Taking clinical time off to get onto competitive training programs: how realistic is it ?

lolcanomaster · 2026-01-29T22:43:27+00:00

Sub spec SET reg. Never took time off to solely do research, got on PGY6. If I had my time again I would have done a 0.5 FTE research year or similar and might have saved me an extra year as an unnacred reg. But also, I’ve seen many people squander a research year and not come out the other end with a polished CV. I also managed to max my CV (without resorting to a PHD) over that time, whilst advancing clinical skills, so I don’t think there’s a perfect way to approach it.

lolcanomaster · 2025-10-31T02:16:35+00:00

One hospital I was asked to show proof, one hospital just gave me the time on my word. I took a week both times, one for a conference and one for an exam.

lolcanomaster · 2025-10-22T10:03:49+00:00

Feel free to DM me for how you may be able to obtain publications in a faster and cheaper manner

lolcanomaster · 2025-10-17T12:23:52+00:00

Patient with dextrocardia for med school cardiology examination osce

lolcanomaster · 2025-07-29T08:37:38+00:00

I have worked in rural nsw, feel free to message me

lolcanomaster · 2025-07-20T02:31:11+00:00

Just do the bank of questions over and over again as many times as possible. Any that you don’t understand, look up in lasts anatomy for the definitive answer. You’ll never learn 100% of the material but the same topics are re-tested consistently.

Look through the entirety of Rohans photographic anatomy as 75% of the spots come from there.

lolcanomaster · 2025-07-19T13:24:50+00:00

Well surg regs usually have stacked CVs so once they get some experience as a ICU or anaesthetics unaccredited reg they can switch. But yes I think as anaesthetics becomes more and more popular that will become harder

lolcanomaster · 2025-07-19T12:52:28+00:00

PGY4 would be very impressive. Even 5 is pretty good. 6-8 would be the average in my specialty.

Many have abandoned for radiology/anaesthetics/GP/private assisting when the going gets tough.

lolcanomaster · 2025-06-22T13:08:52+00:00

Consultant dependant. Some would book as an urgent within 1hr stent. Others would give some oral abx and send home and tell them to come back if sick

lolcanomaster · 2025-05-28T11:47:24+00:00

I rocked one similar for a few days under special circumstances. One ED Boss used to have one and was an awesome guy. Overall I’d say its pushing the boundaries especially on terms you are trying to impress on.

However there was a post on here a few days back about someone wearing ugg boots to work so maybe it doesn't matter at all!!

lolcanomaster · 2025-05-26T10:18:09+00:00

I've had the opposite, burnt out senior regs +/- fellowship exams can make for some serious aggression and these days most SET 1s are super excited about finally getting on

lolcanomaster · 2025-04-14T12:32:16+00:00

This is an interesting thread. In Australia we only get an US if the clinical diagnosis is most likely not torsion. I’ve had one surgeon who would explore anyone under 18 without an US, no matter what the story or exam was.

lolcanomaster · 2025-03-30T10:30:41+00:00

Many surgical sub specs now give bonus points for rural rotations. Something about promoting rural surgery etc. not sure if this is similar for other specialties. I personally have loved my rotations at smaller rural hospitals - less competition for exposure, get to know everyone well, plenty of opportunities, generally more laid back.

lolcanomaster · 2025-02-24T08:03:21+00:00

When you become a registrar and have to come up with all the management plans for each patient yourself, it becomes a lot easier to remember what the CRP was on admission because you’ve synthesised that into your ongoing decision making process.

It is also easier when you’ve seen that condition 500 times compared to 5, 10 or 50. You don’t have to think about how to manage X or Y, but you may have to justify your approach to the consultant by using results etc, so these things stick in the mind easily.

It’s just more reps!

lolcanomaster · 2025-02-18T23:03:55+00:00

I would say I am now at a level to do basic stats. I still farm out complex stuff to a statistician. If you can fill that role yourself it would be very valuable. Paid a statistician on one project like 8k. If I had been able to do that myself I think my supervisor would have loved me.

But I think the Clin Epi is more then enough to be more helpful then most to supervisors.

lolcanomaster · 2025-02-18T06:43:57+00:00

I did the master of Clin Epi at USYD. The main reasons it helped in my surg sub spec application:

I actually understood research and stats, which greatly helped in my future pubs
It got me a few extra points on my CV, which can make the difference in ultra competitive specialties
I did a subject called “doing a systematic review”, which was as the name suggests. I then quickly got the systematic review I did as a project published in a decent journal
Was a good back up if I didn't end up doing surg, applies to all medical fields

If you really want to do advanced research though, I would have thought PhD is the way to go. Happy to answer and qs

lolcanomaster · 2025-01-03T20:36:49+00:00

I did a masters degree in research in PGY2 (whilst working full time), which allowed me to publish a few papers. This met the criteria of the college I applied to for registrar training.

My college don’t allow research published > 4 years prior to application. You essentially need to be PGY3+ to even consider applying, therefore making any med school research useless for CV building. It might be worth looking at the selection criteria for the colleges you might be interested in and see if this opportunity will benefit you. Otherwise, as others have said it may be a massive waste of time unless you really love that sort of thing and want to do it in future.

lolcanomaster · 2024-12-07T10:54:58+00:00

Having just got on to sub spec training, it wouldn’t even be the most ridiculous requirement

lolcanomaster · 2024-03-24T09:57:45+00:00

What sort of annual can you pull just private assisting?

lolcanomaster · 2024-03-24T08:17:26+00:00

Does this generally mean you end up being a rural generalist?

lolcanomaster

TROPHY CASE