Off-Cycle... Now what? Program Directors, Residents please help.

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crazydoc135

crazydoc135
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Hi all... I'm off-cycle after taking a necessary leave from PGY-1 due to health reasons. I'm in good academic standing and graduated from a US med school... Seriously, there are no other troubles except for health... It's impossible for me to go back to a regular residency schedule and the program is not showing any flexibility in helping me transition...It seems like they expect me to give up on my career. Any suggestions on what to do? I can't imagine this has never happened to anyone before. PLEASE SHARE ANY SUGGESTIONS! Thank you!
 
I think it's going to be really hard for you to get very much useful advice on here unless people have some idea of what is/was going on. How much of intern year did you do? What is your relationship like with the PD and other faculty? What is your relationship like with the other residents? What specialty are you in (surgery vs. psych or something more laid back would make a difference...). Do you still have a handicap now or were you just ill temporarily? What accommodations do you require in order to be able to do residency?
 
DF is right...to be able to really advise you, we need to know more information. I respect your right to privacy but your comments are pretty vague.

In the other thread you comment about legal action. Please note that:

1) residencies are not required to keep you on if you cannot do your job with "reasonable accomodations". We don't know what you are asking and what they need to do to provide for you to stay.

2) you have mentioned the word "disability". Are you permanent or temporarily disabled and does your disability fall into a protected class? If so, you may have legal recourse from being fired, but again, NOT if you are unable to do your job with reasonable accomodations.

3) finally, forcing legal action with the intent to stay on at a program that doesn't appear to want you isn't generally a good idea. I realize you like the program and the location but believe me, if you legally force them to keep you and provide you with whatever accomodations you are asking for, there will be some bad blood. Residency is stressful enough without being someplace you aren't wanted.

You've already mentioned in the other thread that you are fairly certain that they are ready to terminate you. I'd suggest that rather than forcing a lawsuit, you consider leaving with the agreement that they will support your application to another program, state that you left in good standing and provide LORs. Being terminated is a BAD thing, even if you win a lawsuit.

Please provide us with more details so we know what accomodations you need and what the program is doing. Are you in a field in which sharing positions is commonplace? Can you complete residency part-time or is working an entire day really impossible (AFAIK, shared positions aren't split by the hour, but by the day/week).

You may have a legal right to sue the program but I"m not sure that suing to stay on is in your best interest.
 
i myself had to also take a leave of absence due to health reasons. I was out for 9weeks. My program wanted to make sure that when i am back I will be able to handle all of the responsibilities, and i come back without any restrictions.
They will just extend my training at the program.
i wish u luck.
 
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