ROL help: BIDMC vs Brigham/MGH; and 3 vs 4 yr

[energy_girl]

I would love some advice on how to rank these two programs. Beyond the obvious differences (BIDMC = 3 year, more community, one major site and 6 minor ones vs Brigham/MGH = 4 year, more academic, two major sites), are there other things that you would consider? I liked both a lot during the interview, but after the interview, I still don't have a great understanding of specifics that might help differentiate the two, like elective opportunities, shift length, facilities/staff, etc. Since I'm not from within the Harvard system, I also don't know much about the hospitals in general, or how EM is perceived in the hospital and departments concerned--any info you guys have would be really helpful, from the perspective of fellow applicants or residents.

And a related query--the 3 vs 4 yr question. I'm not convinced that the 4th year is necessary to do academics with a 3+1 option like BIDMC, and I have a fairly good idea of what I want to do my academic research year and so don't really need extra elective months to figure it out. Are there other reasons that I'm not thinking of for why to do 4 over 3 years?

Thanks, everyone!

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[southerndoc]

For the 3 v 4 year debate, do a search. No sense creating another sub-thread about it.

For the BWH/MGH v. BIDMC debate, I'll let someone with authority speak on that one.

 

[VentdependenT]

hmm... Harvard or harvard.

 

[energy_girl]

Anyone else facing this choice or are residents at either of the two programs? It's a sincere question on my part, with 20 days to go before ROL submissions....

 

[quideam]

If you're trying to decide between BIDMC and MGH, then I'm assuming you're interested in more of an academic program than a "knife and gun" county or something smaller/community-based. For academics, I thought BIDMC would be just fine - great name, good (growing) reputation, and the optional fourth year is a good deal if you want it because it's like a guaranteed, tailored fellowship with a great salary. MGH probably has a slightly better name/reputation over all, for whatever it's worth (and I don't think it's worth all that much), but is a required 4 years (though with some incredible international electives, if you're into that). I did get the impression, however, that MGH is more 'malignant' with other services - surgery in particular - running things witha heavier hand than most other programs. But, BIDMC isn't exactly an ER thoracotomy kind of place either, so it's all about what's important to you. I do think the 6 different sites is a bit much, but not necessarily a huge deal, especially because it gives you a greater variety of patients and practice locations that can be real eye-openers.

At the end of the day, they're both great academic programs with some minor differences. Where did you like the people better? Does anything in particular stick out to you about one or the other? Anything really, really bother you? If it were me and I had to choose between the two, I think that I would pick BIDMC because:
- I would rather do a 3+1 than a 4 year program because you don't know what you're going to want 3 years from now, and it's always better to have more options
- Having a surgery desk in the ED so that they can evaluate potentially surgical patients before the EM docs work them up seems ridiculous
- For your off-service months, BIDMC definitely has a (silghtly) less malignant reputation than MGH

Just my opinion... good luck!

 

[bartleby]

Having a surgery desk in the ED so that they can evaluate potentially surgical patients before the EM docs work them up seems ridiculous

It seems ridiculous because, umm... it is.

 

[Janders]

Hi,
I am one of the second year residents at BIDMC. I'll try to answer some of the questions you brought up. However, I'm not going to be a ton of help comparing us to BWH/MGH. Really all I know about their program is second hand... I do know their residents that I've met at the rotations we share (Childrens) seem very nice/smart/happy with their choice of programs.

... but after the interview, I still don't have a great understanding of specifics that might help differentiate the two, like elective opportunities, shift length, facilities/staff, etc. Since I'm not from within the Harvard system, I also don't know much about the hospitals in general, or how EM is perceived in the hospital and departments concerned--any info you guys have would be really helpful, from the perspective of fellow applicants or residents...

Elective opportunities: we get 6 weeks of electives all during your third year. You can do anything you want with this... well anything within a stone's throw of reason. A lot of people do international electives; we have an affiliation with hospitals in Italy and its tradition that most people do a week+ there. Many people use a week to do Pediatric Anesthesia as you can never get enough pedi intubations in residency. You can do any elective you think of.

Shift Length: At the mothership (BI) your shift lengths vary. Interns have 11hr and 8hr shifts (plus an hourish for sign out). Second years are 9 hours. Third years are 8 hours with 12 hour shifts on weekends. At our affiliates your hours vary, but are generally 8 hour shifts.

Facilities/Staff: Great. We have wonderful attendings who are active in teaching/international work/public health/research/writing. They will let you in on their projects. You will have to turn down many opportunities as there are too many to go around. The facilities themselves are just lovely. I mean, we don't have a masseuse on staff... but one can dream.

EM perception: We seem to get along with everyone just fine. I've had nothing but cordial relationships with my fellow residents on off-service rotations. Nothing malignant at all.

In conclusion: I'm very happy with my program. Please let me know if you have any specific questions I haven't touched on. Good luck with your rank list, its a rather nerve wracking experience, isn't it?