Importance of Good Residency Placement?

[Naphtali]

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OK, we all know the mantra: "I have to get into a good undergrad, so I can get into a top med school, so I can get into a good residency, so..."

The what? Or, to put it another way: What advantage does Joe MD get by doing his residency at Prestige University, as opposed to Podunk General?

I know some fields are more competitive than others. I also know some geographical areas are more in demand than others. Yeah, getting into derm at UCSF would be a b.tch. People imply that being at a big name institution opens doors... what opportunities would you have there you wouldn't have at a smaller, lesser know place?

Please enlighten me-- I'm an MS1, and I have to decide if I'm going to be laid back or a gunner. 😎

Naphtali

 

[ckent]

The fact that your md/phd already gives you a one up already in terms of getting competetive residencies/fellowships. My only advice would be to try your best and don't slack off. Even if your heart isn't set on derm right now, who knows what you will be thinking in ~7 yrs. Also, even if you are deadset on something like pathology, you never know, that could all of the sudden become very competetive too. It happened to rads in a matter of years, it could happen to any specialty. Another possible scenario would be if you wanted to participate in the couples match or were all the sudden tied to a location, then you'd have to be competetive for whatever program was in that area. Anyways, you just don't want to be in a position 7 yrs later after all your hard work wishing that you worked harder and got into the residency/specialty that you wanted to do.

 

[Sessamoid]

That's a good summary by ckent. I'd say that the prestige of a residency is pretty important if you're seriously considering an academic career or at least an academic post immediately after residency. It may help somewhat in finding other jobs after residency, but I doubt it will make a huge difference unless you happen to be in the top program in the country.

Even for grads from the most prestigious programs, regional preferences and personal networking will outweigh the advantages of a "big-name" residency easily. Networking and making contacts is key. That's also one of the advantages of taking a residency in an area you want to practice, as you'll have built-in connections when you graduate. Similarly, it also helps if your residency is an old one, as it'll have a larger pool of previous graduates that you automatically have a connection with.

 

[oldandtired]

Ask yourself how important the prestige of your college was to getting into your medical school? You had people in your class from truman state, bumbleboon u, etc. So probably not very important?


It is even less important where you do your residency. In radiology, academics is as wide open as something can get. Many other highly compensated subspecialties are also lacking academic faculty. Private practice opportunities are wide open in many fields also. Like someone said, connections are the key. Go to a locale where you are happy.

 

[shag]

Completing a residency at a top tier program with a well know program director will increase your chances of getting a (good) fellowship.

At this point in the game (MS-4), I have several friends who are applying to Gen surg or IM because they still haven't figured out what they want to do when they grow up. 🙂 If you view residency as another stepping stone to your final career choice, then prestige is key... If you are at your end point in the education game, then you can receive excellent training at a less well known community program.