Length of residencies

[deleted421268]

you guys think of length of residency impacts decision of going into specialty? For instance family medicine only 3 years as compared to ortho which is 6 years, start practicing as attending post residency younger age and etc.

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[NotASerialKiller]

Of course that's a factor

 

[Ismet]

I'm pretty sure ortho is 5 years. It may be a factor for some, but someone who really wants to do ortho would likely be very unhappy in FM. 2 extra years of training is worth avoiding a lifetime of a job you don't love doing.

Plus if you decide to sub-specialize in any of the specialties with 3-year residencies, you're going to be 5-6+ years in training anyway (other than FM, I believe all their fellowships are 1 year).

 

[TaroBubbleTea]

Of course that's a factor

It is a factor, but probably not as much as you think. It's probably more important for non-traditionals who start medicine later, but otherwise, I can think of several more important factors to base choice of specialty than length of the residency.

 

[NotASerialKiller]

It is a factor, but probably not as much as you think. It's probably more important for non-traditionals who start medicine later, but otherwise, I can think of several more important factors to base choice of specialty than length of the residency.

It's not a crucial factor, just one of many. Comes into play if you think you'd be equally happy with residencies that are very different lengths (family vs psychiatry) or when you're considering different routes to similar positions like full ER + fellowship vs working in an ER in a small hospital through family. Not sure about in the US, but if you don't mind living in a small town then through family you can do ER, anaesthesiology, etc. in a much shorter amount of time

 

[deleted421268]

It is a factor, but probably not as much as you think. It's probably more important for non-traditionals who start medicine later, but otherwise, I can think of several more important factors to base choice of specialty than length of the residency.

What about sub specializing in ortho that takes extra time addition to 5 years as well

 

[TaroBubbleTea]

What about sub specializing in ortho that takes extra time addition to 5 years as well

Yeah, 6 years is a long time, but if you are really interested in a specialty, is an additional year or 2 of training really enough to stop you? To put it in perspective, the cost of having a job that you enjoy enough that the daily grind is bearable until you retire is to spend X more number of years in training.

If the specialty you like happens to have a relatively short residency, then the deal is that much sweeter.

 

[deleted421268]

Ortho is one of highest paid specialties and there is lot of prestige with it. One of my friends dad is an ortho surgeon and everyone says like his dad is like a big time surgeon or how'd he get that car his dad probably bought it for him! So maybe going those 5-6 year long time worth it for some.