Residency Transfer Questions

[nike203]

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Please bear with me. I've been a long time reader on this site and it has been very informative for me but I have a few questions and wanted some insight/advice.

I'm currently in my first year of residency in Florida and am originally from the Midwest and am unhappy in the situation that I'm in. The program and everyone here is beyond amazing and they're the only reason that I'm even remotely happy here, but being this far away from home has been tough not only on my family but on me as well.

So the questions that I have are:

1) How easy/doable is it to transfer to a residency that is in the Midwest and closer to home? How would I go about doing this and who would I need to talk to? I am trying to avoid bringing it up to my program right now because if I'm unable to transfer then my remaining time here won't be pleasant. Also, I would be looking to transfer for my PGY-2 year and not mid year but am not exactly sure how the process works.

2) I am currently in an accredited AOA (D.O.) residency. Does this mean that I could only transfer to another AOA residency? Or could I transfer to a dual program (ACGME/AOA)? What about just a MD program (ACGME)?

3). I'm also possibly considering a specialty change if that could get me back to the Midwest. This is a little bit of a long shot but I figured it wouldn't hurt to just explore this idea. Would the process be any different for this? Would I have to "apply" for a PGY-2 spot in a different specialty or what exactly would I need to do?

Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance and I look forward to being a part of this great community.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

1. It is very doable. Unlike applying for PGY-1 positions where there is a very structured process (ERAS / NRMP / NatMatch), if you're looking for a PGY-2 transfer you simply have to contact programs to see what their openings are. It's early enough in the year that they may not know -- for example your current program doesn't know that you're thinking of leaving, so if someone contacted them they would say they have no openings.

Much depends upon the field. Transferring in IM and FP is relatively straightforward. Transferring in surgical fields is more complicated.

Key is the fact that you're doing well in your current program. If you're struggling or having problems, that's much more complicated and you'd be better off looking for a PGY-1 spot instead.

2. You might be able to transfer into a dual program, but only if an AOA spot opens up (I believe dual programs have a specific number of AOA and ACGME spots). You cannot transfer into an ACGME program.

3. Somewhat. If the specialty has a prelim PGY-1, then you could look for PGY-2 spots as long as your current year would count as a prelim. If the specialty starts in the PGY-1 year, you may not get credit for your current training and need to start at the PGY-1 level.

 

[thesauce]

Think hard about sticking it out. If you have a good program that is providing you good training, that's the most important thing. You don't know what you're going to get at another program. Most of us have had to be in a place we didn't like at one time or another. It's a temporary state and a growing experience. Good luck.

 

[nike203]

Thanks for the responses thus far.

The program that I'm in right now is a decent program but there are aspects of it that I'm not happy with. That isn't the main reason why I'm looking to transfer though but it isn't helping to stay here either. Obviously if I have to end up staying where I am then I will.

When I'm contacting programs to inquire about open positions, any ideas of what I should and should not say? I was thinking of stating that I'm currently in an accredited AOA residency and am doing well. The residency program has a good clinical structure along with dedicated time for education and didactics however because of the geographic location I'm looking to hopefully move back to the Midwest to be closer to my family. I don't want to mention the program that I'm in right now because if I'm unable to transfer I don't want my PD finding out.

I kind of have the mindset of poker where I'm trying to keep my cards close to my chest. I'm not trying to be deceiving in any way just trying to be smart about this situation.

Any thoughts about this? What would you recommend I say and go about this in the most diplomatic way possible?

Thanks again for all of the advice.