R3
I'm struggling with whether to pursue R3 training in obstetrics and women's health. On one hand, it would be great to match to a program in the same city where Ben is living/working so we could be together and I could get to know the city/hospitals etc. On the other hand, I could probably just go get a job there post-graduation. My hesitancy with the "just get a job" route is that I don't feel prepared - but does anyone? I still have >6 months of residency left and I don't feel prepared to even make the decision but applications are due Oct 15 so I'd better get my ass in gear if I want to apply. Plus, applying would mean revealing to my program director and colleagues that I'm not planning on staying in the city I'm training in (which I would love to do if Ben could only get a job) - which will make a lot of people unhappy. But seriously, Ben and I cannot live apart for any longer!
8 comments:
The obstetrics R3 sounds really interesting, good luck deciding what you want to do. Is Ben living very far from you right now? Like, would it theoretically be possible to move to where he lives but commute to the place where you're currently doing residency for work? It must be just awful to be apart.
We live approx 1.5 hours apart. Ben lives about 15 minutes from where you live! I would consider doing an R3 from your university but in a community hospital.
Ah, no way! I've only been here a month, but so far all interactions with obs/gynae residents and staff as well as all the family medicine residents have been overwhelmingly positive. Absolutely everyone's been amazing actually and really passionate about teaching. I'm sure you'd love it here.
Good call on the community hospital thing. I've heard from upper years and residents here that in terms of learning obstetrics it is better in the community because the academic centres are amazing hospitals but there are just many many learners on L&D at any given time. The residents were telling me that a little town that starts with G but is not where you went to undergrad is quite good for obs/gynae.
I'm thinking of asking for a little down starting with Br... I did an elective there with the head of the obs/gyne residency program and really loved it.
after having done my entire residency in a community hospital, I don't think I could ever go back to an academic center.
Oh yeah, that little town is also lovely I've heard. Never been there, but hoping to do an emerg elective at that hospital actually.
Most of the docs in my group did not do an R3. I talked to one of the docs in my group who did (she did hers in Toronto) and she really used it mainly to get more experience in regular deliveries because her program was lacking in that respect.
If you are going to do low risk OBS I would vote for get a job and join a maternity group that has nice supportive people one of whom will agree to do back up call for you for the first 2 months you are out. The only reason to do an R3 is to gain specific skills that you wish to have, but don't and can't easily get on the job (TA's, culposcopy, fertility medicine for examples).
I think the hardest thing we do in medicine is making a call and standing on our decision, and it is really hard to get that experience as a resident no matter what your R# because the ultimate call is never simply yours to own....
Dr. J.
Honestly, I'm just impressed you have lasted this long being apart. I've recently spent a year away from my 5+year relationship and its been horrible! Good luck with your decisions,
-VH (a 2nd year med student who has found your blog enlightening...and slightly terrifying for what is to come : )
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