How to state not to contact my previous PD?

[prematch]

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What is the politically correct way to say NO to the interviewing PD, when he asks for your permission to contact your previous PD?
In my case my previous PD is inbalance, he assures me verbally to have them call and he says something(?) that causes the inviting program changes his mind.

 

[mlw03]

not sure what you're trying to say in the second paragraph, but i would suggest merely stating that you had a difference in style with your previous PD and that you're looking for a fresh start. however even after you say that, i expect that any program director looking at your as a serious candidate is going to want to talk to your prior "boss" - that seems to be the way the working world works, whether it's medicine, business, teaching, whatever.

 

[elwademd]

asking for a program of interest/inviting program not to contact your previous program is a red flag. the program of interest/inviting program needs to get some sense of who you are from someone besides yourself... and it's likely to be from your previous program director.

to combat the potential negative of the previous pd, it'd be best to get a letter of recommendation or 2 (or 3 or 4, lol) from attendings at your previous institution.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

asking for a program of interest/inviting program not to contact your previous program is a red flag. the program of interest/inviting program needs to get some sense of who you are from someone besides yourself... and it's likely to be from your previous program director.

to combat the potential negative of the previous pd, it'd be best to get a letter of recommendation or 2 (or 3 or 4, lol) from attendings at your previous institution.

As people have mentioned above, any Program Director who has any experience is going to demand to talk to your current PD. It's the first thing I ask anyone over the phone, before we spend any time reviewing their application in depth. Refusing = end of conversation.

To expand on the above, if you've had a falling out with your PD and don't feel that they would advocate for you, you should try to find someone at your institution who will. If so, when a PD asks to speak with your previous PD, agree but tell them that you have a difference of opinion with your previous PD and "would appreciate it if they would call Dr. XXX" to hear the "other side of the story".

Good luck!