Navy HPSP and Residency

[brjenkins]

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Hello all,
I'm currently working my way through the Navy HPSP application process and just had a few questions before I sign the dotted line if I get selected. First off, my decision to join the military is not based on financial aspects (even though it is a good deal). I have had family members and friends serve and I am fully convinced that I also want to serve. I understand the possibility of serving a GMO tour in between med school and residency is very likely and I have heard all the horror stories about GMO land and after doing research, I don't think it is as bad as people make it out to be.

My question is about all these people saying that the Navy will "force" you into a residency based on their needs. I'm pretty sure I want to go into EM or general surgery, so if they do not have a need in those specialties am I just going to be screwed into something I don't want to do? Thank you all in advance for your responses and thank you to those of you who are currently serving or have served in the past.

 

[HighPriest]

This question is answered in the forum, but here it is:
they're not going to force you in to a residency. you may not match into the residency you want, but the worst case scenario (unless you do something you shouldn't with regards to applying) is that you don't match, you do a GMO and you either re-apply or get out and apply for a civilian residency.

With regards to all the disclaimers, good luck to you.

 

[Cooperd0g]

Even though you won’t be forced into a residency, you may be forced into an internship if you fail to match into your desired one. That is because you are required to do an internship.

 

[pgg]

Even though you won’t be forced into a residency, you may be forced into an internship if you fail to match into your desired one. That is because you are required to do an internship.

The only thing I'll add to this is that only USUHS grads are guaranteed an inservice internship (somewhere, in something, possibly not of their choice).

HPSP'ers however can be deferred for PGY1 and if they fail to match to a civilian program, they're in just as much trouble as any other civilian internship-less graduate with loans. Every few years someone drops by the forum in Dec or Jan after hearing they were unexpectedly deferred by the military, and finding themselves way behind the 8-ball for the looming civilian match.

Just wanted to explicitly point out that the possibility that you might be forced into an undesired internship doesn't mean you're guaranteed a position somewhere.

 

[j4pac]

Not everyone’s GMO experience is horrible. It’s likely that people screwed over by their GMO situation are likely to complain about it on a forum than those with decent experiences. But I’d use those posts to gage the possibilities.

You will not be forced into particular residents...but you may be indirectly forced into civilian residency like me.

 

[Detective SnowBucket]

Not everyone’s GMO experience is horrible. It’s likely that people screwed over by their GMO situation are likely to complain about it on a forum than those with decent experiences. But I’d use those posts to gage the possibilities.

You will not be forced into particular residents...but you may be indirectly forced into civilian residency like me.

@j4pac i was under the impression most would rather go to a civilian residency. I am also looking at Navy HPSP and am interested in civilian residency; even though the pay is lower, you don’t have to put it towards student loans during residency so the pay of military residency isn’t drawing me in. I also would just rather have more options and go to the best residency I can, be it military or civilian.
What’s your take on this.

 

[j4pac]

@j4pac i was under the impression most would rather go to a civilian residency. I am also looking at Navy HPSP and am interested in civilian residency; even though the pay is lower, you don’t have to put it towards student loans during residency so the pay of military residency isn’t drawing me in. I also would just rather have more options and go to the best residency I can, be it military or civilian.
What’s your take on this.

I don’t know about that. Lots of people genuinely want to serve and don’t just use the military as an avenue to get your education paid.

If you are interested in serving but want your choice of residency...I’d read more into the FAP. You can learn more in the stickies.

 

[John1513]

FAP has unique challenges.

Please consider this - a military Residency may better prepare you for military medicine.

 

[ArmyTiger]

FAP has unique challenges.

Please consider this - a military Residency may better prepare you for military medicine.

And a civilian residency will better prepare you for a career in medicine. Tradeoffs, for sure.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[pgg]

And a civilian residency will better prepare you for a career in medicine. Tradeoffs, for sure.

That's an overbroad statement.

Military GME programs range from OK to solid. None really compare to truly top tier world class civilian programs, but then again 95% of civilian programs don't either. This SDN notion that every HPSP'er would've landed that Second To None civilian residency at Ivy Hospital if only they weren't in the military is really flawed. Military GME grads typically have zero trouble working in the civilian medicine world, whether moonlighting while on active duty or after separating from service.

The only area where I would agree military GME really puts anyone at a disadvantage is research. If your goal in life is to do research, especially bench research, doing your residency (and possibly GMO time) in the military will be a disadvantage.

The training isn't the problem, unless your yardstick for a "problem" program is "any program that isn't a top 10 university hospital".

 

[John1513]

There is a steep learning curve for a new military physician entering from a civilian Med school and civilian residency.

This often accompanies much bewilderment & frustration of said new-to-the-mil physician.

He or she will hear and perceive the not-very-subtle suggestion of “oh he just doesn’t know how the military does things yet.”