Should I fast track?

[BCqueen]

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Sorry if this is a repeated question, but I did a search and could not find a recent thread.

I am currently a PGY3 resident in Psychiatry and I have always known that I wanted to do Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. I am currently planning on fast tracking, however at times I have second thoughts about it. Will I be missing out on training if I skip my PGY 4 year and fast track to Child Psych?

I asked several people about it this past year, and the general consensus was that unless there is something you want extra training/experience that one wanted during 4th year, then stay and do one. Otherwise you are likely not missing much and if you want to get started with working with children then fast tracking is a good idea. Is this true? What are some of the pluses and minuses of fast tracking?

Thanks for the response!

 

[OldPsychDoc]

Sorry if this is a repeated question, but I did a search and could not find a recent thread.

I am currently a PGY3 resident in Psychiatry and I have always known that I wanted to do Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. I am currently planning on fast tracking, however at times I have second thoughts about it. Will I be missing out on training if I skip my PGY 4 year and fast track to Child Psych?

I asked several people about it this past year, and the general consensus was that unless there is something you want extra training/experience that one wanted during 4th year, then stay and do one. Otherwise you are likely not missing much and if you want to get started with working with children then fast tracking is a good idea. Is this true? What are some of the pluses and minuses of fast tracking?

Thanks for the response!

PGY4 is for electives, "seasoning", leadership development, and transitioning to attending-hood. You can do all of that in CAP1 & CAP2, especially if your bent is toward child. Likely CAP1 will be tougher, work-wise, than PGY4--but not to the degree that it's worth the opportunity cost of the extra year (exception: you're planning to be pregnant and want a really chill year).

 

[maranatha]

I agree with OPD.

I fast tracked this year and just started my fellowship in July. I was a little concerned that I would miss important training by fast tracking in regards to pharmacology and therapy (CBT and IPT). However, now that I'm in child, I'm still learning tons about pharmacology and therapy (albeit with a bent toward child). Thus far, I don't regret it at all and am glad I didn't wait.

In my opinion, if you know you want to end up in child, then I see little downside to fast tracking. I think waiting a year is best for those who are less certain or have some specific reason to complete another year in adult.
Some would argue, however, that if you want to split your future between adult and child, that getting the extra year of adult can be helpful.

Obviously, this just just my opinion and you'll have to think about what works best for you.

Good luck! 🙂

 

[OldPsychDoc]

I agree with OPD.

I fast tracked this year and just started my fellowship in July. I was a little concerned that I would miss important training by fast tracking in regards to pharmacology and therapy (CBT and IPT). However, now that I'm in child, I'm still learning tons about pharmacology and therapy (albeit with a bent toward child). Thus far, I don't regret it at all and am glad I didn't wait.

In my opinion, if you know you want to end up in child, then I see little downside to fast tracking. I think waiting a year is best for those who are less certain or have some specific reason to complete another year in adult.
Some would argue, however, that if you want to split your future between adult and child, that getting the extra year of adult can be helpful.

You don't think dealing with your patients' parents counts for that?!? 🙄