Transferring to FP from IM?

[prokuror4]

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Hi everyone.
Can anyone offer some info on transferring INTO FP out of IM?
The reason I am asking is that I am two months into my IM residency and have realized that I made the wrong choice. What I actually wanted to do all along is practice primary-care medicine but was influenced by classmates and others to pursue a much more “lucrative” career in one of the subspecialties of IM. I realized that I do NOT want to be a resident/fellow for 6 years only to come out and go right back to the hospital-based subspecialty practice. Or worse yet, not go into a sub-specialty fellowship and stay on as a hospitalist.
As an FP doing primary care in the community setting I think I would be better equipped to handle this kind of patients. Anyone that walks through the door – that sort of thing. As well as being able to do the kind of procedures that my IM program would cringe at the thought of allowing me perform during residency.

My question is: would I still be able to become a PGY-2 in FP after doing the first year in IM? I know you have ob/gyn and surgery months in the first year and so I would not have completed them by the end of the first year. (I just don’t want to dishonor the IM contract signed for PGY 1). In your experience, has anyone known people who transfer for second year and if so, what was the procedure?
THANKS for the help.

 

[Imhotep]

Hi Prokuror:

Yes, It is doable. I personally know of two people who switched from IM to FP (to be close to their spouses) after completing their intern year in IM. Whether or not you get full credit for your pgy1 year depends on the FP program director, but both of my friends were able to get full credit.

As a suggestion, you should take one or more of your current attendings in confidence and discuss your reasons for wanting to switch, as you WILL need letters of recommendation.

If you get any elective time, try to do a rotation or two in surgery, women's health (OB), peds etc.

There are quite a few unfilled pgy2 spots in FP every year, so you shouldnt have difficulty getting a position next year. The geographical location may be a limiting factor.

PM me if you have further questions

 

[deleted87716]

We had a couple of IM residents transfer into my FM program when I was a resident. It's totally doable, and you can probably still finish in three years. Talk to your program director.

 

[RuralMedicine]

Hi everyone.
Can anyone offer some info on transferring INTO FP out of IM?
The reason I am asking is that I am two months into my IM residency and have realized that I made the wrong choice. What I actually wanted to do all along is practice primary-care medicine but was influenced by classmates and others to pursue a much more "lucrative" career in one of the subspecialties of IM. I realized that I do NOT want to be a resident/fellow for 6 years only to come out and go right back to the hospital-based subspecialty practice. Or worse yet, not go into a sub-specialty fellowship and stay on as a hospitalist.
As an FP doing primary care in the community setting I think I would be better equipped to handle this kind of patients. Anyone that walks through the door – that sort of thing. As well as being able to do the kind of procedures that my IM program would cringe at the thought of allowing me perform during residency.

My question is: would I still be able to become a PGY-2 in FP after doing the first year in IM? I know you have ob/gyn and surgery months in the first year and so I would not have completed them by the end of the first year. (I just don't want to dishonor the IM contract signed for PGY 1). In your experience, has anyone known people who transfer for second year and if so, what was the procedure?
THANKS for the help.

Obviously I haven't done this so I don't have inside information but I would think the first step would be to determine if there is an FP program at your current institution and if this FP program is one you would be comfortable training in. If this is the case you may be able to work something out where you use your IM intern electives to do an OB or Peds month(s) to facilitate the transfer at the end of PGY1. As far as starting as a PGY2 coming out of IM I think that largely depends on how the FP program you go into is set up. I have friends in FP programs where as upper levels they run a mixed service (ie OB/Peds/Adult patients) obviously this scenario would be difficult for you to do coming in from IM with no OB or Peds exposure. Other FP programs are set up so the FP teams are more fragmented and a separate team does OB care or does Peds care etc. In this scenario you might be able to do some supervisiory months coming in from IM (just not on the OB service etc). Good Luck

 

[NuMD97]

From what I've seen, a lot depends on whether the program is an unopposed program or if there are other residencies at the same hospital training along side of you.

An unopposed program most likely would not take you as a second year, because they would need you to be able to commandeer all aspects of FM as well as the junior residents.

How much credit you would be given depends on the new PD and then that program director petitioning the FM board in Kentucky to allow for it.

The usual case scenario from what I have seen is a PGY-1 year with advanced standing, with the number of months credited depending on the generosity of the new PD.

I would suggest you call a few FM programs and present your case. Feel them out and see what they say. After a few calls, I believe that you would have a better idea of where you stand.

One last thing: you most likely don't have to go through ERAS again.

Good luck!

Nu

 

[secretwave101]

Totally do-able. Lots of places will work with you if you can prove you aren't a punk 😀

You'll probably be able to finish at the same time as everyone, but you'll need to see what transfers and what's doesn't.

