Anesthesiology versus Radiology

[cozmopak]

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I understand that these two fields are vastly different both in theory and in practice. Now as I approach the end of my medical school training they are at the top of my list of career choices. I spent my last year working in the pathology department as a post-junior fellow and have developed an appreciation for diagnostic medicine. Pathologists, like radiologists, are puzzle solvers. The detective-like nature of the work stimulates me. I've spent many days working with radiologists; the immediacy of their work and the ability to perform procedures both make me more drawn their field than to pathology. I love anatomy and I love learning about disease and constructing differentials based on the way disease deranges anatomy. But something is missing for me. I can't put my finger on it. Maybe it's the dark rooms or the repetitive nature of the work. Maybe I simply don't know enough about the intricacies of radiology yet to be completely engaged by it, which brings me to anesthesia.

The only third year clerkship that I truly enjoyed was surgery. The environment of the operating room invigorated me. I don't desire to become a surgeon. The sacrifices that are involved are too daunting for me. I understand that the pursuit of anesthesia is not a cake walk and that its practice is wrought with challenges that would test the limits of my endurance, intellect and courage. But it would allow me to enter the world of the operating room while still retaining freedom outside of the hospital. The theory of anesthesia grips me, the physiology and the pharmacology. I know very little about the practice in a community setting, where I would likely work.

I know that others have had to decide between these two fields. I'd like some input.

 

[lfesiam]

I understand that these two fields are vastly different both in theory and in practice. Now as I approach the end of my medical school training they are at the top of my list of career choices. I spent my last year working in the pathology department as a post-junior fellow and have developed an appreciation for diagnostic medicine. Pathologists, like radiologists, are puzzle solvers. The detective-like nature of the work stimulates me. I've spent many days working with radiologists; the immediacy of their work and the ability to perform procedures both make me more drawn their field than to pathology. I love anatomy and I love learning about disease and constructing differentials based on . But something is missing for me. I can't put my finger on it. Maybe it's the dark rooms or the repetitive nature of the work. Maybe I simply don't know enough about the intricacies of radiology yet to be completely engaged by it, which brings me to anesthesia.

The only third year clerkship that I truly enjoyed was surgery. The environment of the operating room invigorated me. I don't desire to become a surgeon. The sacrifices that are involved are too daunting for me. I understand that the pursuit of anesthesia is not a cake walk and that its practice is wrought with challenges that would test the limits of my endurance, intellect and courage. But it would allow me to enter the world of the operating room while still retaining freedom outside of the hospital. The theory of anesthesia grips me, the physiology and the pharmacology. I know very little about the practice in a community setting, where I would likely work.

I know that others have had to decide between these two fields. I'd like some input.

Work environment my friend.

Dark Room vs. Operating Room

 

[fakin' the funk]

I understand that these two fields are vastly different both in theory and in practice...
The sacrifices that are involved are too daunting for me. I understand that the pursuit of anesthesia is not a cake walk and that its practice is wrought with challenges that would test the limits of my endurance, intellect and courage. But it would allow me to enter the world of the operating room while still retaining freedom outside of the hospital. The theory of anesthesia grips me, the physiology and the pharmacology. I know very little about the practice in a community setting, where I would likely work.

You're right, brother - these two fields have nothing in common, other than (and you pretty much nailed it) opportunity for having an outside life, aka "lifestyle." 🙄

If you like diagnosing and puzzles and whatnot, radiology is it. There ain't a whole lotta that in anesthesiology - it's more of a practice-based specialty where you actually have work with other humans, use equipment, use your hands...in short, DO stuff. Radiology...not a whole lotta doing in radiology.

Take your pick man, like you said these two fields have nothing in common, this should be an easy choice.

 

[discontinuebed]

Work environment my friend.

Dark Room vs. Operating Room

That pretty much nails it.

 

[Buckeye Anes]

If you like diagnosing and puzzles and whatnot, radiology is it. There ain't a whole lotta that in anesthesiology - it's more of a practice-based specialty where you actually have work with other humans, use equipment, use your hands...in short, DO stuff. Radiology...not a whole lotta doing in radiology.

Wow, no diagnosing and puzzles?....Really?...It'll be interesting to see if you still feel that way once you spend some time in the OR as a resident...If you do, good luck on oral boards in a couple years.

 

[Tenesma]

dude... diagnosing and solving puzzles????

radiologists depend on pattern recognition --- not much of a puzzle there - especially since they don't have the clinical content...

