Is it difficult to get a fellowship after anesthesiology residency?

[doc2b34]

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If I may, I would like to invoke the GODS of Anethesiology to enlighten me on this subject matter.

I heard that it's relatively easy to specialize in Cardiothoracic, Peds, OB or Pain once you're out of anesthesia training, is that true?

If so, could I, as an anesthesiologist coming out of a relatively unknown residency program get into a more competitive program.

If not, Why?

Thanks?

 

[deleted87051]

I have never heard of anybody who wanted to do a fellowship who could not secure one. It seems much easier to get a great fellowship than a great job.

 

[WalterSobchak]

I agree with nimbus. Getting into a fellowship was surprisingly easy. I told my program director my four top choices, and within weeks I received interviews at all these places. I was offered a spot at each, and picked my favorite. Maybe it's just because there aren't enough people crazy to give up $300K for another year.

 

[stephend7799]

I agree with nimbus. Getting into a fellowship was surprisingly easy. I told my program director my four top choices, and within weeks I received interviews at all these places. I was offered a spot at each, and picked my favorite. Maybe it's just because there aren't enough people crazy to give up $300K for another year.

hey great avatar.. thats walter pointing the gun at the other bowler for "stepping over the line".. THe "DUDE" was beside himself.. AM I WRONG?

 

[Hockeyguy]

hey great avatar.. thats walter pointing the gun at the other bowler for "stepping over the line".. THe "DUDE" was beside himself.. AM I WRONG?

"...its come to our attention that a Walter Solcheck drew a firearm during leauge play. This clearly violoates a number of the leagues by-laws..."

 

[stephend7799]

"...its come to our attention that a Walter Solcheck drew a firearm during leauge play. This clearly violoates a number of the leagues by-laws..."

"THIS DOESNT CONCERN YOU DONNY"

 

[doc2b34]

"THIS DOESNT CONCERN YOU DONNY"

Thanks Guys or Gals for the responses. I guess it is pretty easy to land a fellowship, but it would be hard to give up that $300K job for one more year of training.

Ok lets get back to the subject matter here instead of carrying on about the great avatar, 😀

 

[Epidural]

I agree with nimbus. Getting into a fellowship was surprisingly easy. I told my program director my four top choices, and within weeks I received interviews at all these places. I was offered a spot at each, and picked my favorite. Maybe it's just because there aren't enough people crazy to give up $300K for another year.

I think it depends on which fellowship you are interested in. If you are interested in Pain, I don't think you can expect to just list MGH, BWH, Hopkins, UCLA, and UCSF and expect to get interviews and offers at all of the above. There were many applicants from the so-called "top programs" who expected to walk into their choice of Pain fellowships and were sorely disappointed. We even had a Chair of one of these programs call our program director requesting that we take at least one of their applicants because they didn't have enough room for all them. Since we had 6 of our own residents apply this year, we didn't offer any spots (in many cases interviews) to their residents.

Peds is also getting more competitive -- especially if you want to go to one of the top programs. One of the top programs is already filled for 2007-8 from what I've heard from the residents applying.

While there is an opportunity cost to doing a fellowship, it isn't as straightforward as just "giving up $300K". While some may argue whether or not you really need to do a Cards, OB, or even Peds fellowship (less arguments nowadays), you definitely will need to do a Pain fellowship going forward. Doing a fellowship can also help secure a great job, shorten the Partnership track, and offer a higher initial salary. Anyway, just thought you should get another perspective.