Yeah the Brigham is just not known as a clinically rigorous program. It loves to produce people who can research the crap out of stuff but of the Boston programs is felt to produce less strong clinical people than MGH.
My experience with Brigham trained guys/gals have run the gamut from one of the worst doctors I have met to stellar. In comparison I have universally found that Every Duke person I have met has been very strong (and I have met a lot).
This isn't to say you can't be the shiz if you go to the Brigham. Perhaps they only take the scrubs from the Brigham where I am.
This is anecdotal and a bit silly. My disclosures are that I was a BWH resident, did subsequent training at BWH and MGH, and am no longer in Boston.
1. The notion that
everyone at BWH should be "clinically phenomenal" doesn't hold true. Our bottom 20% is no different than the bottom 20% at other great programs. The difference is that our clinical "bottom 20%" tend to fall there not because they're not incredibly bright, but mostly because they are incredibly brilliant and productive at something else (research, global health, etc...) and dedicate most of their time to that passion.... or they just want to cruise.
2. I really like MGH, but there is an adage associated with their residency: "Always confident, not always right." Their bottom 20% can also be bad. Ask an MGH resident if there are scientifically brilliant, but clinically poor residents in their program -> they'll be honest.
3. Having trained at both MGH and BWH, the clinical top 80% at both places are pretty stellar. The programs just have completely different feels (which have been discussed to no ends on this board). BWH is more focused on cultivating "leaders in medicine," irrespective of what you want to do (basic science, clinical research, policy, global health, business, startups). If you google recent residents, their output is unbelievable... many don't stick with the traditional "academic medicine" paths. MGH is more focused on traditional academic paths, though that is changing with Katrina Armstrong.
4. It's REALLY hard to get an interview at BWH. They only interview 200 individuals, and it's because the admissions committee goes over applications with a fine-tooth comb (reads everything in detail, calls colleagues who knows applicants). Their selection process is hell-bent on picking individuals who are 1. The "best" at their respective medical schools, 2.
Really nice, friendly, easy to work with people, 3. and have another passion/interest that distinguishes them (that "future leader" quality). BWH has over the past 5-10 years been the program of choice for HMS students (when I applied, the vast majority of students that wanted to stay in Boston ranked BWH #1), which is relatively telling.
5. Individuals that did residency elsewhere and then come to a new institution for fellowship and complain about the residents is old news. This is probably further exacerbated at BWH, since many individuals don't get an interview there for residency.
6. We match incredibly well. Our PD advocates for us like crazy, and we love him for it. And to some extent, it might be the reason some individuals who aren't necessarily strong (and would be filtered out, coming from another residency program) still get into fantastic fellowships. If you go to BWH, you'll likely have your choice of fellowships. That is just not the case at other places being discussed (i.e. Stanford). This past year, 90% of BWH residents got their #1 choice for fellowship. There is no selection bias either - they interviewed at super competitive programs.
Here is the
2016 match list for competitive specialities.
GI - BWH(2), Michigan (1)
Cardiology - BWH(3), Duke (1), Stanford (1), Cleveland Clinic (1), Columbia (1), Penn (1), NW (1)
Oncology - DFCI (6), MD Anderson (1), MSK (1), Stanford (1), Penn (1), UCSF (1), Yale (1)
Pulmonary - Penn(1), UCSF (1), BWH (2)
Bottom line, be skeptical of statements like "all residents from here are fantastic." The best programs in the country all still are capable of producing clinically weak residents (even Duke!). Try to be objective in your assessment of programs: 1. Talk to current residents and recent graduates, 2. Understand what opportunities you will have at a given program to develop your interests, 3. Look at match lists (and be skeptical of ones that are heavy on the home institution), 4. Understand the role the administration plays in supporting your career development and advocating for you (our PD is incredibly committed to this).
I
absolutely loved the Brigham for residency, for so many reasons other than just clinical rigor. You'll be hard pressed to find a BWH graduate who is not enamored with their experience. Feel free to PM me with questions.
. UM,UMaryland, UMinnesota, UVermont ... all good programs so really just comes down to you on that. Monte is a good program but it is in the Bronx. A good 45 minute subway ride to get into the city. Just my 2c
