How difficult is it to get a neonatology fellowship?

[yellowcocopuffs]

I have an interest in neonatology and am aware that you need to get into a peds residency (3yrs) followed my a neonatology fellowship (3yrs). However, I was wondering how difficult it is to get a neonatology fellowship and whether where you went to medical school matters (if it falls below the top 10 mark). Does it just depend on where you do your residency? What if you are not going to study at an academic/research powerhouse for the M.D.? Would this hinder your chances?

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[JackShephard MD]

I have an interest in neonatology and am aware that you need to get into a peds residency (3yrs) followed my a neonatology fellowship (3yrs). However, I was wondering how difficult it is to get a neonatology fellowship and whether where you went to medical school matters (if it falls below the top 10 mark). Does it just depend on where you do your residency? What if you are not going to study at an academic/research powerhouse for the M.D.? Would this hinder your chances?

Here is a good website:
http://www.nrmp.org/data/index.html

Where you do residency is more important than where you go to medical school for fellowships.

http://www.nrmp.org/data/resultsanddatasms2012.pdf

For Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine:
It appears that 113 out of 122 US grads filled their positions (93% match rate) and 51% of the 222 available positions were filled by US grads, and only 86% of those positions were filled in total (+ IMGs). Meaning 14% of spots went unfilled.

It doesn't appear very competitive.

 

[yellowcocopuffs]

Here is a good website:
http://www.nrmp.org/data/index.html

Where you do residency is more important than where you go to medical school for fellowships.

http://www.nrmp.org/data/resultsanddatasms2012.pdf

For Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine:
It appears that 113 out of 122 US grads filled their positions (93% match rate) and 51% of the 222 available positions were filled by US grads, and only 86% of those positions were filled in total (+ IMGs). Meaning 14% of spots went unfilled.

It doesn't appear very competitive.

Thank you so much for this info!

 

[surftheiop]

Head over the Pediatric sub-forum, one of their most active posters is neonatologist at an academic hospital with a program, so Im sure he could answer any other questions. (Or probably already has if you search through the old threads in there)

 

[BigRedBeta]

Like any field, the top programs will be competitive, but overall it's not difficult to obtain a position.

Where you do residency, and how you perform there will matter significantly more than your medical school - and in general pediatrics isn't particularly driven by pedigree, so don't worry about a top 10 medical school to get a good residency either. There are many, many, many pediatrics residencies that will be great launching points for a career in neonatology, so it's also less vital you aim for "top" residency programs.

One caveat for all pediatric subspecialties - the top fellowship programs are looking to turn out academicians. If you know you only want to go into private practice neo, you may need to adjust where you look for fellowship. I'm not one to advocate lying or deceit, but there are fellows out there at top programs who lied during their interviews and are headed into private nurseries despite what they said at their interview. This distinction between academic vs private practice is probably sharpest in neonatology as it's about the only subspecialty field in Peds where there is enough volume/financial incentive to support a very large number of private NICU's. Most other fields need the broad referral base, and since NICU costs always get covered by insurance/medicaid and hospitals can advertise to draw in L&D clients, NICU's are usually money makers for hospitals which ends up meaning there are lots of NICU's out there.

 

[oldbearprofessor]

I'm not one to advocate lying or deceit, but there are fellows out there at top programs who lied during their interviews and are headed into private nurseries despite what they said at their interview.

OMG!!! I don't believe it. I am certain that everyone who tells me on interviews that they are going into academic medicine means it. People are deceptive? I don't believe it.

{OBP goes stalking off having had his day and faith in humanity ruined by BigRedBeta}

To the OP: Yes, you can go over, join the neo forum and ask the same question or read one of the many threads there about it. The answer is, as that meanie BRB said, neo isn't very competitive for US medical school grads. Top programs are a bit more competitive like in every medical field, but still not very competitive. And, you don't really have to lie and tell us you are going to do academics if you don't plan to. Just at least pretend to have a slightly open mind about it.

 

[yellowcocopuffs]

OMG!!! I don't believe it. I am certain that everyone who tells me on interviews that they are going into academic medicine means it. People are deceptive? I don't believe it.

{OBP goes stalking off having had his day and faith in humanity ruined by BigRedBeta}

To the OP: Yes, you can go over, join the neo forum and ask the same question or read one of the many threads there about it. The answer is, as that meanie BRB said, neo isn't very competitive for US medical school grads. Top programs are a bit more competitive like in every medical field, but still not very competitive. And, you don't really have to lie and tell us you are going to do academics if you don't plan to. Just at least pretend to have a slightly open mind about it.

I am actually not uninterested in academic med. But how will practicing academic med change your medical career (when compared to just doing private practice)?

I just joined the neo forum. Hopefully I will have access soon.