programs have ultimate power in termination?

[luckycharms]

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Maybe I was too naive to think that once programs decide they want someone out they can make it happen at the drop of a hat... 😕

 

[chocomorsel]

Is this hypothetical, or has this actually happened to you?

The answer to your question is Yes. The programs have the ultimate power and can terminate you at will. Of course they have to have some evidence to support their decision, but once they have you under the microscope every mistake will be magnified and documented, every email scrutinized, every response analyzed and you get the point. They will make it a case and document to get rid of you. Just how it is, and most times we residents have no recourse but to find another program if lucky and move forward.

Been there, didn't get fired, but sure came close.

 

[Law2Doc]

I know there have been many posts regarding the issue of termination, but I wanted people's opinions on my situation bc I feel it might be slightly different (and it's nice to have other people weigh in). I don't want to give out too many details, however I'll try to explain what's relevant. Scouring over similar posts I realize it really is true how programs are able to terminate residents for nearly any reason they want.
So what happened? By nature I'm a shy/quiet individual and from the onset of my residency I was very aloof and (surprise) quiet. Many people mistook my demeanor as indifferent and labeled me as "passive." But I'm also a hard worker which people notice and appreciate, and given my work ethic I dutifully pass all my written exams. I get through a year without major problems, maybe just some "questions" about who I am and whether I'm capable.
Now, it turns out my senior who just graduated is kinda like me (quiet), except this person is also a bit socially awkward and not the most competent. They fail immediately upon graduating residency and now (this is my take on this) the program has to take a look at itself. Given the uncertainty about me (i.e. does he care? does he want to be here? etc), they might be thinking "We're not sure what his deal is, but we should get rid of him." Necessary steps are taken (probation, etc) and then I'm gone. Was all of this based on my demeanor and bc I'm introverted?
Maybe I was too "naive" to think that once programs decide they want someone out they can make it happen at the drop of a hat... 😕

Programs all keep a running file on you, which documents not only test scores but also evaluations of you by faculty, chiefs, nurses and support staff, as well as any complaints from patients. It's rare that anyone gets through an entire residency without multiple negative comments or issues documented. Then the PD meets with you twice a year and mentions any shortcomings and has you sign a piece of paper that you had such a discussion. So they basically have papered the file in the event they want you out -- they will always have a documented reason and one they can prove they told you about. Generally nothing comes of it -- you keep your head down and do good work and they leave this file in the drawer. But if they ever have a desire to let you go, they have a legal basis -- you had issues and they talked to you and after X months you didn't seem to have remedied things to their satisfaction.

That being said, in most cases the value of a good productive resident usually outweighs his being simply introverted, or the fact that a prior resident with a similar personality "failed" whatever that means. So they likely had a different reason, whether it was communicated or not, whether it was legit or not, that set them off on this direction. My experience with the folks I've seen let go is they didn't have much insight into the reason, or even that they were already "on probation". So I'm betting it wasn't just that they were passive and that a prior passive resident didn't do well. They may be totally out of line, or you may be totally oblivious to the issues they had, but I kind of doubt this was what set someone off. But yeah, if you rub the wrong person the wrong way they usually have enough in your file to simply cut you loose.

 

[DoC DeeZ]

For those who may be reading this post in hopes to find answers to a problem that you're facing, I hope that I can help you. I recently went through the longest battle a resident probably ever had with a residency. It was a military, surgical residency at that. The battle rages on, but I've learned a lot and I have put a page together to inform and encourage other residents who might find themselves in trouble.