The world of academic orthopaedics

While I can't comment on the lifestyle of academic orthopods, I can tell you that you don't necessarily have to practice academic medicine to have a msk onc practice. True, most onc specialists are at academic centers, but I can think of one (located in Indianapolis) that is part of a large single specialty group with a thriving onc practice outside of an academic institution. That being said, if you are interested in onc, you will probably have a better chance of getting onc experience at a private training program, as many of the community programs farm out their onc experience. You would probably have no trouble getting an onc fellowship out of a private program but would have more exposure clinically at an academic training program. Interstingly, I came from a private program with no in house onc service and msk tumor was one of my strongest areas on the boards. Go figure. Good luck with the match process.

ED