What type of prelim position?

[Scrofula]

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I'm attempting to match into Radiology starting in 2003. As you all know Rads requires a year of medicine, transitional, or surgery first. My question is whether it really matters whether I do a "cushy" residency or a more hard-core one.

For example I interviewed at one transitional program where the interns routinely carry no more than 3 or 4 patients and get out no later than 3:00 every day. Obviously the educational value isn't so great. At other medicine prelims the schedule is a lot more hectic but I would see more of a variety of patients and learn more bread and butter medicine.

Has anyone heard any wisdom on this topic? How important is a prelim in becoming a competant radiologist, ophthalmologist, etc.? Thanks!

 

[Voxel]

Conventional wisdom from advisors (radiology attendings) is go to a place where you learn as much as you can, but are shielded from almost any scut. However, conventional wisdom by residents in radiology has been to do as cushy a program (least hours) as possible. There was overlap and people taking the other side, but this has been the general trends in thoughts among people with two different perspectives. I guess we will not truly know until we finish residency. Good luck in the radiology match this year. Maybe we will bump into each other on the interview trail.

Personally, I want the best educational experience, with the least amount of scut, even if I am worked a bit harder. Having talked to senior residents and attendings, the written radiology boards has Harrison's written all over it. You must take this with a grain of salt because about 90% pass the written board the first time (not oral boards) even the ones who did a cushy residency. You have to decide what you want out of residency and life.