Practicing in the civilian world after HPSP service

[Astrophysics]

Hello all,

I have been reading up on the HPSP and I noticed that many people mention how HPSP is not attractive because after medical school, specialists don't get paid as much as they would in the civilian world. After some research, I see that this is mostly true (please correct me if I'm wrong).

I had a few questions, however:

1) Why can't a physician who just completed his/her service years making a lower salary simply apply for and work in the civilian world after those years are over. Is there anything preventing him/her from doing this?

2) Are the specialties really that much more determined by the Army or whichever organization you are signing up with?

3) What are the most common specialties for the Army? I am considering surgery. Would I have a difficult time being placed into residency for this specialty?

I would greatly appreciate the help. I am considering the HPSP but I would like to have some of these questions answered in order to better understand what my options are after the required years of service.

Thank you.

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[Gastrapathy]

1) In general, military physicians are readily employable after they leave the service. These aren't always going to be the best jobs or exactly what people want but there will be a job. For some specialists, the lack of cases and subsequent skill rot is a barrier.

2) They can't make you train but they can limit options.

3) Too much is changing to answer this. You also may change your mind (more likely than not).

 

[IlDestriero]

1. Nothing limits you much, but you may have significant skill atrophy depending on how and where you completed your payback. One way to avoid this is to do a fellowship as a civilian as I did. Starting an academic career might be potentially more difficult after the .mil, but that depends on a lot of variables.
2. They may not need or even have the specialty that you want to pursue which can delay your progression. You can usually get around that by paying back your time and getting out for civilian residency lor completing the sub specialty fellowship after you completed your obligated service.
3. Can’t say. But sometimes fields are easier or harder to match into in the .mil than the civilian world. That is unpredictable.

 

[Astrophysics]

Thank you so much for your options. I appreciate it.

I had a question about service years: are the years spent in residency considered part of your service years, or are the years post-residency considered part of your service years?

 

[colbgw02]

Thank you so much for your options. I appreciate it.

I had a question about service years: are the years spent in residency considered part of your service years, or are the years post-residency considered part of your service years?

Yes.

Assuming you're on active duty, which most people are, for your residency, then those years count for pay, promotion, and retirement. You do not pay off any obligation while in residency.

Once you're out of training, then you also start paying off service obligations, like from HPSP, residency, ROTC, USMA, etc.

 

[InagStudentCICOM]

Hello all,

I have been reading up on the HPSP and I noticed that many people mention how HPSP is not attractive because after medical school, specialists don't get paid as much as they would in the civilian world. After some research, I see that this is mostly true (please correct me if I'm wrong).

I had a few questions, however:

1) Why can't a physician who just completed his/her service years making a lower salary simply apply for and work in the civilian world after those years are over. Is there anything preventing him/her from doing this?

2) Are the specialties really that much more determined by the Army or whichever organization you are signing up with?

3) What are the most common specialties for the Army? I am considering surgery. Would I have a difficult time being placed into residency for this specialty?

I would greatly appreciate the help. I am considering the HPSP but I would like to have some of these questions answered in order to better understand what my options are after the required years of service.

Thank you.

Have you already applied? Is it too late to change your mind and switch to the Navy? I'd love to tell you all the reasons why.