house officership?

[blunt scalpel]

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I am a new poster on this blog, but I have actually been following it for a couple of years... so thank you to all.

I find myself in a very difficult position, out of a general surgery residency. I recently interviewed to be a surgery house officer at a hospital that doesn't have a surgery residency. The schedule is almost like a residency with better pay. The head of surgery there told me that they have been fairly successful in getting people back into surgery residency, though the amount of time spent there has ranged from a few months to a couple of years.

I had never heard of these house officerships until I found myself out of a residency and was wondering if anyone can impart any advice or knowledge about them. In particular, any knowledge of people actually getting back into a surgery residency. I am kind of daunted by the "couple of years" statement.

 

[ESU_MD]

beware of these situations. they prey on the desparate. especially if this in a big city or other undesirable hospital. unless you really have no other choice- think twice

also talk to former "graduates" personally to see how they were treated

i think the time frame of a couple years or months could be how long it takes you to get fed up of the abuse. or if you are a good worker they may try to keep you there on purpose to serve their own needs.

 

[Blade28]

Why go for this option versus a Prelim year at a decent program? 😕

 

[BlondeDocteur]

Blade, out of curiosity-- if the OP has already completed at least 1 year of categorical surgical training and been asked to leave for whatever reason, would s/he be eligible for a prelim year?

 

[Winged Scapula]

Blade, out of curiosity-- if the OP has already completed at least 1 year of categorical surgical training and been asked to leave for whatever reason, would s/he be eligible for a prelim year?

Not Blade, but I can answer.

Yes, technically they would be eligible for a Prelim year or a second Categorical year, whatever they could get.

The potential problem is that the ABS restricts residents from training in more than 3 programs, so if the Prelim year didn't pan out in terms of a Categorical position, there is only 1 more chance left.

 

[blunt scalpel]

I've actually completed three years of general surgery. I'm looking for a PGY-4 or PGY-3. From what I've learned about house officerships, they usually take only people with a minimum of 2 years residency experience, if not 3. The surgeon-in-chief at the hospital offering this position told me about a bunch of people he had gotten back into surgery residency with a few going off into some other specialty (I presume because they kind of gave up on surgery)... so I don't think its all smoke and mirrors. That being said, with my experiences in surgery, I think I am and ought to be concerned about being used.

If anyone has any more knowledge of these house officerships, I'd be happy to hear your advice.

 

[Winged Scapula]

I've actually completed three years of general surgery. I'm looking for a PGY-4 or PGY-3. From what I've learned about house officerships, they usually take only people with a minimum of 2 years residency experience, if not 3. The surgeon-in-chief at the hospital offering this position told me about a bunch of people he had gotten back into surgery residency with a few going off into some other specialty (I presume because they kind of gave up on surgery)... so I don't think its all smoke and mirrors. That being said, with my experiences in surgery, I think I am and ought to be concerned about being used.

If anyone has any more knowledge of these house officerships, I'd be happy to hear your advice.

Frankly I've never heard of such an arrangement and it sounds ripe for abuse.

I'd ask for contact information from this "bunch of people" who had gotten back into surgery residency and speak to them directly about the program. And not just 1 handpicked person, but several. If they are genuine they should gladly offer up this information.

I suppose if it comes down to doing nothing for this year and sitting out and taking this job, as long as it doesn't use a year of your GME funding, then its better than nothing (at face value...it may not be, or you may find a couple of years in the lab gives you more bang for your buck).

 

[Blade28]

Agree with the above. It sounds like a very bad situation.

BlondeDocteur - see WS's response to your question. 🙂

 

[eagleu]

I am a new poster on this blog, but I have actually been following it for a couple of years... so thank you to all.

I find myself in a very difficult position, out of a general surgery residency. I recently interviewed to be a surgery house officer at a hospital that doesn't have a surgery residency. The schedule is almost like a residency with better pay. The head of surgery there told me that they have been fairly successful in getting people back into surgery residency, though the amount of time spent there has ranged from a few months to a couple of years.

I had never heard of these house officerships until I found myself out of a residency and was wondering if anyone can impart any advice or knowledge about them. In particular, any knowledge of people actually getting back into a surgery residency. I am kind of daunted by the "couple of years" statement.

I hope you're not talking about some program in Queens, Jamaica, NY?

 

[blunt scalpel]

I hope you're not talking about some program in Queens, Jamaica, NY?

Actually, I'm not. However, I had heard about that program too... supposedly they have been "successful" in getting people back into surgery. Do you know otherwise? Like I said, I'd love to know anything and everything anyone knows about the house officerships.

 

[eagleu]

Actually, I'm not. However, I had heard about that program too... supposedly they have been "successful" in getting people back into surgery. Do you know otherwise? Like I said, I'd love to know anything and everything anyone knows about the house officerships.

I have personal experience with the one in Queens, Jamaica. They have about 50-60% success rate placing people into residencies, the problem is that if you're not placed they often wouldn't make room for you to stay another year, so you're on your own. Email me at eagleu@yahoo if interested in more details.