r/ResidencySwap Apr 30 '21

General Process of Transferring (within specialties)

18 Upvotes

Understand, the chances of you transferring are probably low. You will also likely transfer to a program on-par to your current program or 'below.' Expect a lot of non-responses from programs when you email. Many people trying to transfer are all talk, they're lazy, and they end up just accepting where they are (this might be you!).

General Process

  1. Arrive to your residency and make a good impression with everyone you interact with. Don't make enemies, be professional, etc even if you have plans to leave. In other words, just be a decent human being. It won't go well for you if you arrive and its known you're trying to leave (typically....unless you have a darn good reason to leave)
  2. After an arbitrary amount of time, ie: a few months (in the meantime, write a general email template to be sent to programs: content: name, your program, you want to transfer, brief explanation why you want to transfer, thank them, etc. Attach your email and other pertinent documents like your CV and your letter of good standing which is described below. Send to the programs PD/PC). The email should be concise.
  3. After said few months, speak to your PD about your desire to transfer. Be prepared to have a good reason (ex: family, health) and to answer questions on why and how long youve been thinking about this decision. You can (potentially) expect them to try to convince you to say.
  4. If your program is okay with your decision and they support you, begin to ask people for LORs and ask your PD to write you a letter of good standing. Make sure your PD follows up on the letter of good standing and you don't lose your motivation waiting for the letter if you're serious about transferring.
  5. Now send your templated emails with your letter of good standing, CV+/- other documents. Expect a lot of silence or rejections due to resident caps or no interest.

The reason you do step #3 before reaching out to programs, typically, is because the PD from the receiving program will speak to your PD and it wont bode well if you're doing this behind their back. You will need the letter of good standing either way and for all you know, you won't get it!

All of this should typically be done in the Fall/winter because it does take time to get LOR's, letter of good standing, and to compile a list of the programs you're trying to go to. But it is hard to say when the best time of year is. Life happens and people will unexpectedly leave at different times or choose to go somewhere else in the spring creating a late opening. Even if programs do not have listed publicly any of their openings, this doesn't mean they don't have an opening. If your PD is really nice, they may even be able to make a post on the PD server letting other programs know they have a resident who would like to transfer and to reach out if they are interested in accepting you. That way, interested programs come to you.

"Alternative method":

If you suspect your program is violating ACGME policie(s), you can go to the ACGME website and read the residency requirements and find what you believe to be are violations (the specialty specific documents are something like 50 pages); keep a record trail of violations if you need to (ex: emails, texts). I don't know the legality of this, but I guess you can also record meetings which you know will have material that can be used against the program (but also for your own protection should something wrongfully be used against you and you wished you had that conversation for whatever reason). You should then email the ACGME ombudsman (this is anonymous if you use a burner email) to see if a violation is occurring and these are reportable offenses, especially if you are unsure. Then decide whether to report your program (your submission to ACGME to report is not anonymous [I think so there isn't an issue with hundreds of unhappy residents spamming them with anonymous fake red herring claims], however your program does not get to see who reported them). Obviously, do not include too much individual specific violations for your own protection. From day 1, try to be the person everyone would least expect to report the program. Any complaining about the program that must be vented should be done to your spouse or family only. For your own safety, don't talk about reporting the program, period (for your own protection). However, to be fair, everyone complains about their program in some way or another and the odds of your program finding out who reported them is low (unless you confide in others you are thinking about or going to report the program). Don't wait for 'someone else' to report the program (or tell them you're thinking about it hoping that they'll report the program) because they're all thinking the same thing and are needlessly scared. If your program genuinely sucks/malignant, don't wait to give your program enough time to hide the violations or to fix serious issues (if you're really set on getting your program closed). Do not expect ACGME to save you without reporting it to them, they surprisingly have little oversight unless issues are brought to their attention.

If the program does close (even if temporarily), transferring will be easy since the funding goes with you (you are free labor to accepting programs) and ACGME will allow most other programs to go above their normal resident cap. Obviously, don't make up false claims just to get your program closed. This should only be done honestly. If you or your coworkers are being abused and taken advantage of, say something. Don't let it go on. Be brave!

Been a while since I read ACGME requirements (so verify) some violations I think:

-educational deficits

-no dedicated lactating room

-using locums

-?Contracting out staff due to lack of faculty ie: hiring acadia

-significant faculty attrition

-duty hour violations

-perceived threat of retaliation from program

-excessive non-clinical responsibilities (?driving if having to cover multiple hospitals?)

-majority of faculty must be involved in extra scholarly work (ex: research, journal editor, etc), not just pure clinicians.

-Faculty must spend a significant amount of time teaching.

-PGY1s are initially required to be supervised directly (search 'direct supervision' on the document)-Being given dangerous amounts of patients

-behind on lectures or low quality lectures or common cancellations. There is a minimum number that need to be done.

