Taking QE after PGY4?

[yeahbuddy127]

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I am currently a PGY4; Im applying in transplant this cycle.

We just got an email from our PD stating that starting this year, the ABS would allow residents who had completed PGY4 to take the QE (i.e. July 19 of 2016). My PD thought it would be a good idea if we are otherwise prepared but was curious to hear other peoples thoughts. I have done well on my ABSITES thus far.

I'm just thinking it'd be one more thing out of the way; chief year would also be pretty nice since the fellowship match for transplant is in June and if I was done with QE (hopefully) in July, there'd be less stress chief year.

 

[ACSurgeon]

I haven't

I am currently a PGY4; Im applying in transplant this cycle.

We just got an email from our PD stating that starting this year, the ABS would allow residents who had completed PGY4 to take the QE (i.e. July 19 of 2016). My PD thought it would be a good idea if we are otherwise prepared but was curious to hear other peoples thoughts. I have done well on my ABSITES thus far.

I'm just thinking it'd be one more thing out of the way; chief year would also be pretty nice since the fellowship match for transplant is in June and if I was done with QE (hopefully) in July, there'd be less stress chief year.

I haven't heard of this, but it sounds appealing. If nothing else you'd split the exam fees a little bit.

 

[SLUser11]

I am currently a PGY4; Im applying in transplant this cycle.

We just got an email from our PD stating that starting this year, the ABS would allow residents who had completed PGY4 to take the QE (i.e. July 19 of 2016). My PD thought it would be a good idea if we are otherwise prepared but was curious to hear other peoples thoughts. I have done well on my ABSITES thus far.

I'm just thinking it'd be one more thing out of the way; chief year would also be pretty nice since the fellowship match for transplant is in June and if I was done with QE (hopefully) in July, there'd be less stress chief year.

Pros and cons exist. If you pass it, then it makes complete sense. If you fail, it's a whole other story. Also, the larger gap in between your QE and your CE may impact your ability to pass the CE.

Currently, I believe this approach is best for all-stars only with very high ABSITE scores. If you fail, there is a large impact on your program's published first-time pass rates, which PDs follow very closely...especially when from a small program.

Looking into the future, however, I believe the ABS is trying to hint at something LARGER that will occur regarding the structure of our training....

 

[doc05]

Looking into the future, however, I believe the ABS is trying to hint at something LARGER that will occur regarding the structure of our training....

absolutely. but the QE is easy and getting it out of the way helps you get a start on prepping for the CE. And if you're doing a tough fellowship, like transplant, it means one less demand on your limited time.

 

[thedrjojo]

I am currently a PGY4; Im applying in transplant this cycle.

We just got an email from our PD stating that starting this year, the ABS would allow residents who had completed PGY4 to take the QE (i.e. July 19 of 2016). My PD thought it would be a good idea if we are otherwise prepared but was curious to hear other peoples thoughts. I have done well on my ABSITES thus far.

I'm just thinking it'd be one more thing out of the way; chief year would also be pretty nice since the fellowship match for transplant is in June and if I was done with QE (hopefully) in July, there'd be less stress chief year.

Another aspiring transplant surgeon on Sdn!

Applications open in less than 3 months... Next week I start my transplant rotation (pgy4s are chiefs without a fellow, so we are surgeon junior for the liver transplants...)

 

[jasb66]

Pros and cons exist. If you pass it, then it makes complete sense. If you fail, it's a whole other story. Also, the larger gap in between your QE and your CE may impact your ability to pass the CE.

Currently, I believe this approach is best for all-stars only with very high ABSITE scores. If you fail, there is a large impact on your program's published first-time pass rates, which PDs follow very closely...especially when from a small program.

Looking into the future, however, I believe the ABS is trying to hint at something LARGER that will occur regarding the structure of our training....

Bump. I'm a current PGY4 who has done extremely well on ABSITEs so I am looking into this. Test would be July 18, 2017. Any experiences out there?

I am a little confused by the requirements contained here: http://www.absurgery.org/default.jsp?certgsqe_pgy4

I have never logged cases as "Surgeon Chief" well because I am yet to become a PGY5 - can I log chief cases as PGY4? It seems to me that yes, because then no pGY4 could ever fulfill the 150 chief year cases requirement.

What are the seven categories within critical care?

And, lastly, what the heck are these operative and clinical assessments?

• 750 total operative cases, including 150 chief year cases
• 25 cases in surgical critical care, with one in each of the seven categories
• 25 teaching assistant cases
• Current or past certification in ACLS, ATLS and FLS
• Six operative and six clinical performance assessments

 

[ACSurgeon]

Bump. I'm a current PGY4 who has done extremely well on ABSITEs so I am looking into this. Test would be July 18, 2017. Any experiences out there?

I am a little confused by the requirements contained here: http://www.absurgery.org/default.jsp?certgsqe_pgy4

I have never logged cases as "Surgeon Chief" well because I am yet to become a PGY5 - can I log chief cases as PGY4? It seems to me that yes, because then no pGY4 could ever fulfill the 150 chief year cases requirement.

What are the seven categories within critical care?

And, lastly, what the heck are these operative and clinical assessments?

• 750 total operative cases, including 150 chief year cases
• 25 cases in surgical critical care, with one in each of the seven categories
• 25 teaching assistant cases
• Current or past certification in ACLS, ATLS and FLS
• Six operative and six clinical performance assessments

I can elaborate later, but I looked into this briefly:
- you can log surgeon chief cases as a PG-4 IF your program gets approval from the ABS to count certain rotations as chief rotations during fourth year.
- you have to have met all the graduation criteria by the time you apply
- the seven CC categories you can find in your ACGME log (vent management, hemodynamically monitoring etc). You can log those from your CC rotation or any rotation where you have ICU patients that are in the unit for 48 hours and you feel like you critically cared for them
- the operative and clinical assessments are eval forms to be filled out after certain operations or any clinic. Our program distributed those three or four years ago and you just ask an attending to fill it out