From the Guidelines
Yes, you can pursue a pediatric general surgery fellowship after completing a pediatric residency, but it requires completing a general surgery residency first. After finishing a pediatric residency (typically 3 years), you would need to complete a general surgery residency (typically 5 years) before being eligible for a pediatric surgery fellowship, which is an additional 2 years of specialized training 1. This pathway is less common because it requires a longer training period of approximately 10 years after medical school. Most pediatric surgeons instead complete general surgery residency first, followed by a pediatric surgery fellowship.
Key Considerations
- The advantage of doing pediatric residency first is gaining a deeper understanding of pediatric medicine and pathophysiology, which can enhance surgical care of children.
- However, this extended pathway requires significant commitment to training and may involve repeating some educational experiences.
- If you're considering this route, it's advisable to discuss your career goals with program directors early to potentially customize your training path and ensure all board certification requirements will be met 1.
Training and Certification
- A pediatric surgeon has completed a 5-year residency training in general surgery, plus a 2-year fellowship in pediatric surgery, and is certified by the American Board of Surgery 1.
- The American Board of Surgery now offers a subspecialty certificate in pediatric surgery that can be earned by those Diplomates of the American Board of Surgery who have specialized in pediatric surgery 1.
From the Research
Pediatric General Surgery Fellowship after Pediatric Residency
- It is possible to pursue a pediatric general surgery fellowship after completing a pediatric residency, but the competitiveness and requirements for such fellowships can be challenging 2.
- Studies have shown that the establishment of new pediatric surgery fellowship programs can lead to a decline in the pediatric surgery experience for residents in associated general surgery programs 3, 4.
- To be successful in matriculating to a pediatric surgery fellowship, applicants should have a strong research background, with a higher quantity of peer-reviewed publications and publications in high-impact factor journals 2.
- Attendance at a US allopathic medical school, university-based general surgery training, and training at institutions that offer pediatric surgery fellowships are also associated with successful matriculation 2.
- The type of research performed by applicants may not impact a program's opinion of candidates, and dedicated research time during general surgery may not be necessary 5.
Requirements and Competitiveness
- Pediatric surgery is among the most competitive fellowship opportunities for general surgery residents, with a low match rate compared to other surgical fellowships 6.
- Applicants who reapplied to pediatric surgery fellowships at least once had a 32% success rate, indicating that persistence and improvement in application materials can be beneficial 2.
- Program directors may prioritize applicants with a strong clinical and research background, as well as those who have demonstrated a commitment to the field of pediatric surgery 2, 5.
Career Development and Research
- Research experience is highly valued in pediatric surgery fellowship applicants, with a focus on peer-reviewed publications and high-impact factor journals 2.
- The timing of research experience can be altered for those interested in a research career, with some program directors suggesting that dedicated research time during general surgery may not be necessary 5.
- Surgeon-scientists may be better prepared for extramural funding if research experience is performed at the end of training, rather than during general surgery residency 5.