Overwhelmed 3rd Year Searching for Programs

[m.wilson]

Hi! I’m a 3rd year interested in family med and I’m starting to look at specific programs. I’m finding that the websites aren’t giving as much of a picture as I was hoping, and the residency fairs I’ve been to they seem to try to tell you what you want to hear haha. I was wondering if people had insight to help me narrow down programs based on a few criteria.

I want a place that has really robust OB training and cares sincerely about women’s health, and I also am interested in LGBTQ+ care.
I am hoping for a place that really has a tight knit feel and a positive culture.

Anyone feel your program is like this?

Thanks friends!!

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[Freezeout]

Hi! I’m a 3rd year interested in family med and I’m starting to look at specific programs. I’m finding that the websites aren’t giving as much of a picture as I was hoping, and the residency fairs I’ve been to they seem to try to tell you what you want to hear haha. I was wondering if people had insight to help me narrow down programs based on a few criteria.

I want a place that has really robust OB training and cares sincerely about women’s health, and I also am interested in LGBTQ+ care.
I am hoping for a place that really has a tight knit feel and a positive culture.

Anyone feel your program is like this?

Thanks friends!!

I looked at St. Joseph in Mishawaka, IN when I was looking at programs they’re definitely big on OB and women’s health. Seemed like a really great program if that’s your cup of tea.

 

[TennisShoeChic]

Hi! I’m a 3rd year interested in family med....I was wondering if people had insight to help me narrow down programs based on a few criteria.

I want a place that has really robust OB training and cares sincerely about women’s health, and I also am interested in LGBTQ+ care. I am hoping for a place that really has a tight knit feel and a positive culture.

Anyone feel your program is like this?
Thanks friends!!

Most people search for residencies based on 1) geographic location
2) their competitiveness with board scores based on the school’s board pass rates
3) everything else

I would say you have too many qualifications- pick one other thing you want.

would you be happier going to to a strong OB program (search for the mandatory # of deliveries to graduate) in the middle of rural nowhere, presuming there will be little to no LGBT emphasis?

Or do you want to go somewhere in NYC with very liberal/LGBT emphasis (google for FM attending a with “special interest” in transsexual psychology/care), but less OB training bc there is so many specialists.

The “close knit” aspect of the program is impossible to gauge until you get there to evaluate it yourself.

Really tho, imagine yourself being on a 4th year rotation and taking time off to interview. It’s near impossible to jet-set around from California to New York to Illinois to Texas to interview...$$$ aside, logistically it just doesn’t work. Most people try to apply to “chunks” of states that
Border their med schools, with perhaps a few outliers on the coasts. Then you can drive 2-10 hours to interviews and line them up.

I would focus on Nailing step 2 rather than worrying about programs. That will benefit you much more by giving you the freedom to interview many more places.

 

[HipsterLorax]

A couple programs in the west that come to mind based on your interests:

• Swedish First Hill in Seattle
• FMRI in Boise
• UCSF

At most strong programs there is usually at least one faculty member with an interest in LGBTQ+ health. How much that interest is incorporated in the program can vary, however.

 

[teacherman84]

I was going to say Swedish as well. I know a lot of people who did their OB fellowship there. If you want to get a feel for their residency culture check out one of the facility's podcast called Greyscale. Good FM podcast in general. The most recent one was related to LGTBQ+ in Medicine