Just curious. Can you more or less count on being allowed to moonlight or it is common for residencies to prohibit it? A question to ask each program no doubt but I'm curious what the general proportions are...
Edit: Never-mind, just realized it's listed on the EMRA program list.
Although I respect EMRA, remember that the list is only as current as the last person that updated that information so be careful making complete decisions on that info only...
Moonlighting is a double edged sword. On the one hand.. Most of us here that are EM trained and are ABEM, like to believe that in an idealistic world, every ED/EC/ER in the country would be staffed by a similiar trained physician. Obivously we are years from that, and most of us (including ACEP) are beginning to question if we will EVER get there. I dont know about the rest of you, but I did not learn EM to work in a center with a census of 4K a year where you sleep all weekend... Therefore, the simple act of a 'resident' moonlighting goes against the foundation of perfection.. Some people well say 'its only a piece of paper'.. and in some ways it is just that, but there are obviously tons of quality control behind getting that paper. I have great friends not EM trained and who work in the ED who are as good and many are actually better than I purely because they have doing this a long time. I think non EM trained people that dedicate themselves to the specialty tend to do ok.. its those people that turn the ER work for extra money or because of being squeezed out of their OB group, etc is who scare us.
On the flip side, I believe its well demonstrated by others on here, leaders I have talked to, and even in myself... that moonlighting in residency makes you a much better physician out of the gate. On the scale of moonlighting, I was way on the side that did it ALOT. I showed up to my new job and the first month I was well nestled into the middle of the pack as far as various numbers and indicators go. I needed more help knowing where the bathroom was and who takes care of dialysis patients than I needed with the actual practicing of EM. I think most moonlighters come out similiar. My first shift after residency, I was not afraid of patient care.. I was afraid of getting along with nurses, my new colleagues, and being plugged into the system. I had already overcome the stress that comes with 'practicing on your own' for the first time (And trust me, thats a BIG stress)...
So... personally I am a HUGE fan of moonlighting and really encourage students I mentor with to have a GOOD reason for ranking a program that doesnt allow it first. I do still stand by the fact that Number 1 rank reasoning should be going to where you will be happy....
So, to answer your questions... I am not certain what the breakdown is nationwide. I interviewed at about 13 programs 5 years ago now and it was about 50/50 then at the ones I went to. My gut instinct is that the true number is more around the 60/40 mark in that 60 allow it in some fashion.. Some places only allow you to work the fast track at your only place, to others that essentially let you do whatever as long as it does not interfer with residency....
Good Luck...
