How long can she take off between 4th yr and residency (OB) for kids?

[Swimming]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi! My friend is pregnant with her 2nd kid and wants to take off time between 4th year and residency - ideally 3 years. Will her board scores last that long / will OB residencies still take her? Residencies can never be part-time, right?

Thanks in advance for all replies!!!

 

[DoctorFunk]

Not sure how long board scores last, but taking 3 years off at that critical point in a person's training probably isn't the wisest move. As we all know, when it comes to our education you either "use it or lose it," and I can't imagine remembering much beyond the very basics after taking such an extended hiatus from medicine.

 

[Dr. McDreamy]

why doesn't she set up a meeting with her dean and talk about it? that would give her better advice. but i agree with the previous poster...sounds like a pretty bad idea. Take off time during residency: ok, before: not ok

 

[Swimming]

Thanks very much DoctorFunk and Dr. McDreamy! You are right Dr. McDreamy, she does have a meeting set up with the Dean -- I was just checking here in case someone knew / had experience with this.

Thanks again for any more replies!!!

 

[dpmd]

Why would taking three years off be any better during residency than before. It seems more important to not interrupt the on the job training portion of her training? The things she forgets during this time will come back to her over time. Would you rather she have to re-learn the approach for a c-section and the management of polycystic ovaarian syndrome?

To the OP your friend should check the FREIDA site to see which residencies offer a part time option (I have seen it as a search option, but I don't know what specialties have it). I am not sure where you would find info on how long board scores are good for. If she has competitive scores, I think she can get in but some programs may question her dedication to the field which may hurt her. She would probably want the programs that are ok with kids anyway.

 

[Law2Doc]

Why would taking three years off be any better during residency than before. It seems more important to not interrupt the on the job training portion of her training?

While I don't have the answer to that, folks who do combined degrees and don't plan to practice medicine are frequently advised to at least do the first year of residency (an internship year), so that they leave the door open if they ever want to come back to medicine. So I expect whatever reason generates that advice probably applies here as well?

 

[Swimming]

Thanks very much dpmd and Law2Doc, your points are great, and I will definitely pass all this on to her.

Thank you still to any more replies!!

 

[Dr. McDreamy]

Why would taking three years off be any better during residency than before. It seems more important to not interrupt the on the job training portion of her training? The things she forgets during this time will come back to her over time. Would you rather she have to re-learn the approach for a c-section and the management of polycystic ovaarian syndrome?

To the OP your friend should check the FREIDA site to see which residencies offer a part time option (I have seen it as a search option, but I don't know what specialties have it). I am not sure where you would find info on how long board scores are good for. If she has competitive scores, I think she can get in but some programs may question her dedication to the field which may hurt her. She would probably want the programs that are ok with kids anyway.

i think the idea is that it's harder to get into a residency than it is to just take a couple of research years during a residency. if you take off time after medical school it may impact your chances of matching. however, it is commonplace to do research years during residency which are much more relaxing than actual residency work.

i once met a doctor who met his wife in medical school. they both matched into general surgery. then his wife got pregnant, had a kid and "changed her priorities". so she completed her intern year and then worked for 5 years in ER. now she just matched into derm. so it can be done.

however, only being an MSII i can't say i'm an expert on this. this is just anecdotal information from residents i know and my own observation.

 

[dpmd]

I would think the argument for people who don't plan on practicing medicine doing at least an intern year is so they can get their license which would then be good for as long as you keep renewing it (I think). This is a different situation. She has a defined period of time she wants to be gone. I don't think it is right to match into a categorical spot you have no intention of completing. I don't think most programs would allow someone to take three years off, then just come back. Doing a prelim or transitional year is a better option for people who just want to complete an intern year. This might work for her as well, but I don't know if she would be able to slip into an available second year spot when she wants to come back (program might have specific requirements for the intern year).

 

[GoofyDoc]

Hi. It's not as bleak an option as you may think. I had a 4-year "baby gap" following med school and I still matched w/o a problem. It depends on how competitive the specialty is (wouldn't be a problem with OB imho). I went into IM and got so many interviews I had to cancel a lot. PM me if you have any other questions.

 

[Swimming]

Thank you much Dr. McDreamy and dpmd. GoofyDoc! Thanks so much for writing and glad it worked out for you!