received) accreditation for 2 residents/yr.

Any other thoughts or questions I should be asking? Thanks!

 

[Winged Scapula]

They have full 5-year ACGME accreditation. Am I correct in understanding this is the maximum length of accreditation for a new program?

That is the max for any program, new or otherwise.

Obviously, that would put them up for review at the beginning of my 5th year. Would this give anyone pause?

Nope. If any problems were to be found that would result in probation, you'd be done by the time it was implemented.

I suppose my 'high volume' and yours probably arent the same thing......They may not be 'high volume' by others standard, but they have more than enough volume to get strong training. The volume would be sufficient to support 3-5 residents a year. They applied (and received) accreditation for 2 residents/yr.

I am much less concerned hearing that there would be 3 classes of residents in terms of work load distribution.