Sports Fellowships ranklist

[dbleagle]

Any opinions on the quality of the following programs-GOOD, BAD OR INDIFFERENT-would be greatly appreciated.

DUKE
WISCONSIN
SCOI
BAYLOR
HUGHSTON FOUNDATION (GA)
TRIA
METHODIST (HOUSTON, TX)
OHIO ORTHOPEDIC CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
HENRY FORD
BEAUMONT

[dbleagle]

209 viewings and only one reply. Come on folks, how about a little help for a brother......Would appreciate any info. Thanks. Happy holidays.

[OrthoDoc]

Is the match back in sports or only select fellowships?

[wnlevine]

There is a functional Shoulder and Elbow Fellowship Match which has been in place for 5 years (now done with a computerized algorithm analagous to the residency match). There are 32 fellowship positions in the match this year (with several more being added over the next several years). Some of these fellowship spots are exclusive "Shoulder", some are "Shoulder and Elbow" and several are "Shoulder, elbow, and Sports Medicine". Please refer to the ASES website to see all the available fellowship positions.

In addition, 52 Sports Medicine programs this year have agreed to participate in a "Gentlemen's agreement" match in which an offer can be made but the applicant does not have to answer until February 1, 2008. Dr. Chris Harner (U Pittsburgh) has helped to coordinate this effort along with many other interested fellowship directors. While we all know the potential perils of this arrangement it is certainly better than the utter chaos that has occurred the past several years with no match whatsoever.

Hopefully, with the leadership of the AOA, AAOS, and all the interested subspecialties, a universal fellowship match will become a reality in the not too distant future!

wnl

[crimeboss]

i have had some interviews with programs that have signed the "gentlemans aggreement". a couple of them have offered me a spot and told me that i did not have to let them know until february. however, i was told by the same directors that they would still offer spots to others. if someone else accepts before me then i would be out. is this acceptable? if so i think the aggreement is useless.

[wnlevine]

I am afraid that if history teaches us anything, all "gentlemens' agreements" will fail. For my own residents, I have counseled them to take a spot (if that's where they want to go) as soon as they possibly can. Without a functional match I'm afraid these "agreements" are doomed to fail. In the scenario you outlined you would be foolish not to accept the spot if that's really where you want to go.

As I understand the rules, programs are allowed to offer you the spot and you are allowed to accept it before Feb 1. If you do not accept it they are supposed to hold the position for you - therein lies the rub of course. From the program's perspective they may not only lose you from their "wish list" but also the next 3, 4, or ??? # of applicants on the list. This is what predictably leads to "unraveling" of the system.

I hope people do not misunderstand me because I am a proponent of a match and huge resident advocate and appreciate what Chris Harner and others have tried to do - unfortunately it looks like history will repeat itself once again until we have a formal match.

wnl

[Sisyphus]

I agree completely with Dr. Levine. His advice is also consistent with some of the information available at the AAOS web site about applying for fellowship. Namely, in the current incarnation of the process, if you are offered a position, and it is acceptable to you, it is in your best interest to take it.

I was offered a spot and accepted it, even knowing that I had several scheduled interviews left. In my estimation, I felt like the programs I had yet to visit would not be significantly "better" than the offer I had in hand. Different, to be sure, but not necessarily better. Also helping in my decision was the fact that I wasn't really holding out for a "dream shot" program.

Despite the "gentleman's agreement", it is still very much the wild west in the sports fellowship world. From what I have seen and heard, it is very easy to get burned if you don't play your cards carefully.

[olive]

dbleagle - i pm'ed you with what little i know about it.

[crimeboss]

Thank you Dr Levine and Sisyphus for your replies.

[chee68]

what programs i'm familar with are doing are putting out "feelers." They basically put the onus on the applicant to let the program know if they want to come there. That way they don't have to "offer" spots, therefore, locking those spots up basically until Feb. 1st (if the candidate holds out, so to speak).
I have had "pseudo" offers.....i.e, "we really like you, when would you be able to make a decision."
Probably send this out to top ##, and whoever says "I'll sign right now".....well, that's who is likely to get the spot.
It's pretty crazy really. Not fair to applicants who want to see other places before making a decision.
Those programs who do the "right" thing and actually "offer" spots, may be screwed come Feb. 1st. I can see their side too. that's why they need to just do a match, period.