What's in a name?

[Mick Turition]

---

Members don't see this ad.

At one of my interviews, I just came out and said, "How would my training be better at this highly renowned institution?"

The response I got: "Well, it's certainly better to be at a top five place than the number twenty." (whatever that means)

Now that interviews are over and ROL's are being determined and submitted, I'm just curious how the "name game" is factoring in for people. I for one place a high priority on academic integrity (and fellowship options) and consider it crucial to really be happy with my placement. But I'm finding my favorite programs are not necessarily those with the biggest "names" on my list. Anyone else in the same predicament?

 

[Kalel]

I think that most applicants would agree with your thoughts on program selection. Your program's reputation does carry a significant amount of weight when it comes to getting into your fellowship, but residency is 3 difficult years in your life, and there's nothing worse then spending all of your time in a hospital that you hate for three years. Also, the fellowship match rate for mid-tier university programs is still pretty high; they may not be getting cards at MGH, but they are getting cards somewhere, so ultimately, it all kind of loses it's signficance after your training IMO.

 

[SoCalDreamin']

"Also, the fellowship match rate for mid-tier university programs is still pretty high; they may not be getting cards at MGH, but they are getting cards somewhere, so ultimately, it all kind of loses it's signficance after your training IMO."

In a way, I agree with this statement, but I can also see myself being taking the side of the devil's advocate.

Let's say one knows where he ultimately wants to practice medicine. For example, if one wanted to become a GI doc in Maine, he could take the approach of doing his IMED residency and GI fellowship at Maine Medical Center. He would build connections in Maine during those 6 years of training and then establish his practice there.

On the other hand, this individual could take a different approach to achieve the same goal. He could train at MGH in IMED and GI with the thought that he could land a job anywhere in the country (i.e. Maine), being that he is an MGH grad.

 

[Renovar]

Originally posted by SoCalDreamin'
"Also, the fellowship match rate for mid-tier university programs is still pretty high; they may not be getting cards at MGH, but they are getting cards somewhere, so ultimately, it all kind of loses it's signficance after your training IMO."

In a way, I agree with this statement, but I can also see myself being taking the side of the devil's advocate.

Let's say one knows where he ultimately wants to practice medicine. For example, if one wanted to become a GI doc in Maine, he could take the approach of doing his IMED residency and GI fellowship at Maine Medical Center. He would build connections in Maine during those 6 years of training and then establish his practice there.

On the other hand, this individual could take a different approach to achieve the same goal. He could train at MGH in IMED and GI with the thought that he could land a job anywhere in the country (i.e. Maine), being that he is an MGH grad.

if you want to do say academic GI, then route 2 gives you a more "gold-plated credential." For academic fellowships, they will look at your research and pubs during residency, and obviously residency name. In fact, it will be moot going to an academic fellowship (and to a lesser degree, residency for that matter) with pure private practice in mind.

but if you want to do heavy private practice GI, then it's more important to find a program you like and you fit, because you dont need a Hopkins GI fellowship to scope someone up the bottom in Podunkville, SC. In fact, connections is perhaps more important than the "name" game.

It has been a difficult problem for me too, because I have been a "name game" player all my life myself -basically going to the highest US News ranked college and med school up to now. It's hard to not feel "missed out" to just to let that slide a bit, but I have a feeling that I will end up at a non top-10 residency when it's all said and done.