Residency contract not renewed and didn't match for upcoming year

[rawlithium]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi everyone, I'm usually a poster in the pharmacy forums, but I had a question that I have little insight into. I have a friend who found out a little while ago that their residency contract was not renewed. She said something about trying to place a central line in a patient with a bad outcome and she was on probation previously. She tried to apply to another residency but didn't match or was able to get anything in the post-application period. I've googled a bit about this but the results come up with mixed opinions. Some say there is hope for finding another residency and moving on to getting a job as a hospitalist or specialist and some say otherwise. Obviously, I don't understand the gravity of the situation as a physician would. Does her story seem like a legitimate reason for being fired? Could anyone else share stories of life after this kind of situation or give me some insight as to what happens? What can I say to be kind and supportive without coming off as ignorant? Thank you for reading and response.

 

[NITRAS]

You generally have to be a continual screw up to get fired/non-renewed.

Central lines are high risk procedures, particularly when you are learning. Complications are going to happen, but there’s a difference between learning and being negligent.

Hopefully, she has enough training to get a medical license.

 

[deleted480308]

What specialty were they and what did they reapply to?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

My advice for you is to stay out of it. There's certainly lots more to the story than this, and it's very possible that your friend may have limited insight into what her problems were. You might hear her story and think "that's totally unfair", but if you heard the whole story come to a different conclusion. Lots to the story doesn't make sense -- the match was months ago, residents are usually warned months before their contracts aren't renewed, etc. Feel free to support her as a friend, but I would recommend staying out of the details.

Regarding the basics of getting a job/new position:
1. Graduates of US medical schools can, in some states, get a medical license with one year of GME training. Her program may or may not have given her credit for 12 months.
2. With a medical license only, it is possible but difficult to work as a physician. There was a recent thread here about someone starting their own practice to do wound care in nursing homes.
3. Getting a new position in another residency program might involve moving, or a new field, and would totally depend on the full details of her issues.

 

[rawlithium]

What specialty were they and what did they reapply to?

I think it was an internal medicine residency, no specialty. The contract non-renewal came in the middle of the second year.

EDIT: no details on what they chose to apply to, I would assume that most specialties would be out of their reach, correct?

 

[Mass Effect]

You generally have to be a continual screw up to get fired/non-renewed.

Central lines are high risk procedures, particularly when you are learning. Complications are going to happen, but there’s a difference between learning and being negligent.

Hopefully, she has enough training to get a medical license.

Hopefully not.