military hpsp programs??

[integra892]

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I recently heard about this program but dont know anything about it. I just wanted to know if anyone could point me in the direction of a good informing thread about all three of the military programs. I have never served in the military but am somewhat intersted in the possibility. My main concern is that I want to do a surgical residency (still dont know which but leaning towards general or cardiovascular) and if I will be forced into active duty without going to residency first, then I do not want to go into the program. If anyone can give me any advice about the programs, please let me know. Thanks!

 

[NMMed]

You can go to the website of the service you're interested in (e.g., US Army and get general info. Army has an IRC channel where you can ask questions of recruiters as well. Also, you can get a recruiter contact via the schools to which you're applying.

To answer your main question, there is an active duty (i.e., full time) committment, but not until after you finish your residency. The committment (according to the person I spoke with) will be equal to the longer of either your residency program or your medical school - which, for surgery, would mean your residency. During school, you're a 2nd Lt. with a 45 day per year committment, after school they bump you up to Capt. You get a little over $1000 per month in addition to full tuition, fees, and so on.

 

[brats800]

i've looked at the program a lot, too. its great to get school paid for and not have any debt when you get out of school. on the other hand, you will owe several years to the military. (some see that as a problem.) the best advice i've heard is that if you would want to join the military even if they didn't pay for school, then you should do it. if you are going thru the program only because of the $, then you are probably not going to like it. i plan on applying for the program for the 2005 medschool entering class. if you want more info, keep asking but first check thru old threads here in sdn. use the search function and look for HPSP.

 

[SonGoku]

I was also told that you are limited in your residency choices. Whereas orthopedics and internal medicine are possibilities, if you want to do some thing like oncology, derm, etc, you're out of luck. I interned with an orthopedic who did the hpsp thru the army and she loved it. She said the military is a great place to get training in orthopedics, and she didn't think a civilian residency could have given her such a great experience.

 

[DD214_DOC]

http://lukeballard.tripod.com/HPSP.html