Programs being shut down....

[letsgomedical]

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I'm a DO student and I am going to apply to both ACGME and AOA matches (probably FM for AOA and psych for ACGME since there are only few psych programs in DO world)
I didnt take usmle step I and I am probably not going to take step II either.
So, with only COMLEX score, I will have to apply to FM and psych.
I was told that these two specialties are pretty accepting towards DO students taking only COMLEX.
And, to be honest, I am willing to apply to only FM programs for ACGME if FM is more accepting towards COMLEX (sad that I can't apply to two different specialties at one institution...)
My big questions is, with this ACGME/AOA merger, a lot of programs looks like they are going to be shut down.
I've heard horror stories about what some hospitals did to their residents, not even waiting for them to finish their training and just telling them to find new job and go through the whole match process all over again. (St. Vincent's, St. Barnabas in NY to come up with a few...)
This is the last thing I want to face.
I have been searching online and was able to find list of ACGME programs that were put on probation (thus, programs to avoid) but was unable to find info on AOA programs that are in risk of getting shut down.
Does anyone have any good info on how to find programs that I should avoid??
Any feedback would be appreciated!

 

[nlax30]

I doubt you're going to find the specific information you're looking for as we don't even have all the details of the merger and it's going to be a prolonged process over the next several years as programs begin the transition. So currently I doubt you're going to find specifics of program X is going to close while program Y is going to be fine.

That said, certainly I would think that stand alone really tiny DO programs would be most at risk but that's just my guess.

 

[Raryn]

The merger process is slated to happen over the next five years. Even if they start reviewing institutions today with an eye for determining who may need reform, it's pretty safe to assume that any program reviewed and found to be wanting would first be put on probation. It will almost certainly be a few years before any closures happen.

 

[AMEHigh]

My big questions is, with this ACGME/AOA merger, a lot of programs looks like they are going to be shut down.

Just curious, where are you getting this information that "a lot of programs look like they are going to be shut down?"

 

[letsgomedical]

just rumors in the air..... i might be just neurotic and being unreasonably worried.

 

[nlax30]

The bigger issue I see is if you are considering ACGME residency then I would be hesitant to apply for osteopathic programs especially FM unless you really wouldn't mind going there if matched.

 

[letsgomedical]

I might apply to AOA/ACGME dual accredited programs... Sadly, there werent that many dual accredited psych programs.

 

[gutonc]

just rumors in the air..... i might be just neurotic and being unreasonably worried.

Yes, you are.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Yes, you are.

I agree. The ACGME doesn't like shutting down programs. They give them multiple chances and options.

 

[AMEHigh]

just rumors in the air..... i might be just neurotic and being unreasonably worried.

Yeah sounds like you are being unreasonably worried. It definitely doesn't help anyone to spread rumors!

 

[Raryn]

I agree. The ACGME doesn't like shutting down programs. They give them multiple chances and options.

It's not outside of the realm of possibilities that some of the current AOA accredited programs will not be able to bring themselves up to snuff within a few years, especially in some of the procedural specialties where I've been told they have fairly low volumes compared to a typical ACGME program. That said, I definitely agree it will be years before that happens. The last thing the ACGME needs is some bad press coming from shutting programs down.

 

[MDtoUSMLE]

Let me add to the big picture too, there are many hospitals with residency programs entirely closing due to funding issues. Like LICH was closed last month. Interfaith and Brookdale hospitals (and residency programs) are on the way too. I guess we are coming not only to shortage of physicians which we already have but to a health care disaster that unfortunately there is no real political efforts to avoid it.

 

[DermViser]

Let me add to the big picture too, there are many hospitals with residency programs entirely closing due to funding issues. Like LICH was closed last month. Interfaith and Brookdale hospitals (and residency programs) are on the way too. I guess we are coming not only to shortage of physicians which we already have but to a health care disaster that unfortunately there is no real political efforts to avoid it.

Interfaith and Brookdale are actually closing? Just the residency programs, or the hospital itself?

 

[MDtoUSMLE]

Both hospitals are on life support by court extensions but eventually unfortunately they will have the same fate of LICH if no miracle happens. It seems the real estate value of these properties is worth a lot! Take a look on this link http://nypost.com/2014/01/22/cuomo-ny-hospitals-could-close-over-fed-funding-delay/