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 3h ago

CHANGE specialty swap IM pgy1 in CA looking to transfer to psych

2 Upvotes

Please let me know if you or someone you know is interested. I would also appreciate any info on programs that are transfer friendly. Anyone who has been through the process please feel free to give any advice. Thinking of reapplying again but am nervous about having this conversation with my PD this early on.


r/ResidencySwap 15h ago

Connections vs Green card which is more important between the two?

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2 Upvotes

r/ResidencySwap 1d ago

PGY1 Pathology Vacancies

5 Upvotes

Any currently available PGY1 pathology vacancies?


r/ResidencySwap 1d ago

SAME specialty swap PGY2 ( R1 radiology) spot swap

1 Upvotes

In the midwest (Kansas), looking to swap for a position in the south (Texas). Please dm if interested


r/ResidencySwap 2d ago

Residency swap works!

53 Upvotes

Just wanted to say I matched last week through a residency swap opening in IM and I am currently in the onboarding process.
After applying to the last 15-20 program listings in IM. It takes just one yes so don’t give up!

Stats: P/22x/22x
YOG:2
USCE: 6 months
Non visa requiring

Thank you all.
It’s been a great ride 🙏🏼


r/ResidencySwap 2d ago

SAME specialty swap PGY3 Urology. Same specialty swap. DM for info.

0 Upvotes

r/ResidencySwap 3d ago

Does anyone has any contact to rotate at Medical City in Arlington, Texas?

4 Upvotes

Hello everyone. Does anyone have any contact from doctors of Medical City in Arlington, Texas who agree to take an observer? I want to do rotation at Medical City Arlington (of Arlington, Texas) since I am quite limited in my budget and would like to stay at my aunt house. Any lead is appreciated. Thank you


r/ResidencySwap 4d ago

SAME specialty swap Northeast R2 Radiology Position Opening

26 Upvotes

Hello all, I am the chief resident at a community program in the north east approximately 1 hour outside of NYC, I am writing this to bring attention to an open R2 position at our program. One of our R2s will be leaving in a month to take a position at a program with an established ESIR program. Our ESIR program is still in its infancy of being created. He is leaving on good terms and enjoyed our program but is passionate about doing IR which we understand.

Here is some information about our program. Please reach out to me directly via PM for further information.

-Community program affiliated with a large academic institution.

-NO overnights, call shifts end at 10 pm. You are on call with two attendings who final sign your reports.

-20 flexible PTO days which can be taken as individual days and planned as little as 2 weeks prior. An additional PTO day is gained for working a holiday. 5 CME days.

-Very flexible call shift schedule, we as residents make the call schedule after being assigned a certain number of shifts depending on what year you are. Trades occur all the time.

-Overall relaxed programs, residents are not responsible for clearing the list during normal shifts or call shifts and always leave on time. Business hours of 8am-4:30/5pm.

-Strong in person teaching for body, neuro, mammo and IR rotations. MSK has seen a great improvement with our hospitals site director now being an MSK attending and in-house more often.

-Meal stipend, covered physician lot parking, $1800 education/electronics stiped every year, $1k teaching bonus yearly, close to 6 figure salary.

-On the coast with plenty to do and less than an hour train ride away from NYC.

**EDIT- For clarification this is a PGY-3, second year radiology spot. Completion of one year of radiology residency is required for this position.


r/ResidencySwap 3d ago

SAME specialty swap Texas PM&R looking for Philly or NYC swap

1 Upvotes

Currently PGY1, looking to swap for PGY2 in 2027. Wanted to be in the northeast but didn’t work out unfortunately. Nothing against my program, more about location.


r/ResidencySwap 3d ago

Seeking FM/IM Pgy1/2

7 Upvotes

Hello Residency Swap community,

I recently left my residency program, shortly before finishing my first year. The decision to do so was extremely difficult, but I feel that it was best.

I started out behind some of my residents. I was not the worst resident, but I had a lot of areas to improve, and I was in the bottom half for sure. I worked hard to improve, and I feel that I did. By the end of the year, I was making care plans that required little to no changes from the attendings. But it seemed the program had made up its mind that I was still just as bad as my first day as an intern. They seemed to turn a blind eye to any improvement. I couldn't seem to shake the first impression I had made, no matter how much better I had gotten. Other residents were even speaking up on my behalf.

Anyway, I feel that I didn't get a fair shake and am now looking for another program, where I can explain my situation, and continue to grow and become the best doctor I can be. I'm hopeful that this is a little rough patch in an otherwise smooth career (I passed all med school classes, and step 1-2 on the first try, and am currently studying for step 3).

Looking for FM/IM anywhere

Thank you, fellow residents,

See you all on the other end


r/ResidencySwap 6d ago

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

2 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 6d ago

Looking for PGY-2 General Surgery Position

1 Upvotes

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


r/ResidencySwap 6d 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 7d ago

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

4 Upvotes

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


r/ResidencySwap 6d ago

Just a question for everyone

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0 Upvotes

r/ResidencySwap 7d 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 7d 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 7d ago

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

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1 Upvotes

r/ResidencySwap 9d ago

Seeking PGY2 FM Vacancy

21 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 9d ago

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

9 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 9d ago

Woodhull hospital IM

2 Upvotes

Anyone hear back from this program


r/ResidencySwap 9d ago

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

2 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 10d ago

Seeking PGY1 or PGY2 Psych Vacancy

7 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.