Second Residency ... in Dermatology

[docsnowdog]

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I have already completed one residency -- in Family Medicine -- at a well-respected school of medicine I've been in private practice for four years and am interested in doing another residency, this time in Dermatology.

I was in the top 20 percent of my medical school class, have high USMLE scores, good LORs, have past research experience, I'm an American and attended medical school and residency in the U.S., but have heard that, in addition to being an ultra-competitive speciality, it is difficult to get a second residency at all.

Does anyone have any insight into the likelihood of obtaining a second residency?

I have already applied through ERAS and am beginning to worry that since I am already a doctor in practice and due to apparent funding issues on the part of the programs, I won't get a look at all.

Will having already completed a residency actually work against me? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[xyzyx]

I know of some people who finished other residencies first (IM and peds come to mind) and then did derm residency, so it definitely can be done and programs seem fairly willing to take these people.
However, all of the people I can think of have ties to the program they matched at by either doing their previous residency there or doing a research fellowship there.

I don't know how much the program or hospital has to foot the bill though... perhaps you could ask the program director where you did your family medicine residency?

As for your "chances", it hard to give hard numbers.... Just to give you an idea, the match rate for "independent applicants" (you fall into that category) is like about 30%, compared to 60% for US seniors (I know the numbers for the 2009 Match was a bit higher... but still pretty dismal compared to most other specialties). but still, it can be done.

Do you have any connections to your home derm dept? It could be the dept where you went to med school or the one where you did your FM residency. If you're in a whole new city now for private practice, it wouldn't hurt to contact the derm department of the program in that city, get involved somehow (maybe small research project, review paper...) and just show your strong interest in their program.

Since you already applied, just do your best with the interviews you get this time around. If it doesn't work out this year, then think about your other options... If you feel strongly about derm, you could consider doing a research fellowship and get some publications in derm to boost your app. Your app sounds pretty well rounded otherwise.

Good luck to you! I know it's a stressful process. Just know that there are others also suffering through this...

 

[rolling wheal]

Last year there was an applicant I met on the interview trail that did some sort of primary care (not sure if it was FP or IM) for several years, I'm thinking 5-8 years post residency, and did end of matching. Not sure how many interviews they got but I would suspect several since they matched at a place other than where we met and they both were great spots. I think if you apply to a lot of places your odds will be much better (obviously). Hopefully you did that. I think some programs would like to have a more mature and experienced resident. It does seem some programs have a preference for non-traditional medical students. XYZXY's post is well stated. If you are serious and don't match this year I would apply for a research fellowship.

 

[Amoeba]

I I don't know how much the program or hospital has to foot the bill though... perhaps you could ask the program director where you did your family medicine residency?
...

An attending at my home program (med school program I mean, now elsewhere for non-derm residency) said that they were so badly in need of a peds dermatologist that they would fund derm residency for an applicant who had already completed a peds residency.

I have no idea how often this happens at other programs, or even if it's totally accurate at this one, because none of the residents at this program had trained in peds, or if this helps you applying and matching (ie if it's just as much of nightmare of competitiveness as it is for the regular 4th year students trying to match). It's an interesting idea though...so at least the possibility is out there somewhere.

 

[Dermguy]

An attending at my home program (med school program I mean, now elsewhere for non-derm residency) said that they were so badly in need of a peds dermatologist that they would fund derm residency for an applicant who had already completed a peds residency.

I have no idea how often this happens at other programs, or even if it's totally accurate at this one, because none of the residents at this program had trained in peds, or if this helps you applying and matching (ie if it's just as much of nightmare of competitiveness as it is for the regular 4th year students trying to match). It's an interesting idea though...so at least the possibility is out there somewhere.

Have seen this in Peds as well but not in anything else.

 

[coffeesipper]

I've heard that some derm residencies don't like applicants that already completed a full 3-yr internal medicine residency due to ACGME rules or reimbursement / financial issues. Anyone else heard about this?

thanks!

 

[Dral]

Yeah, I thought I remembered someone stating that each person in essence gets a certain number of years of resident 'funding', and after that is used up, it's not as likely to obtain further 'training'.

I can't find anything about that though, so I'm not certain.

 

[docsnowdog]

I wanted to thank everyone for their thoughtful, insightful replies to my questions. Like I said, I have been out of the medical school loop for a while, having completed one residency already and having been in private practice for several years now.

I truly appreciate the time you took to answer my questions. I am feeling less than hopeful about my chances. I still hope my strong grades, USMLE, years of experience in private practice and recommendations will get me a few looks. But if not, a fellowship, as a few suggested, is a great idea.

Thank you again, and if anyone else has any additional thoughts or knows of someone in a similar situation I'd love to hear their story. Merci!

 

[docsnowdog]

Yeah, I thought I remembered someone stating that each person in essence gets a certain number of years of resident 'funding', and after that is used up, it's not as likely to obtain further 'training'.

I can't find anything about that though, so I'm not certain.

How is the number of years of "funding" a person is given determined? Does anyone know any more about that?

 

[Dral]

I wish I remembered the source of that info. I believe it's based on the fact that residency salaries are covered by government money. I'm not remembering specifics though. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than I finds the thread.

 

[DermMatch]

One major issue the OP hasn't raised: Why do you want to switch into derm at this point?

It's not all about the numbers.

 

[kralwok]

this thread addresses the issues: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=575357&highlight=medicare+second+residency

as far as derm goes, there are some programs that will accept residents who have done a previous residencies. there are other programs that won't fund them. i have noticed that some derm programs post on their website that they will take residents who have already completed another residency, but i can't remember which programs they were...

 

[chef]

One major issue the OP hasn't raised: Why do you want to switch into derm at this point?

It's not all about the numbers.

i'm curious about this as well. as a FP, can't you see a majority of bread & butter skin path? i've heard that many non-board certified MDs do skin & even run cosmetic-type practices😕