University programs are thought to be the most desirable. Then you get university-affiliated programs. Lastly you get community programs. However some people prefer community programs over university programs due to the patient population and the greater psychopathology. Of course these are generalizations. I found the community programs in California to be highly desirable compared to the community programs in the New York area.
Geography is another variable. Some great programs are in terrible places. The reverse is true as well. This is a huge factor in the competitiveness of a program. For example Northern California is extremely competitive. So is the Raleigh research triangle in North Carolina (Duke and UNC.) One horse towns (Mobile, Alabama and Jackson, Mississippi) and inner city slummy locales are usually more IMG friendly.
Another variable is if the program is IMG friendly and visa friendly. A good gauge to this is to look at where the current residents come from. Although many disagree, often a way to measure how good a program is to see the % of US grads. Of course ultimately finding an ideal program is to see which one fits you.
Also some programs emphasize psychotherapy (especially the psychoanalytical type) and others don't. Most programs will say they are well balanced between being biological and psychological. There is not too much leeway as there are minimum requirements set by the ACGME. However I noticed differences.
Some programs have many research opportunities. The 2 types of research are clinical and basic
science. Clinical is more common. Basic science research in psychiatry usually entails expensive equipment.
2 comments:
Regarding the fact that we can judge a prog whether it is IMG friendly or not by seeing its current and past residents, I have one Q, I wanna apply to EM, and I see hardly any IMGs in this field, then how do I decide that which ER prog is likely to accept me ?
that is a tough question. maybe look at the location and the prestige of the university and hospital. i would hang out at sdn forums and ask this question.
also don't forget as back up to apply to family. u can do a fellowship in ER care afterwards. this may not be the same as doing an EM residency but probably the closest.
Post a Comment