Another thought is to contact programs now. It may not be too late to transfer into a program in Jan. Then the difference between the two programs will be even less than they would after a full year.

 

[prokuror4]

thanks guys...
I am filling out the ERAS as we speak.
I cannot wait.
Although, there might be a problem if I would need LORs from my current program. Didn't make too many "friends" here, if you know what I mean
🙄
would be ok if I could just go on my LORs from med school , the ones I used in last year's application.
either way.
no looking back now!

 

[Imhotep]

Pro:

I dont understand why you are going through ERAS....most FP programs looking for pgy2 wont require that...unless things have changed in the last few years 🙂

Also, AAFP has a 800 number, call them and get it ASAP. it is a clearing house for all unfilled pgy2 (and rarely pgy3) positions. There might be spots available right now that you could potentially join in the next few months...if you really want to transfer, you might save some time by being aggressive. PM me if any specific questions remain.

Good luck

 

[Vox Animo]

Hi everyone.
Can anyone offer some info on transferring INTO FP out of IM?
The reason I am asking is that I am two months into my IM residency and have realized that I made the wrong choice. What I actually wanted to do all along is practice primary-care medicine but was influenced by classmates and others to pursue a much more “lucrative” career in one of the subspecialties of IM. I realized that I do NOT want to be a resident/fellow for 6 years only to come out and go right back to the hospital-based subspecialty practice. Or worse yet, not go into a sub-specialty fellowship and stay on as a hospitalist.
As an FP doing primary care in the community setting I think I would be better equipped to handle this kind of patients. Anyone that walks through the door – that sort of thing. As well as being able to do the kind of procedures that my IM program would cringe at the thought of allowing me perform during residency.

My question is: would I still be able to become a PGY-2 in FP after doing the first year in IM? I know you have ob/gyn and surgery months in the first year and so I would not have completed them by the end of the first year. (I just don’t want to dishonor the IM contract signed for PGY 1). In your experience, has anyone known people who transfer for second year and if so, what was the procedure?
THANKS for the help.

ask pandabear 😀 😀 😀

 

[deleted87716]

ask pandabear

Um...no. PB transferred out of FP, not into it. He is also having to repeat his intern year in EM; he did not start as a PGY-2. Different situation from the OP entirely.

 

[Vox Animo]

Um...no. PB transferred out of FP, not into it. He is also having to repeat his intern year in EM; he did not start as a PGY-2. Different situation from the OP entirely.

its was a smart @ss comment, not meant to be taken sersiously. I wrote it because my first glance at the op's statemtn, i thought she said em.

come on people, stay on top of things.

 

[8744]

Um...no. PB transferred out of FP, not into it. He is also having to repeat his intern year in EM; he did not start as a PGY-2. Different situation from the OP entirely.

But the IM program where I interviewed as a "backup" did promise to give me six months credit for some of the FM rotations I did like medicine, cardiology, MICU etc. although I'm not sure how they would have worked it out in practice. Presumably the OP could finish the program early because some IM rotations translate to FM. On the other hand the RRC might have stringent rules about who can be advanced to PGY-2 and this might entail getting a certain amount of peds, OB/Gyn, and FM which the OP does not have.

 

[prokuror4]

so, no ERAS?
should I fax all my paperwork to the programs directly?

I actually phoned a couple programs (in which i am most interested) qnd I never got a reply...
my stats are rather comtetitive but they never even called me back to ask about them.

so I am wondering if I am not better-off just applying though ERAS and explaining my case at interviews... what do you guys think? I would rather avoid the whoke ERAS/Match oredeal if I could though... Tanks.

 

[secretwave101]

FindAResident - It's like a couples matching service for potential residents and programs with open spots. They're legit...it's through AAMC. Should really help you.

https://services.aamc.org/findaresident/

 

[prokuror4]

Well, it’s been well over a week since I submitted my ERAS and I only got one invitation for an interview so far. Starting to worry, since this time last year when I applied for IM I ha quite a few invitations (about 1-2/day). My stats are rather decent (USMLE and so forth), so that is probably not it. Could it be that I am currently doing a year of IM? I don’t see how that could hinder my chances, but I just don’t know what to think anymore. 😕 Or is it that the NY/NJ programs start the process later?
If anyone has any idea… please let me know.
Thanks.
😉

 

[secretwave101]

Just chill.

A month from now you'll remember that you were antsy after a week and laugh...at yourself. The invites will come in. Quit "watching the pot" for the water to boil 🙄 .

 

[lowbudget]

I know of an intern who signed with a program outside the Match, which is an option for you. I don't know how it's done, but you can ask.