Resident and Fellow Policy Manual

Appendix 1 - Changing Residency Programs by SMH Residents:

1. It is recognized that residents may change their career plans during their residency. When such changes occur, we expect residents to honor the full year of commitment to their originally chosen residency program. In addition, as soon as a resident is very seriously considering changing training programs, he or she should notify the current Program Director so that the maximum possible lead time is allowed for that program’s planning and recruitment.

2. Program Directors who have agreed to accept into their programs current residents in other SMH residencies should also respect the concept that commitments should be honored for the full year.  Only if both the affected Program Directors agree should a different timetable be used.

3. Program Directors should not actively seek to recruit residents from other SMH programs to their residency. However, when there is reason to believe that there is mutual interest, exploratory contact may be appropriate.  Residents considering a career change should feel free to obtain advice and counsel from any faculty member.  If and when such discussions move to consideration of action regarding career change, early notification of the current Program Director is strongly recommended; preferably, both the involved resident, AND the discussant/confidante/advisor should contact the home Program Director.  Any SMH program Director considering acceptance of a transferring resident from another SMH program should inform the home Program Director in a timely fashion, irrespective of when the proposed change is to take place.  All reasonable efforts should be made to honor prior commitments fully.  All discussions and communications beyond the exploratory stage should be documented, including written approval between the two Program Directors if a transfer is made.  If agreement cannot be reached between the two Program Directors, an ad hoc committee of two Program Directors and one resident will be formed to decide the issue.