So, question. I am an upper level resident with a hand injury that requires surgery. Unfortunately, it also requires 3 months of recovery - half of that time in a splint, and the ohter half with weight bearing and motion limitations. The ABOS and ACGME policies all mention 6 weeks of sick leave - but I wouldn't be totally out of work, just limited in my OR tasks (I can scrub and hold retractors one-handed, and I can also cut and sew once my splint comes off...). I'm trying to figure out if this means I'm required to prolong my training. Does anyone know of other residents who have had an issue like this? I can't wait until after residency because I'll lose my health insurance. Also, the injury is progressive, so if I wait until I'm a staff member sometime in the future, likely the surgery needed will be less successful. Thoughts? Stories? Advice?
