life after payback

[peggyfromwastate]

Thanks Jenn- We did notice that the Allergists are based at some of the smaller medical centers, though, and that is one OF MANY specialties my husband may possibly be interested in. In fact, at this point he's really only ruled out OB/GYN- he says because he doesn't like the hours, but I think it's b/c he was grossed out/freaked out by the birth of our twins! Oh well...

Thanks again!

Peggy

[mommax3]

Thank your lucky stars he has ruled out OB/GYN......

Sally

[peggyfromwastate]

Isn't it odd how babies seem to prefer entering this cold bright world during the middle of the night??? I feel for you, sally!

Peggy

Peggy,
I haven't logged on in a while, so I may repeat some of the advice you have already received, but I will try to add some new insites. In response to your concern about being promoted out of practicing medicine I do know that fairly early in a military docs career you decide if you want to go "career" tract or "command" tract. If you choose "command" tract they are certain extra courses and requirements you pursue during your career. If you choose "career" tract you may limit yourself and far as rank (usually to O6), but you will practice medicine. I should say that this "Choice" is figurative. My husband has no desire to pursure a "command" tract and therefore; hasn't pursued avenues that would lead in that direction. Even the surgery dept. heads he has worked continue to practice surgery.
As to your question about retention in the military--I know it is a problem in surgery because the offers from the civilian world tend to be very tempting. Often time the best educators are lured away leaving the younger, less experienced docs teaching the residents and new staff docs. We haven't been in a situation where there were staffing shortages due to retirements, but I do know that if the situation is critical they will pull reservists in to cover staffing or "borrow" from other institutions (I know this isn't always the case, but this was done in Germany).
As far as having your husband work some before starting payback--it doesn't happen--if he is working for the military he is paying back!! The chances of getting a staff position at the med center where he does his residency is not impossible, but it is highly unlikely. The reason being is that most residencies are done in large medical centers. Staff positions at these hospitals are coveted. Therefore a fresh residency graduate would be competed with more experienced docs for these positions. The better option would be to have him do a GMO on the same base--probably working in the troop med. clinic or some similar setting. Another option is to see if his chosen residency has an optional research year. This would extend his residency by one year since one year would be dedicated solely to research.
I hope this helps.

[peggyfromwastate]

Thanks Shiela- That's helpful information! It really makes sense to me that military docs, if they desire, wouldn't have trouble staying in the clinical setting rather than working towards higher than O-6 rank. I imagine it's pretty competitive to climb the ranks much higher than an O-5. My parents are really good friends with a retired AF/Navy doc who's complaint was that he wasn't promoted above an O-6. This seemed to be a big deal to my mom, but for me that's totally logical. Not everyone can be promoted, right???

Anyway, as far as the Pharmacy thing, if it happens at some point, that's great. Otherwise I have a Chem degree and there are always jobs in the Chemistry field, especially near medical facilities and what not. I'm not too worried about that kind of stuff. Pharmacy is 4 years of school, and so if I ever want to cross that bridge, I'll worry about it then. For now, I just want to get through the next four years! Plus, I'm not sure I'd want to be in school while my husband's in residency. Since residency is pretty intense, I can imagine that me being in school would just be an added stress on the kids.

Thanks for all the input-

Peggy