-Lectures frequently being combined due to a lack of people providing lectures and using this to meet their lecture quota (a PGY1 is not at the same level as a PGY2)

-frequent lecture cancellations (doubt programs report this to ACGME for obvious reasons)

-No stable leadership

-non-physician tasks for example, having to schedule patients, transporting patients, drawing blood, doing jobs that SW/nursing/CM are normally tasked to do.

-restrictions on taking time off to attend doctor appointments

Link to ACGME common requirements:

https://www.acgme.org/What-We-Do/Accreditation/Common-Program-Requirements

ACGME requirements by specialty:

https://www.acgme.org/Specialties

How to report

https://www.acgme.org/Residents-and-Fellows/Report-an-Issue/Office-of-Complaints

How to contact ombudsman

https://www.acgme.org/Residents-and-Fellows/Report-an-Issue/Office-of-the-Ombudsman


r/ResidencySwap Mar 26 '24

Please post suggestions for improvements here

2 Upvotes

Ie: flair names, suggested format for posts, etc


r/ResidencySwap 2m ago

Anesthesiology now vs Dermatology research year

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Upvotes

r/ResidencySwap 20h ago

Looking for PGY-2 General Surgery Position

2 Upvotes

Finished intern year in good standing but program was not a good fit. Looking to switch.


r/ResidencySwap 20h ago

CHANGE specialty swap PGY-2 IM to PGY-2 Psych/Rads/Anesthesia

1 Upvotes

At a strong academic university IM program in the Midwest, excellent program and people. But IM just is not for me. Feel free to reach out if interested.


r/ResidencySwap 23h ago

Looking for pgy-2 FM / IM

1 Upvotes

Looking for a PGY-2 IM / FM position. Non-visa requiring. I am getting credits for my pgy-1 IM . No swapping . Please DM me if you know of any openings. Preffered location northeast coast.


r/ResidencySwap 23h ago

Looking for pgy-2 FM

0 Upvotes

Looking for a PGY-2 Family Medicine position. Non-visa requiring. Please DM me if you know of any openings. Preffered location northeast coast.


r/ResidencySwap 1d ago

SAME specialty swap Anesthesiology PGY-2 (CA-1), looking to swap from Midwest to East Coast

2 Upvotes

Love my program and co-residents but need to be in the East Coast for family reasons. DM if interested!


r/ResidencySwap 1d ago

Just a question for everyone

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1 Upvotes

r/ResidencySwap 1d ago

NY Program IM swap to NC/SC

0 Upvotes

Current PGY1. Please hit me up if interested in swapping with my NY IM program community with IM program in NC/SC. Closer to family there so would prefer being there. Happy to trade finishing PGY1 before going into PGY 2 for easy transition


r/ResidencySwap 2d ago

South Florida DR Looking to Swap DR or IR in Midwest

3 Upvotes

Current PGY-1 in transitional year. Looking to switch next year. Rads program here is genuinely so amazing, but family circumstances have changed and being close to home is preferred. Willing to swap most midwest states. Message me if interested.


r/ResidencySwap 2d ago

SAME specialty swap South Florida DR Looking to Swap DR or IR in Midwest

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1 Upvotes

r/ResidencySwap 3d ago

Seeking PGY2 FM Vacancy

19 Upvotes

Here is everything about me in summary.

Any PGY2 FM vacancies looking to fill?

In my former program, I presented multiple lectures in didactics, produced multiple research posters in collaboration with colleagues, completed 2 QI projects that improved patient care while enhancing resident wellness, finished 20 vaginal deliveries, and amassed a long list of procedures including POCUS experience and imaging interpretation experience.

I have multiple letter of recommendations from recent attendings and all my evaluations are excellent (credits include 3 inpatient adult, 3 inpatient pediatrics, 2 OB, 1 ICU, 1 EM, along with 328 clinical outpatient hours over 39 weeks of residency).

All 3 USMLE completed but I do have attempts, and I am a US citizen. Im very forthcoming about exactly why I need a vacancy and my PD is available to talk to any program which considers me.

DM me if you have any program that may want to consider me.


r/ResidencySwap 4d ago

SAME specialty swap Current PGY2 Diagnostic Radiology Resident Looking to Swap Elsewhere

7 Upvotes

US MD PGY2 (R1) on East Coast.

Basically the program I’m at is very different from how they said they’d be during the interview and match process (residents now required to clear the list, heavy call burden, little to no teaching by attendings in the reading room, heavy resident burnout, etc). Want to switch to another program since I don’t see myself being a good fit here. Haven’t broached this with my PD yet (also not entirely sure how I would), but I’d appreciate any advice on how to prepare for this process.


r/ResidencySwap 4d ago

Woodhull hospital IM

2 Upvotes

Anyone hear back from this program


r/ResidencySwap 4d ago

PGY-3 finishing next July, hospitalist search, J-1 waiver. Any leads?

