Need support during your medical training journey? Β Check out these resources for free, confidential support:
peer support for physicians and medical students:Β Physician Support Line
Email Tune Rx founder J.C. Sue at:tunerx97531@gmail.com
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There is no denying that in the U.S. there are fewer residency program slots than there are applicants, so as you go through the match process, you might be tempted to accept a training opportunity from any program willing to take you.Β Β While the match process is extremely competitive and completion of residency (or at least an intern year) is necessary if you want to practice clinical medicine, the program you go into can have a major impact on your future as a physician.Β Β You want a program that gives you the training you need to work toward your personal career goals.Β Β Though all programs in your chosen specialty should give you the training you need to be eligible for board certification, not every program will necessarily cater to all areas of interests within your chosen field.Β Β For example, some family medicine programs may more heavily emphasize inpatient medicine, while others may have more opportunities for practicing sports medicine or osteopathic manipulative treatment.Β Β I highly encourage you to think about what characteristics your ideal residency program would have so you can give yourself the best chance of getting into a program where you will be truly happy.
As you look at programs you might want to apply to, here are some questions to consider:
Do I prefer an opposed or unopposed program?
Do I prefer a smaller program or a larger program?
How supportive is the program of the needs of residents with families (if that applies to you)?
Will this program provide me opportunities to serve the types of patients I am passionate about serving?
Is this program located in a geographic area that is desirable (or at least tolerable for a few years) for my family and me?
Answers to such questions will differ between people.Β Β The important thing is to figure out what the answers are for you personally, as program characteristics that work well for someone else might not work as well for you.Β Β I encourage you to get to know programs as well as you can, especially during any audition rotations you do, so you can make informed decisions as you build your program rank list.Β Β If you need help, feel free to send an email to tunerx97531@gmail.com for free assistance.