peds chances?

[jeesapeesa]

ross university
step 1 - 229
step 2 - 224
step 2cs - pass (SECOND ATTEMPT)

does that cs score really hurt my chances? i did not match this year into my first choice specialty, but i've always enjoyed pediatrics, especially peds cardio. trying to figure things out. any feedback would be much appreciated. have a good one.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Socrates25]

Peds is an easy match. You'll get in somewhere as long as you dont apply only to CHOP, Boston, Hopkins, etc.

 

[jcu]

CS failure + going unmatched = uphill battle. Make sure to apply to as many programs as financially possible, and you'll probably get into a community program somewhere.

 

[J-Rad]

ross university
step 1 - 229
step 2 - 224
step 2cs - pass (SECOND ATTEMPT)

does that cs score really hurt my chances? i did not match this year into my first choice specialty, but i've always enjoyed pediatrics, especially peds cardio. trying to figure things out. any feedback would be much appreciated. have a good one.

My guess is that you're fine if you apply broadly and save your money on no-shot programs like Socrates mentioned. Did you or can you get some good letters for peds from faculty you worked with during rotations? You should probably get those lined up. Definitely apply to residency programs at
places your rotated through and did well at if they have a peds residency.

Tangentially, if you get a peds residency and you are interested in cardiology, you need to hit the ground running. It will be important for you to start working on your CV early: research, resident level teaching, being a damn good resident, schmoozing, etc. It's one of, if not the toughest ABP subspecialty matches. If you're a superstar resident with good "street cred" for fellowship, by the time you're applying your CS failure and FMG status probably won't matter that much.

CS failure + going unmatched = uphill battle. Make sure to apply to as many programs as financially possible, and you'll probably get into a community program somewhere.

Probably the gap year is the bigger obstacle. If you are a good communicator in the English language and don't come off as a tool in person or (subtly) in your LORs, then I suspect single failures on these tests (CS, COMLEX PE) don't matter to most people that much. I could be wrong, but I think a lot of people think they were just a money generating scheme for their respective organizations.

I'm curious which pediatrics residencies are in a community program? The requirements for peds boarding are such that I can't see a community hospital really supporting a residency like it can for IM, FM, or surgery. I'm not specifically even aware of a community program; am I missing something?

 

[Killer T Cell]

I'm curious which pediatrics residencies are in a community program? The requirements for peds boarding are such that I can't see a community hospital really supporting a residency like it can for IM, FM, or surgery. I'm not specifically even aware of a community program; am I missing something?

J Rad, I was also surprised at the sheer number of community Peds programs out there. I interviewed at a handful of community places last winter - Geisinger, Lehigh Valley, INOVA Fairfax, Advocate Lutheran, and Newark Beth Israel.

There are so many of them in New York City alone- eg. Staten Island, Maimonides, St. Barnabas, Lincoln, Brookdale, Bronx-Lebanon , Flushing, Harlem etc. just to name a few. But quite a few community hospitals are affiliated with a University in one way or another. Now thinking about it, there are probably community + uni affiliated community programs across america than pure university ones.

 

[jcu]

I'm curious which pediatrics residencies are in a community program? The requirements for peds boarding are such that I can't see a community hospital really supporting a residency like it can for IM, FM, or surgery. I'm not specifically even aware of a community program; am I missing something?

Woops, I guess I should have clarified - community, uni-affiliated programs. FREIDA seems to make a point of delineating between the aforementioned and university programs. I'm not quite sure if it equates to being less competitive in the peds arena, or if only being an affiliation makes the program any less legitimate in the eyes of the ABP.

 

[Killer T Cell]

ross university
step 1 - 229
step 2 - 224
step 2cs - pass (SECOND ATTEMPT)

does that cs score really hurt my chances? i did not match this year into my first choice specialty, but i've always enjoyed pediatrics, especially peds cardio. trying to figure things out. any feedback would be much appreciated. have a good one.

As others have mentioned, all you have to do is cast a wide and realistic net. You should be able to easily match into a pediatric residency program as long as you're not too picky.

 

[ljpm8224]

Peds is an easy match. You'll get in somewhere as long as you dont apply only to CHOP, Boston, Hopkins, etc.

would anyone mind expounding on why peds is an easy match? is it seen as undesirable bc people don't like dealing with parents? or low comps/high malpractice? anything else? combo of all of the above?

signed,
someone who is interested in peds down the road

thanks

 

[oldbearprofessor]

would anyone mind expounding on why peds is an easy match?

Relatively low reimbursement and, with limited exceptions, it is difficult to make more money by doing a fellowship. Because pediatrics selects out a group that wants to care for children independent of their Step 1 score, there are some programs that are fairly competitive and get applicants with high scores and thus can be selective. On the other hand, there are plenty that are very non-competitive, especially for US medical graduates from any US medical school.

