length and other questions

[iwantneurosurg]

---

Members do not see this ad.

i always thought general surgery was 5 years. then i heard that many residents, especially those who want a super-hard fellowship (like a plastics spot, or something else) do research too. this brings the whole program to 7 years. then the fellowship brings the total experience to nearly a decade. is this true or is she talking to some special circumstance?

and if so, how many residents take this long pathway? is it common for the ambitious who really want to secure that fellowship spot or is this quite rare?

also, if so, does this happen in orthopedics and other surgical fields? what about internal medicine?

lastly...is the path to urology only through a urology residency. e.g. plastics has the 2+3, 3+2, 4+2 deal with the first number being gen surg residency and the second number being in plastics, does such a thing happen with urology?

 

[Winged Scapula]

i always thought general surgery was 5 years. then i heard that many residents, especially those who want a super-hard fellowship (like a plastics spot, or something else) do research too. this brings the whole program to 7 years. then the fellowship brings the total experience to nearly a decade. is this true or is she talking to some special circumstance?

It is true and very common, especially for those interested in an academic career, running a research lab or, as you note, planning on a competitive fellowship. Some residencies require that you spend time in the lab, making it a 7 year general surgery training track.

and if so, how many residents take this long pathway? is it common for the ambitious who really want to secure that fellowship spot or is this quite rare?

Depends on the program and the individual. I was the only one of my graduating class not to spend time in the lab, but then I spent nearly 10 years in the lab before medical school, so wasn't really interested. As noted above, some programs require it, some suggest or encourage it, some don't offer it (ie, smaller programs without active labs, some community programs) and some residents don't feel the need to do it. But it is common especially for those interested in competitive fellowships.

However, some make also just relish time away from a rigorous residency. When in the lab your hours are much better and you often don't take call. This time can be uesd to travel, get to know your family better, have children or just relax a bit. You don't have to use the lab time strictly as a career builder but also as a chance to enjoy your life a bit.

also, if so, does this happen in orthopedics and other surgical fields? what about internal medicine?

It can and does, but may not be as common in other surgical specialties and I'm not aware of many IM people doing it, but it is also an option (but generally less common).

lastly...is the path to urology only through a urology residency. e.g. plastics has the 2+3, 3+2, 4+2 deal with the first number being gen surg residency and the second number being in plastics, does such a thing happen with urology?

Yes, you spend your first year as a Prelim general surgery intern (designated Prelim) before going onto your PGY2 year as a Urology resident. Both are applied to at the same time during your 4th year.