FAQ's for returning GMO's

Frequently asked questions by returning GMO’s from the Fleet who plan to apply to Emergency Medicine.

• I have been a GMO for over three years. What is the American Board of Emergency Medicine policy on breaks in training greater than 36 months?

“Interruptions in training may not exceed 36 months at any one time in order for the earlier training to be considered towards fulfilling the Board’s eligibility criteria.” Therefore, interns who go on to complete tours of duty greater than 36 months as general medical officers, flight surgeons, and/or undersea medical officers, will need to repeat their internships. Ref: Policy on Emergency Medicine Training Requirements dated May 2016*, available at https://www.abem.org/public/docs/defaultsource/policies/policy-on-emergency-medicine-residency-training-requirements.pdf?sfvrsn=22

• I did not complete an emergency medicine internship. How much credit toward completion of my emergency medicine residency can I receive for my non-emergency medicine internship?

The American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) allows a maximum of six months of credit towards emergency medicine residency training for individuals who completed between 12 and 24 months of training in another residency program. No credit will be awarded for residency training less than 12 months. Obtaining this credit requires an application to ABEM. Ref: Policy on Credit for Training in Other Specialties dated February 2016*, available at https://www.abem.org/public/docs/defaultsource//policies/4-2-115-credit-for-training-in-other-specialties58D77E50FBFD

• I completed part of a non-emergency medicine residency program. How much credit can I receive toward emergency medicine residency training?

The American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) allows a maximum of 12 months of credit towards emergency medicine residency training for individuals who completed greater than 24 months of training in another residency program. Obtaining this credit requires an application to ABEM. Ref: Policy on Credit for Training in Other Specialties dated February 2016, available at https://www.abem.org/public/docs/default-source//policies/4-2-115-credit-for-training-in-otherspecialties58D77E50FBFD

• If I have to repeat part of my internship, does this extend my obligated service?

Yes. For residents who have to repeat 1-6 months of their internship, their obligated service will be extended 6 months. For residents who have to repeat 7-12 months of their internship, their obligated service will be extended by one year. Ref: Navy Medicine Professional Development Center

• If I completed a general medical officer, flight surgery, and/or undersea medical officer tour and have to repeat my internship, will I have to complete another general medical officer, flight surgery, and/or undersea medical officer tour after the repeated internship?

No. Residents who have returned from general medical officer, flight surgery, and/or undersea medical officer tours and are repeating their 12 month internship are designated as ‘R1 resiterns’ by the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED). R1 resiterns are accepted for the duration of their residency training and do not need to reapply for PGY-2 residency training positions. Ref: Navy Medicine Professional Development Center

• If I have to repeat my internship, will I have to reapply for a PGY-2 emergency residency training position during my repeat intern year?

No. Residents who are repeating their 12 month internship are designated as ‘R1 resiterns’ by the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED). R1 resiterns are accepted for the duration of their residency training and do not need to reapply for PGY-2 residency training positions. Ref: Navy Medicine Professional Development Center

• I am a general medical officer, flight surgery, and/or undersea medical officer who will be out of training for greater than 36 months at the time I will be starting my PGY-2 residency training. I am only interested in emergency medicine and am not applying for any other specialty. Do I apply as a PGY-1 applicant or as a PGY-2 applicant in the Medical Operational Data System (MODS)?

You would apply as a PGY-2 applicant in MODS. For the purpose of the emergency medicine residency selection, the emergency medicine program directors will designate you as a ‘R1 resitern.' When entering your application into MODS, select ‘resitern’ (preferably) or ‘residency’ for your application category. Ref: Navy Medicine Professional Development Center

• I am a general medical officer, flight surgery, and/or undersea medical officer who will be out of training for greater than 36 months at the time I will be starting my PGY-2 residency training. I am interested in both emergency medicine and another specialty that will not require me to repeat my internship. Do I apply as a PGY-1 applicant or as a PGY-2 applicant in the Medical Operational Data System (MODS)?

You would apply as a PGY-2 applicant in MODS. For the purpose of the emergency medicine residency selection, the emergency medicine program directors will designate you as a ‘R1 resitern.’ This does not affect your application in non-emergency medicine specialties. When entering your application into MODS, select ‘residency’ for your application category. Ref: Navy Medicine Professional Development Center

*Navy Emergency Medicine leadership has requested an exception to policy for both of these two ABEM policies. At this time, both requests for these exception are being considered by the Board.

Please contact us with any further questions.