Malpractice rates are relatively low for pediatricians, although not the lowest out there. The risk of long-term care related to malpractice keeps what otherwise should be a very low risk field a bit higher on the malpractice rates, even in states with reform laws in place.

 

[Socrates25]

would anyone mind expounding on why peds is an easy match? is it seen as undesirable bc people don't like dealing with parents? or low comps/high malpractice? anything else? combo of all of the above?

signed,
someone who is interested in peds down the road

thanks

Obviously I'm biased, I think peds is the best subspecialty out there; who wants to deal with fat, old, drug seeking people all day?

The common criticism of peds from outsiders is that "I cant stand idiot parents." But that doesnt make any sense. You can either deal with them as parents, or you can deal with them as patients, but you WILL deal with those people regardless of what specialty you go into.

Peds is a low compensation field -- in fact if I'm not mistaken its the lowest paid specialty of all of them. A typical general pediatrician can expect to make 120-140k straight out of residency; most adult specialties hit at least 160k starting out. This is probably the single greatest reason for low interest among med students. Medicaid covers a large portion of the pediatric patient base, and Medicaid reimbursement rates are usually 10-30% lower than Medicare.

Malpractice is not that bad w/ peds, I'd say its average compared to other specialties. Its certainly not as high as ob/gyn or any surgical field.

 

[Socrates25]

Relatively low reimbursement and, with limited exceptions, it is difficult to make more money by doing a fellowship.

Good point, I forgot about this but its very important.

A medicine subspecialist can in many cases triple his income compared to an internist. A pediatric subspecialist on the other hand might make 50% more than gen peds, or in some cases actually get paid LESS than a typical general pediatrician.

I've heard horror stories about capitated systems paying peds heme/onc doctors 110k. Thats unheard of in the adult world.

If there's any $$$ in peds, its in NICU, cards, and GI. Probably NICU is your best shot, OBP is livin large!

 

[oldbearprofessor]

OBP is livin large!

My 2000 Subaru would suggest otherwise. Well, I am livin' large by paying massive amounts of tuition to high-falutin' colleges my children attend/will attend/covet.

 

[jeesapeesa]

thanks everybody. i think it was my own fault for applying to something that is uber competitive (anesthesiology), but if i didn't apply i would've regretted it. i enjoyed all of my rotations and would be happy in any other field (except maybe psych), especially pediatrics and luckily managed to get a letter during my rotations.

as for the CS failure....i really didn't study. i read FA once and thought that i'd "wing it". whatever.

also, is it a good idea to "shadow" somewhere where i might apply? i actually live down the street from children's hospital in LA. again, thanks everybody.

 

[ljpm8224]

OBP and Socrates, thank you for those awesome and informative replies to my inquiry! <3

 

[little pebble]

also, is it a good idea to "shadow" somewhere where i might apply? i actually live down the street from children's hospital in LA. again, thanks everybody.

I would say yes -- when I interviewed at the hospital where I did an away rotation, the PD mentioned that they would talk to the attendings I worked with. The idea is to get some of their attendings to know you. since you can't do an away right now, working at the hospital sounds like your best shot. Question to everyone else -- could the OP use a letter from one of these people next year?

Also, cast a WIDE net when applying. A friend of mine did not initially match with a program, so I just spent last week helping her scramble / SOAP / whatever we're calling it now. She matched into peds during the first round. She had lots of programs on her list, and didn't apply to any crazy competitive programs. Her one fault? She passed Step 1 on the third try. So -- be prepared to have lots of programs on your list, call a lot to make sure you interview at a lot of places, and travel a lot.

Good luck!

 

[SurfingDoctor]

If there's any $$$ in peds, its in NICU, cards, and GI

Actually, according this study, it goes Cards>PICU>NICU. Every other subspeciality breaks even or loses money in the long run compared to pediatric general practice. Cost analysis studies are hard to do, so take it with a grain of salt, but...

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21262882

 

[jeesapeesa]

Peds is an easy match. You'll get in somewhere as long as you dont apply only to CHOP, Boston, Hopkins, etc.

can i take step 3 during this gap year? i hear there are restrictions; correct me if i'm wrong.

 

[rdg123]

Current M3 pretty set on doing peds. Toward the end of M2 by brother was diagnosed with leukemia so I took of leave of absence between M2 and M3 to spend time with him. Eventually took step 1 did well and then did research for the rest of year. How much of a red flag would the LOA be? Just trying to get a sense for how broadly I should apply assuming that clinical grades and step 2 turn out reasonably well. Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[mvenus929]

I don't think that would be that big of a red flag, just explain what you did during that break.