Why go to a good school?

[phillystudent]

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Here's a stupid question:

For someone who is planning on going into private practice, is there any point in worrying about getting into a top school for residency? Or does that just matter for getting an academic position?

 

[oldandtired]

For someone who is planning on going into private practice, is there any point in worrying about getting into a top school for residency?

NO. The majority of private practice radiologists did not go to top schools.


Or does that just matter for getting an academic position? Academic positions are not that competitive at this time.

 

[carDiO]

What about the importance of being in a residency program that will give you enough experience to be a successful, productive radiologist in the private practice arena? I mean is it not true that the "top schools" will most likely have larger hospitals with larger case loads, more equipment availability, and better* clinical instructors? (*see below)

What I have heard so far as an MSI is that you want to get into a residency that will allow you to see as much pathology as possible, no matter your field of interest. Is this accurate? Obviously these ?top programs? would offer that, whereas some of the smallest programs may have a much smaller case volume (a.k.a. less variations and quantity of pathologies) and lack some of the nicer equipment which one could argue would be especially beneficial to an education in radiology.

With that said there are likely many large non-?top? radiology residencies out there that are affiliated with equally large hospitals that also have high case loads and access to near the same caliber of equipment. I suppose the only difference would be the quality of clinical instructors. *However, you may not want a conceited "academic-type" physician that spends more time teaching and researching as compared to the professional private practice radiologist that day in and day out is reading images. It seems the experience of the latter may be greater as far as volume goes. But only if the latter is effective at relaying the knowledge acquired from his/her experience would that large non-?top? residency be a better choice over a "top program."

Since I too am interesting in pursuing radiology, I wonder if one of the more experienced posters could enlighten us, or at least give their opinion on the subject. Some specific questions that I pose are:

1. What kind of annual case volume would be ?enough? in regards to pathological variation in radiology?

2. What type of facilities should a residency have access to?

3. For myself, are there any of these large non-?top? programs in the DFW area? Which ones?

Please note that I am trying to see if one could become an equally proficient private practice radiologist by going to either a ?top program? or a large non-?top? program. If this is true, then it seems like the best option for those of us that do not want the stress of trying to get into a "top program" and don't care about the "prestige" of the training program. Please do not limit responses to addressing solely this issue, but do cover it.

 

[VentdependenT]

Finish step one up, land some rotations, and then worry about all this stuff. My buddy had lower than average USMLE's and he landed a ACGME rads spot in Chicago. On top of that he's a DO. Go figure. 🙂

That being said rotating and performing well somewhere as well as being an enjoyable personality can go quite a ways. So do local contacts as I've heard. Plan appropriately and go for it.

 

[musicman1991]

Go to the best program you can, be it academic or community. If you try your best and only end up in community who cares what the outcome will be? your life will adjust.

 

[Whisker Barrel Cortex]

Overall, much of radiology is self taught. You have to study outside of residency and formal teaching conferences no matter what. That being said, I have learned a great deal in conferences and while reading out from our attendings (university program in the midwest). I probably haven't done as much reading as I should, but have learned primarily from our great attendings, about half of whom love to teach (the other half are research gurus).

I think you could learn servicable at the vast majority of community radiology programs. It may mean you will have to study harder outside of work, including for written and oral boards. After all of that studying, your knowledge base should be commensurate with residents at university programs. One of the smartest and most efficient neuroradiology fellows at our program came from a community program. Very impressive guy.

In terms of looking for a position after residency, I'm not so sure of the effect of residency. I think it may help to be from a relatively well known program if you want to go to a larger metropolitan area, but probably not as much as some people think.

 

[radonc]

why go to a good school? so you can take advantage of the better (if not more) opportunities enhance your education. one doesnt need to always take the easy way out, if you want to go into private practive. my bro-in-law did his rads and fellowship at one the harvard hospitals and he is going into private practice rads. you get better education and you will get a better job.

 

[Molly Maquire]

You should keep in mind that going to a better school will make it more likely that you will even be able to GET a radiology residency.

I have a strong step one and am in the top 5% of my class, but I am a DO, so I only have three interviews so far. If I was an MD, I would have a better shot at a solid university program.