Hello,

Honestly it really varies from year to year. There are two factors, how many specialty jobs are available, and how many of your colleagues want to do the same thing as you. As the numbers at play are quite small, it's a difficult one to predict. There were 2 candidates for 2 EM jobs when my cohort applied, but it would be just as likely to see 5 candidates for 1 job in another year.
EM, Anaesthetics and GP tend to be the specialties that are most competitive, but you do occasionally get other specialties thrown in, a few years ago radiology was the most competitive.

Often people change their minds (a few times) during GDMO, so while it is good to have an idea of what you might like to specialise in, try and keep an open mind. If you do join and then find the specialty job you want is very competitive, you can simultaneously apply for an NHS job so that you can leave and go in to an NHS training post if your application for a military specialty is unsuccessful. GDMOs tend to benchmark quite highly, particularly for specialties like EM, as they have a few extra years of experience which usually involves pre-hospital emergency care, as well as a slightly bulkier CV as there is good access to courses and lots of opportunities to take part in QIP/research. So if you do end up going down the NHS route, you're in a good place to apply for some of the more competitive NHS spots.

I hope that helps, let me know if you have any other questions.

10 January, 2021 14:29