Pediatric Qualifications

[ASU Sun Devil]

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What's your opinion?

Many pedo residents have said that their programs do not accept students straight out of school.

Other residents have said they accept most of their residents direct out of school and private practice wasn't a crucial selection factor.

I've heard it said that private practice is a disadvantage since you may have habits contrary to the program's philosophy. This side argues that programs want to train you their way and not to have to stamp out bad habits.

The other side argues you're more experienced. Quicker. More mature.

So who's right? and why? I personally want to get right into a residency. Why spend years doing something else.

 

[capisce?]

What's your opinion?

Many pedo residents have said that their programs do not accept students straight out of school.

Other residents have said they accept most of their residents direct out of school and private practice wasn't a crucial selection factor.

I've heard it said that private practice is a disadvantage since you may have habits contrary to the program's philosophy. This side argues that programs want to train you their way and not to have to stamp out bad habits.

The other side argues you're more experienced. Quicker. More mature.

So who's right? and why? I personally want to get right into a residency. Why spend years doing something else.

There is no right or wrong IMO. It will depend on the program, and even that isn't a constant. Some programs like MUSC are known for a preference for people with practice experience, while most really don't have a preference. If pedo is what you want to do, then go for it and don't waste time doing something you aren't into.

 

[dentalman]

I agree. It really depends on the people making decisions at each program. Some prefer experience, some don't, and some don't care. Do what you want.

 

[ItsGavinC]

If you want to get into residency straight out of school, then that's fine. Just be prepared to get some denials from some progams due to the fact that there will be other applicants with more experience than you have. No big deal.

 

[setdoc7]

Interesting. In our 2nd year class we have 2 residents straight from school, and 2 who did GPRs. In our first year class we have one resident who was in private practice for 5 years, one with a GPR, one with 2 years of GPR, and one straight from school. Go figure. We always try to accept the best candidates. Keep in mind there are financial reasons why some programs want residents straight from school, and some less tangible reasons for taking residents with "experience", "without bad habits", etc. Some programs have well known reps, others have had transitions which negate some urban legends.

 

[ASU Sun Devil]

Why do you think the pedo director chooses such a diverse class?

Is that an intangible consequence of match? Or intelligent design?

I see some potential advantages to diverse experience provided the residents mesh really well and are team players.

What are the financial considerations mentioned?

 

[capisce?]

What are the financial considerations mentioned?

I'm not sure what he was referring to, but I know hospital based programs get paid 100k per resident...at least according to my residency director. I'm not sure if it's from GME or another source.

 

[Montrealer]

You are right, I'm pretty positive it's from GME

 

[setdoc7]

It is GME and some programs only have for PGY 1 and 2, so if you do a GPR there is no 3 money

 

[capisce?]

It is GME and some programs only have for PGY 1 and 2, so if you do a GPR there is no 3 money

Not sure what that has to do with it...I don't see a dime of the 100k our program gets paid per resident.

 

[ASU Sun Devil]

I've completed an externship recently and the residents there expressed their feelings about entering the program straight out of school:
really rare to happen.

80% of those residents had GPR and/or private practice experience. One guy had been out of school many years and said he'd do it the same way all over again. Wouldn't consider going directly after graduation.

Interestingly the 20% who got in direct from school said "go for it". They'd do it the same way again.

The 80% group of residents seemed to imply that a stigma existed.... saying yeah it works for a select few, but that most people (recent grads) would drown with the high pace required after leaving a 2 pt per day dental school.

What are you (new graduate) residents doing that makes you a success story? I understand that I have limited experience, but I'm a quick learner and determined to overcome.

 

[capisce?]

I've completed an externship recently and the residents there expressed their feelings about entering the program straight out of school:
really rare to happen.

80% of those residents had GPR and/or private practice experience. One guy had been out of school many years and said he'd do it the same way all over again. Wouldn't consider going directly after graduation.

Interestingly the 20% who got in direct from school said "go for it". They'd do it the same way again.

The 80% group of residents seemed to imply that a stigma existed.... saying yeah it works for a select few, but that most people (recent grads) would drown with the high pace required after leaving a 2 pt per day dental school.

What are you (new graduate) residents doing that makes you a success story? I understand that I have limited experience, but I'm a quick learner and determined to overcome.

That's not the norm. All of the programs I interviewed at (8) had most if not all residents straight out of school. I'd say some of the NYC have a preference for GPRs and practice experience.

When you were a kid and were thrown into the pool, did you drown? Nope...you figure out how to swim. I went from seeing 2 patients a day in dental school to 30 patients my 1st day of residency. Sure, they were hygiene checks, but that's a huge increase. My second day I saw 10 or so operative patients, most of which were 4-6 years old and required n20 and behavior management.

Now, I don't flinch. Not because I do anything special but now the volume is routine. I am at one of the most rigorous programs in the country so if the 5 first years here who came directly from dental school can be fine, then you will be as well. Whoever said that about the drowning is mistaken.

 

[gryffindor]

Not sure what that has to do with it...I don't see a dime of the 100k our program gets paid per resident.

Ummm, yeah you do. That 43K salary they give you comes out of the 100K.

And I think what setdoc was referring to is that some pedo programs out there get that 100K per resident for a maximum of 2 years. If that pedo program took someone who had done a GPR, the government had already paid the GPR hospital 100K for that resident, and now will only pay the pedo residency another 100K for his first year in pedo. It has a 2 year cap on how much the government pays for the guy's training. By the time the guy reaches second year, the government has already paid out his 2 years worth and the pedo program loses out on the 100K. This can be the reason some programs take people straight out of school because they don't lose any funding this way. I had an ortho program director once tell me the same thing - he doesn't take anyone who did a GPR because of this funding scenario.

It's hard to explain, but it's how medical residencies work and it probably carries over to dental as setdoc implies. The government pays hospital A for 3 years for the student to do a 3 year internal medicine residency. The student gets an opportunity to do another 3 year residency in dermatology at hospital B. The government is not going to pay hospital B for another 3 years worth of residency for the student, it has a limit on how many years of PGY it funds per student. A lot of it is murky because it is hard to get actual documents on such topics, but that's sorta how it works.

 

[capisce?]

Ummm, yeah you do. That 43K salary they give you comes out of the 100K.

I believe in our hospital the program gets the 100k but our salaries come from the hospital versus directly from the depts budget, so then it would not come out of that grant.

Good explanation on the funding, I was unaware of the limit.

 

[setdoc7]

The GME money goes to the hospital, not the departmental budget per se, and the salary is only part of the money, benefits take up a nice chunk too.

 

[UofToronto]

Hi guys,


I'm north of the border and new to this board. I was just wondering for those who have already made it to pedo res. What are your stats (GPA, board scores, number of years practicing before acceptances... ...EC's ) like if u dont mind sharing. Thanks again.


🙂

 

[ItsGavinC]

Hi guys,


I'm north of the border and new to this board. I was just wondering for those who have already made it to pedo res. What are your stats (GPA, board scores, number of years practicing before acceptances... ...EC's ) like if u dont mind sharing. Thanks again.


🙂

Doing a quick search using the search function is your best bet. We've had a couple of threads for each of the past two years on this subject. You'll find plenty of stats and acceptances in those threads.