I'm going to bump this. I'd be interested in even hearing a little broader of answers. Would you guys tell us your general impression of EM in the military? I've searched the archives and found some good information, but I still would like more perspective. From my research it seems that the Army has the most available positions for EM docs and residency slots, but what about the Navy and AF? Also, are there many positions for EM docs other than at the major military hospitals? When deployed, what types of duty can you expect? Anything else you'd like to share for those of us considering the route would be great!
Thanks,
Nate.
I did HPSP, Civilian residency, and have been active duty since that time. I'm currently deployed.
EM in the military bites sufficiently that the retention rate is less than 5%. This for several reasons:
1) You don't really get to practice Emergency Medicine, even at the big academic centers. The patient population isn't very sick. There aren't very many old cardiac/septic patients and there aren't very many traumas compared to many/most civilian EDs. There are a LOT fewer procedures in military EDs/UCCs.
2) The usual military stuff...deployments, being told where you can live, not having control over your work environment etc
3) The pay. I make $115-120 a year out of residency. My residency mates signed for $200-$240K/year, more after making partner in 2-3 years.
A few deployments are pretty interesting, for example going to the big trauma center at Balad. But MOST EPs don't get to go there. They get sent places like where I am now. Not only do I not see any emergencies, but I don't see any trauma either. In fact, I am currently doing stuff I wasn't even trained in, such as taking care of high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
While the military needs good EPs for the occasional times when it has a need for us, I cannot in good conscience tell someone to sacrifice their career, their freedom, and their family life by signing up for HPSP/USUHS.
Military EM is like internal medicine. I'm glad someone is willing to do it, but I'm not.