 

[jdovez]

Hey Cozmo I'm just an MSIV but I had a similar decision tree to what you describe. I really love the science behind both fields, the physiology and pharm of anesthesiology vs the physics and problem based practice of radiology. Ultimately for me the difference was patient contact and the work environment. I spent a few months doing both fields in med school and the OR environment where you actually get to see, speak to and help alleviate the fear of the patient you are dealing with ultimately was far more rewarding to me than sitting in a darkroom and calling the physician when figuring out a patient had cancer. The previous poster is very correct (as he is a resident and has far more experience in the field than those of us that are students) in that the practice of anesthesiology involves a near constant decision tree and problem solving based on a different set of scientific principles. Now, that set of principles becomes second nature to a good anesthesiologist who make it appear seamless but if you think about what you are doing when you deliver gas, you realize that there is a constant assessment and reassessment of the patient's response. In the event something goes acutely wrong you have to understand why and work to correct it in a very expedient manner.

In any event, you really can't go wrong with either field and you are posting in an anesthesiology forum so the answers will likely be skewed in that direction, but try out both fields and see what you like! It really can be a difficult choice.

 

[RxBoy]

I was right there with you this time last year, but for me it was Neuro vs. Gas

End of third year is one of the best times to choose what you want to go into because your motivation levels are still sky high. By 4th year you'll become a bit more jaded.

First off, Radiology and Anesthesia are both excellent fields. So you can't go wrong... No huge pros vs. cons.

Here is a quick run down:

Exciting = Anesthesia if you love working with your hands, radiology if you love working with the newest technology. But don't be fooled, both can get very boring at times. OR vs. Dark Room
Fellowship Track= Both...have great fellowship opportunity. IR is big for Rad, and pain is big for gas. There are a lot of others for both.
Salary = Radiology (although Gas pays great too)
Lifestyle (Especially during residency) = Radiology
Matching= Gas you'll get a better location/residency with lower scores. Rad is more competitive but still not Derm/Ortho levels. (average Step 1 Rad 235 vs. Gas 220)
Job Oppurtunity = Both are hot right now.Rad's you can night hawk, gas you can do locum tenens.
Politics = Both have very scary legislation in front of them. So this can swing either way. Most likely swing negitively for both.
Respect = Neither. Some lay people think Gas docs are nurses, and think Radiologists are technicians. As for other docs, neither really respect us and we're both known as sell-outs. But if we cared, we wouldn't go into the fields.

Now remember they are very close, the above is just the average. Some Gas Docs make more than Rad. Some Gas docs take less call than Rads. Some Rad residencies are less competitve than Gas. Its what you make of it.

Me personally, I love Anesth cause I love systems. I see the unconcious human body as a system with infinite possibilities that can go wrong pre/intra/or post op. You are the expert on stabilizing that system to homostasis. Everyone has their tastes.

Best Advice I can give you: Ultimately do what interests you. But don't listen to people that tell you lifestyle and money are meaningless. There are very meaningful. Lucky for you neither lack in that area. Love for a field will come with time, but NEVER do something you hate because nothing will change that.

 

[DO4lifer]

do a rotation in anesthesiology. this is the only way to know if you want to do it the rest of your life. i did multiple rotations, and love it more and more. 😍

 

[fakin' the funk]

Wow, no diagnosing and puzzles?....Really?...It'll be interesting to see if you still feel that way once you spend some time in the OR as a resident...If you do, good luck on oral boards in a couple years.

Yeah..."Anesthesiology: the Diagnostic Specialty." 🙄

...and I didn't say "no."

 

[Pilot Doc]

Take your pick man, like you said these two fields have nothing in common, this should be an easy choice.

Ahh, the hubris of youth.

Even if we assume the fields have nothing in common, that does not mean it's an easy choice. Most people don't have the luxury of being perfectly suited for one field and one only. Most try, after gazing through the medical school glass VERY darkly, to decide which combination of advantages and drawbacks is the least imperfect fit for them.

 

[Impromptu]

Like others have said, this isn't really a choice between right and wrong. Can you imagine yourself happy as a radiologist? Can you imagine yourself happy as an anesthesiologist? If you said yes to both questions, then you are in an enviable position of getting to choose between two perfectly good choices. The angst simply comes from worrying about what might have been, which will eat you alive if you let it. Don't make your decision till you've done a rotation in each. I started leaning towards anesthesiology as an MS2, but was only convinced it was the right choice after I took the rotation.

Honestly, I could probably be happy being a pediatrician, a surgeon, or an ER doc. I'll just be more happy in anesthesiology. Not bad to have those types of choices.