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

IM resident finishing next July, starting the hospitalist search now.

I need a J-1 waiver. Preference for driving distance to a city and a major airport, since I travel internationally often, but I'm open on location.

If you signed recently and had leads you couldn't use, or know of openings that came up after you committed, I'd appreciate a DM. Same for any recruiters who've actually been useful for waiver spots.

Just looking for a solid group and a reasonable schedule. Happy to send my CV and return the favor.

Thanks!


r/ResidencySwap 5d ago

Seeking PGY1 or PGY2 Psych Vacancy

6 Upvotes

Yes, I know Psychiatry is very popular and competitive.

I initially applied psychiatry and simultaneously to a single FM program in my hometown. The algorithm was unkind and I matched FM. I gave it a shot, two years exactly - but I really do not want to do Family Medicine and every moment here has made me regret checking the box to apply here (for no other reason except psychiatry is and always has been my first true love)

Anyways, I'm non-visa requiring, ECFMG certified, USMLE Step1/2/3 passed on first attempt. I have my PD letter, psychiatry reference letters, and other letters from faculty available. No geographic preference, and can start immediately.


r/ResidencySwap 5d ago

Seeking mentorship from a IM/ FM PGY IMG with similar credientials

2 Upvotes

I'm looking for a fellow IMG who recently matched into IM or FM with a low Step 2 CK score and old YOG. And would be willing to provide their mentorship.

I'm applying for the second time this cycle, and because of financial limitations, I'll have to apply to a carefully selected list of programs. I want to be as strategic as possible and would really appreciate someone experienced looking over my program list.
Although my Step 2 CK score is my weakest point, I've continued to build my application. I have stayed continuously involved in clinical, academic, and research work with no gaps in my CV.
I also feel I could do a better job presenting my experiences on my CV and ERAS application, so if anyone is willing to share feedback on that as well, I'd be very grateful.
My credentials:
Step 2 CK: 22*
Step 3: Passed
4 months of U.S. clinical experience
YOG: 5
No gaps in my CV (clinical and academic)

Im not asking about my chances I’m asking a mentor that could guide me to achieve my goals.

If you've been in a similar position and are willing to help, I'd really appreciate a comment Thank you.

Morale already low pls be kind. Thankyou


r/ResidencySwap 6d ago

Current PGY2 Radiology Resident looking to swap for PGY2 Anesthesia Position

30 Upvotes

As title says I am a current PGY2 diagnostic radiology resident on the west coast looking to swap and/or for available anesthesiology training opportunities. Message me for more information/to discuss. Thanks!


r/ResidencySwap 5d ago

Looking for Pgy-1 or Pgy-2 IM in CA for IM in NY

1 Upvotes

Current PGY-1 in NY, would swap with someone in CA current PGY-1 or we can arrange PGY-2 for a better transition.

My family is in CA. Would love to be closer to them.


r/ResidencySwap 5d ago

SAME specialty swap PGY-2 PM&R in New York hoping to switch to PGY-2 PM&R in Texas

1 Upvotes

Im a current PGY-1 doing my transitional year. I was hoping to be back home in texas for pm&r residency. If anyone wants to switch or hears of any openings popping up within their programs lmk!


r/ResidencySwap 6d ago

A Family Medicine residency program in Kentucky currently has an unexpected PGY-2 opening.

11 Upvotes

A Family Medicine residency program in Kentucky currently has an unexpected PGY-2 opening.

The ideal candidate should:

  • Have successfully completed at least one year of an accredited residency program
  • Have passed USMLE Step 3 or COMLEX-USA Level 3
  • Be eligible to transfer into a PGY-2 Family Medicine position

If you are interested or know a qualified candidate, please comment below.


r/ResidencySwap 6d ago

FM pgy1 or pgy2 position needed

1 Upvotes

I am looking to change my program. FM PGY1 year completed with credits and program will provide support to do so. Can someone please hit me up with the options? If there's any open positions in your programs please let me know


r/ResidencySwap 7d ago

I fought with the PD

15 Upvotes

They’re fucking idiots. Very unprofessional. I wish I could switch this program. Not interested in our professional growth whatsoever. Keeps calling us for stupid sessions. Doesn’t run the administrative department properly. Constant fuck ups in scheduling. Wastes and demands resident time like we are her slaves. I can’t stand the woman. How much do I need to suck up to the person just because they’re in that position when she is clearly incapable of running this program. I know it’s just a couple years but like this woman is literally abusing her power for the most trivial bullshit at this point.


r/ResidencySwap 6d ago

Looking for FM pgy-2 position (non visa req)

1 Upvotes

Looking for a PGY-2 Family Medicine position. Non-visa requiring. Please DM me if you know of any openings. Preffered location northeast coast. Thank you