LOL at "junior" attending

[PostCall]

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first time i heard this term i thought they were joking, but it's true. they actually label new attendings as "junior" attendings for the first few years, even if they're board certified. as if they're not real legit attendings yet. so what determines one moving from being junior to attending, and then from attending to senior attending?

 

[SocialistMD]

first time i heard this term i thought they were joking, but it's true. they actually label new attendings as "junior" attendings for the first few years, even if they're board certified. as if they're not real legit attendings yet. so what determines one moving from being junior to attending, and then from attending to senior attending?

The junior attending is the most "junior" attending in the group. While they will likely take more call (just as the most junior associate in a law firm will have a greater workload) due to a lack of seniority, it isn't a derogatory term. Also, I wouldn't laugh too hard, as you'll be one some day, even if you aren't going into surgery...

 

[Buzz Me]

It's common for the junior attendings to take more call and have fewer (and less glamorous) cases here, at least until they build up their practices.

 

[PostCall]

yeah i know. it's just ridiculous how the labelling never seems to cease in medicine. you're a resident, but you're just an intern. now you're a PGY2, but you're just a junior resident. now you make it to board certified attending, but they tack on the "junior" to it cuz you're new to the place. so if you're a seasoned 50 year old attending surgeon and u move to a new hospital, do u start again as junior attending there too or are u now considered an attending without the junior disclaimer.

 

[Buzz Me]

Wait until you see all the junior attendings being called by their first name by the rest of the faculty, in public forums, simply because (1) they did their fellowship at said program, or (2) they did their residency at said program.