Not getting your residency contract renewed?

[Ontology]

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I recently heard about this and was wondering if anyone knew what this meant? What are the options of a person who doesn't get there residency renewed and why would such a thing occur?

 

[Catalystik]

This can happen for disciplinary reasons, due to general incompetence or other concerns about one's performance, because of poor fit for the specialty, from failure to pass one's Step III in a timely manner, or because the residency has a pyramid system where the weakest players are pruned away each year routinely.

One's options depend on the reason. Sometimes one's program director will help you get another place. Sometimes you're on your own and have to apply to outside programs. If you leave with sufficient negative commentary on your record, you are unlikely to find another placement.

 

[ZsaZsaM]

...due to general incompetence or other concerns about one's performance, because of poor fit for the specialty...

How common is this? Just curious...this is a looong time away for me.

 

[Catalystik]

In my experience this is not common, but some programs are known to be malignant in this respect.

Here is an pertinent thread from the General Residency Issues Forum that you might find of interest: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=659494

 

[Omppu27]

This can happen for disciplinary reasons, due to general incompetence or other concerns about one's performance, because of poor fit for the specialty, from failure to pass one's Step III in a timely manner, or because the residency has a pyramid system where the weakest players are pruned away each year routinely.

One's options depend on the reason. Sometimes one's program director will help you get another place. Sometimes you're on your own and have to apply to outside programs. If you leave with sufficient negative commentary on your record, you are unlikely to find another placement.

This worries me so much... I would be DEVASTATED if this happened. 🙁

 

[CodeBlu]

This worries me so much... I would be DEVASTATED if this happened. 🙁

Me too bro

 

[fizzgig]

is this pyramid idea really common? do programs play musical chairs? i could see programs holding funding for fewer in the upper years bc of an expected attrition rate based on previous data, but that's really concerning bc what if lo, your year everyone is competent and ready to move on? how often do you end up potentially being booted even though you're competent, just because there's no room at the inn?

this is pretty far away for me but the idea that after the hoop-fest of getting into a residency program (separate from competing for post-res subspecialties/fellowships and stuff) you might STILL be stuck in a zero sum game... ugh

 

[ADolefulDream]

That is so scary 🙁

 

[Ontology]

I'm in high school and this scares me..Maybe i'm just insane.

 

[thesauce]

If you read the general residency forum, it makes it seem like it's a daily occurrence.