Finding the best open surgical residency positions

Each year in April, fourth year medical students crack upon their envelopes. For those fortunate few hoping to enter into open surgical residency positions, they will have to compete with hundreds of other similarly qualified applicants for the equivalent of several dozen slots. But isn’t that the life of anyone that’s made it to this point?

Amongst medical graduates from the United States (USGs), ortheopedic surgery was the hot pick for applications towards residency programs. This is a huge shift in focus for surgical residency programs (ERAS, 2014). While ortheopedic surgeons have held the top number of applicants per year, neurological surgery is becoming an increasingly popular option as well. Both tend to start in the upper echelons of income and have great forward momentum for leadership roles within major organizations such as the American Medical Association and Kaiser Permanente. After completing a residency in either field, these two surgical disciples are some of the most highly sought.

In the International Medical Graduate (IMGs) community, applicants vy heavily for neurological surgery residencies due to their high demand in the job market and opportunities to pursue both academic and private sector goals. But no matter where a student graduates, they will all have to closely follow a regimented program of residency that adheres to ACS/APDS surgical requirements.

The best open surgical residency positions will include a three tiered Phase system approved by the ACS/APDS. This phase system allows a good, steady progression that is steeped in hands-on experience in both the OR and the classroom. While the surgical resident will be predominantly dealing with laproscopy in the first two phases, Phase III will be where the surgical resident truly begins to be involved in patient health decisions.

Ultimately, even as the open surgical residencies at the different learning hospitals and institutes fill up – it’s important to remember that at first glance, the position’s teaching surgeons are only evaluating interviews, transcripts, and the personal statement. Every world class surgeon has had to stand in the position of the prospective surgical resident. Thus, it’s best to get in early on what open surgical residencies are available and align with the medical graduate’s interests. Phase III is still a long way away.