quality prelim/transitional programs

[xjohns1]

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i'm about to apply to anesthesia and prelim/transitional programs. i have a few questions about prelim/transitional programs.

1. any thoughts on general advantages/disadvantages to doing prelim vs transitional year? is it purely personal preference? i'm almost sure i'll do a critical care fellowship following residency. would that affect how i should think about this?

2. it seems like many people are looking for relatively easy prelim/trans programs and that it is the cush ones that are most competetive. what about prelim/trans programs at schools that are well known for their medicine programs and difficult to match in, i.e., mass gen, u penn, uchicago, columbia, etc.? are these prelim/trans programs also difficult to get? and what does "difficult to get" mean for prelim/trans programs?

3. any suggestions to very good prelim/trans programs in chicago, boston, philadelphia, and nyc? i'd rather work a bit harder for a very good experience and a solid medicine background than coast through a super-cush first year.

4. are four-year anesthesia positions generally more sought-after than the three-plus-one positions?

i guess that's a lot to ask for, but i really haven't seen much good information about this topic and would really appreciate any insight. thanks!

 

[Skrubz]

1. any thoughts on general advantages/disadvantages to doing prelim vs transitional year? is it purely personal preference? i'm almost sure i'll do a critical care fellowship following residency. would that affect how i should think about this?

some people will say that prelim medicine gives you a better foundation in IM, which makes the physiologic aspects of patient management easier. others will say that transitional programs provide you with a broader education, helping you brush up on peds, ob/gyn, and surgery. if you're dead set on critical care, prelim medicine might be a better choice for you.

2. it seems like many people are looking for relatively easy prelim/trans programs and that it is the cush ones that are most competetive. what about prelim/trans programs at schools that are well known for their medicine programs and difficult to match in, i.e., mass gen, u penn, uchicago, columbia, etc.? are these prelim/trans programs also difficult to get? and what does "difficult to get" mean for prelim/trans programs?

competitive programs for prelim/transitional are usually cush, or in a great location. don't really know about for schools that are well known for IM.

3. any suggestions to very good prelim/trans programs in chicago, boston, philadelphia, and nyc? i'd rather work a bit harder for a very good experience and a solid medicine background than coast through a super-cush first year.

i can only speak for chicago... programs that i would consider "cush" are st. francis (T>P), st. joseph (T>P), evanston northwestern (T or P), and macneal (T). programs where i think you would learn a lot are northwestern (P), U of C (P), UIC (P), rush (P), and loyola (P). i'd hazard that community programs (non-county) tend to be more "cush" while academic programs tend to have more learning.

4. are four-year anesthesia positions generally more sought-after than the three-plus-one positions?

not necessarily. some geographic areas don't even offer them (e.g. california). chicago programs tend to be split 50-50. it can be nice not having to move a second time, though, and it also helps you learn the system of the hospital where you'll be spending your residency.