A little bit different - but any advise?

[blick]

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Hi-
I'm 'nontraditional' in the sense that at 42, I am interested in going back and doing another residency - this one in Psychiatry. I completed my first residency 10 years ago in pathology and have worked in research and medical informatics, since -- but no patient care.
Any advice on what should be my next step? Would a program accept someone 14 years after medical school?
I just started volunteering at NAMI - an association on mental illness and am enjoying it. I would like to get more of a feel of direct patient contact by volunteering more (preferably the mentally ill), but with my background, what can I do?
Should I contact residency directors now or wait and make sure 100% this is what I want to do?
Should I try to get a part time job, even if it is not with the mentally ill?
Part of me wants to ease into this, so I don't get discouraged and give up, but part of me says - hey, you are 42, move it.
Thanks!

 

[DrMidlife]

I'd be surprised if you find help in this forum - we're largely premedical or about to start med school here.

I suggest you try this request in the physician/resident forums: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=35

Best of luck to you.

 

[Doc Samson]

Hi-
I'm 'nontraditional' in the sense that at 42, I am interested in going back and doing another residency - this one in Psychiatry. I completed my first residency 10 years ago in pathology and have worked in research and medical informatics, since -- but no patient care.
Any advice on what should be my next step? Would a program accept someone 14 years after medical school?
I just started volunteering at NAMI - an association on mental illness and am enjoying it. I would like to get more of a feel of direct patient contact by volunteering more (preferably the mentally ill), but with my background, what can I do?
Should I contact residency directors now or wait and make sure 100% this is what I want to do?
Should I try to get a part time job, even if it is not with the mentally ill?
Part of me wants to ease into this, so I don't get discouraged and give up, but part of me says - hey, you are 42, move it.
Thanks!

You're talking about psychiatrists here... we're always interested in hearing people's stories. Depending on your prior residency experience, you might be able to match into an open PGY-2 slot (which PDs are always keen to fill). I'd say there's very little risk in contacting some PDs, letting them know where you're at, at getting a better feel for the situation.

 

[Wednesday]

Hey Blick,

Plenty of people switch into psychiatry, in fact it's apparently the most switched into specialty. I am currently at a program that accepts many people who have completed training in other fields and have come back to retrain. There are several programs that have designated PGY2 spots for this purpose and all of the ones I've talked to feel it adds a lot of diversity to the classes. You may not be able to start as a PGY2 if you haven't done a clinical year however. Depends if you did a prelim year in medicine prior to pathology residency. If not, you'd likely have to come in as a PGY1. Definitely contact some programs, might start with programs who accept people at the PGY2 level because they might be more open to non-trad types but psychiatry in general is filled with non-trads (one of my attendings used to be a plastic surgeon!). You will likely be pleasantly surprised.

 

[blick]

Thanks so much! I am getting so much positive feedback - I AM pleasantly surprised!

 

[Psychurmind]

Hi,

I'm currently a second year pathology resident switching to psychiatry so I can tell you what I've seen on the interview trail. Mostly, my interviewers want to know WHY? the switch from path to psych, as they seem like complete opposites. Also, it's important to regain exposure to psychiatry and patients since you've been away from patient care for so long.

Because you haven't done a clinical year prior to pathology, you would have to start as a PGY-1 which for me means I'm going through the match. Everyone i've met has been nice and not too judgemental about my decision to switch fields. Good luck!

 

[blick]

Hi Psychurmind-
Thanks for replying!
Yes - I agree -- I have been volunteering at the headquarters of NAMI. What other sorts of ways could I regain exposure to psychiatry and patients? More volunteering? Would I be allowed to do rotations at a nearby medical school?
Is there anything you would suggest I do or anyone I should talk to?
Thanks!