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about preliminary positions

Submitted by drjenny on Mon, 01/19/2009 - 22:42
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Dear sir, I have some confusions regarding the preliminary positions offered by various programs. I know that these are one year programs only and are mostly required by specialties like anesthesia, PMR, radiology etc. I can also see these positions open while applying for specialties like IM, FM, pediatrics etc . Suppose if I land up getting a preliminary position in INternal medicine, what should I mention as my area of specialty in PGY-2 year. Also does being a preliminary intern in IM guaranty my PGY-2 position in IM in the same University/hospital or not. If I want to do my residency in anesthesiology, does working in the preliminary position internal medicine help me ?Or do I have to apply to preliminary position in anesthesiology department itself in order to get the residency position. Also is the work experience as preliminary intern counted as my year of residency. Please bear me with my confusing questions and help me get a clear idea about it. Thank you so much for your continuous support.
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Hi, Preliminary positions

Submitted by prab on Thu, 01/22/2009 - 23:52.
Hi,
Preliminary positions are, as you mentioned, required for some residencies such as Anesthesia, Ophthal, ENT, Radiology etc. They are usually more competitive to get than the categorical at most programs even though that can vary. If you are one of those that chose both tracks on ERAS, and if you end up matching for the prelim, you would need to find a PGY2 position on your own. While it is doable, the best option would be to go for the categorical if that is what you want. There is no gaurantee that you will have a PGY2 position vacant for you at the same program for you as that depends on whether that program will have an extra PGY2 seat for you. If you want to apply for one of the spcecialties that do require prelim, you can choose that specialty for PGY2. IF you do not have any other interest, you can leave that as internal medicine. Frankly, you should only apply to Categorical since programs do not like people applying for both. Yes, PGY1 prelim counts as any PGY1. It does not take an year off of the specialties that require the Prelim as prerequisite. All the best.
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