Transferring in from FM?

[DaveinDallas]

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This question may have been asked before but I didn't see it in the FAQ and it didn't pop up as a previous title....

I'm currently finishing up my intern year at a University FM program. Let's just say that inpatient medicine (all 3 months of it) just isn't my thing....I had strongly considered EM but in the end, my board scores weren't going to win me any interviews...

I'm starting my EM rotation tomorrow and briefly talked with one of the chiefs today. I've worked with her getting a patient admitted to our service during this last year and we hit it off. I asked about transferring in as an FM puke and she said they had two current transfers in their intern class....gave me some hope. She said to make sure to work it into the conversation with the attendings I work with without seeming like a droid.....

Can anyone out there speak to how transfer are judged when it comes to filling a seat in an incoming class? I figure it's probably real program specific and this is one of the biggies in the south....they wouldn't even let me do an audition rotation as a student because of my scores...how much do those weigh in for transfers with one year under their belt?

 

[EM_Rebuilder]

Read on here on how to be an Allstar. Be as good or better than half their Emergency Interns and you might have a chance...

Even then, another big issue is funding for your position.

Be an allstar and get make some great connections/possible LORs. Be VERY open minded of EM somewhere else, if not at that place.. look for the new programs starting up. Start watching for 'openings' although you only could get up to 6 months of credit.

You did not say how 'bad' your scores were. If you failed something, I think its to the point of near impossible to match into EM. If your scores were 'low' it might be possible with the above... One way or another, its going to be lots of luck and a long shot...

Good luck!

 

[Groove]

What he said, also keep in mind that if worse comes to worse... you can always do an EM "fellowship" after your FM residency and work in some community ER's if you really enjoy EM. I know we all feel biased about this FM fellowship track, but it's a reality. One of my good friends is doing that route this year because he likes working in the ED and will probably be able to carve out a decent career. Though he more than likely won't be working at any trauma centers and won't be as well trained.

That being said, I think there's some logistical issues here worth considering. I mean, it's already July 1st, so if they had an open slot that you were interested in filling, you should have pursued this several months ago. I don't see how you'd have a shot at filling a spot until next year, in which case your best bet is going through the match again. At that point you've only got 1 more year to go to finish your FM residency which almost begs you to finish it out so you can at least get boarded in FM. You're in a hard spot. Good luck.

For the record, in general... I don't think changing residencies is ever a very good idea for various reasons.

 

[DaveinDallas]

Read on here on how to be an Allstar. Be as good or better than half their Emergency Interns and you might have a chance...

Even then, another big issue is funding for your position.

Be an allstar and get make some great connections/possible LORs. Be VERY open minded of EM somewhere else, if not at that place.. look for the new programs starting up. Start watching for 'openings' although you only could get up to 6 months of credit.

You did not say how 'bad' your scores were. If you failed something, I think its to the point of near impossible to match into EM. If your scores were 'low' it might be possible with the above... One way or another, its going to be lots of luck and a long shot...

Good luck!

Thanks for the info...never failed a board exam. Just hit right below the national average on both COMLEX 1/2. Again, not a rock star at boards but those exams made me want to play 'May I buy a vowel please, Pat?'.....

So far it's been great. For the first time in a while, I'm excited about and look forward to going to work. The place where I'm at is great and good environment.

I have thought about being at the end of PGY2 in FM next year. I'm prepared to have to start all over if I have to....

 

[danzman]

Thanks for the info...never failed a board exam. Just hit right below the national average on both COMLEX 1/2. Again, not a rock star at boards but those exams made me want to play 'May I buy a vowel please, Pat?'.....

So far it's been great. For the first time in a while, I'm excited about and look forward to going to work. The place where I'm at is great and good environment.

I have thought about being at the end of PGY2 in FM next year. I'm prepared to have to start all over if I have to....

Since you mentioned the COMLEX, are you at a DO program?

 

[ozzi22]

Since you mentioned the COMLEX, are you at a DO program?

Do MD students take comlex? you suppose to know this since you are med student 😕

 

[TeamZissou]

Do MD students take comlex? you suppose to know this since you are med student 😕

Just because he took the COMLEX and is a DO doesn't mean he is/isn't at a DO program for residency.

 

[Groove]

Just think about it over the next few months and if you're religious...pray about it. Scrapping a chance at finishing such a versatile specialty as FM when you are 2/3rd's way done and starting completely over just doesn't seem logical. It's only 1 more year at that point, why not finish it so you can be dual boarded and maximize your future career options? You're ready to write off a specialty after only 1 years exposure as an intern. The only thing I've heard you complain about is in patient medicine which you don't even have to be involved in as a FM doc. That being said, I think your primary hurdle is going to be funding. You'll be trying to match into a competitive specialty without your full Medicare DME funding.

 

[danzman]

Do MD students take comlex? you suppose to know this since you are med student 😕

Are you serious? DOs can do either MD or DO residencies with a COMLEX score. Perhaps "you supposed to know this". Depending on the type of program the op may have different hurdles to deal with. I love how the Internet makes everyone ten feet tall and invincible.

 

[deuist]

What is it about emergency medicine that you specifically enjoy? If you hate inpatient rounds, you're certainly going to hate spending six months in the intensive care unit during an emergency medicine residency. If you more prefer the urgent care setting where you see patients for colds, scratches, and sprained ankles, you can certainly complete your family medicine residency and work in a walk-in clinic and never do inpatient work again.

Since you've only completed one year of the family medicine residency, you will not be allowed to "transfer" into an EM program. You'll have to start all over as a PGY-1 and may not receive any credit for the work you've done so far.

Others have already mentioned hurdles with funding that you will come across. Another issue is the inherent bias against other specialties. There seems to be this thought process that if you've been trained in something else, you will be difficult to train in emergency medicine. I'm not saying that such a belief is true, but I have heard it from more than one attending.

Finally, as EM becomes more and more competitive, residents who wish to switch specialties will find that they need outstanding grades, board scores, recommendation letters, and maybe even publications. If you really want to go into this field, you need to make some contacts now so you can start getting rec letters and research experience.

 

[Hamhock]

Since you've only completed one year of the family medicine residency, you will not be allowed to "transfer" into an EM program. You'll have to start all over as a PGY-1 and may not receive any credit for the work you've done so far.
Finally, as EM becomes more and more competitive, residents who wish to switch specialties will find that they need outstanding grades, board scores, recommendation letters, and maybe even publications. If you really want to go into this field, you need to make some contacts now so you can start getting rec letters and research experience.

Although I agree with the intent and most of the substance of deuist's post, I want to point out that PGY 2-4 programs still exist (yes?) and certainly there are PGY 1-4 programs that will take a previously-trained resident on as a PGY2. Of course, EM docs must complete 36 months of EM training, but this can be manipulated in PGY 1-4 programs and does not require a resident to start as a PGY1.

Yes, this is a picky - likely insignificant point - but not to be missed.

HH

 

[deuist]

You can "match" into a PGY 2-4 program, but it's not a transfer. I am unaware of any 1-4 programs that will take a family medicine resident as a PGY-2. Perhaps you know of one that I don't.

 

[Hamhock]

You can "match" into a PGY 2-4 program, but it's not a transfer. I am unaware of any 1-4 programs that will take a family medicine resident as a PGY-2. Perhaps you know of one that I don't.

I know of more than one.

HH

 

[JuniorDoc]

I know of more than one.

HH

I'm very interested in EM (including Peds EM.) Would it be possible to apply to a 2-4 EM program following a Peds residency or a pediatrics preliminary year?