Anyone missing the OR?

[n618ft]

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I'm in a primary care residency - PGY1. We get as much OR time as we want and I'm taking them up on the offer. Unfortunately, it's making me miss the OR and hands-on work like crazy. Does anyone have some feedback with their own experiences in handling this?

 

[Siggy]

I'm an IM PGY2 and in regards to my emotions on the OR? I wouldn't call it "missing."

 

[AMEHigh]

Every once in awhile but then I remember the schedule that surgeons and obgyns have (the 2 specialties I was considering) and I am SO happy that I'm doing primary care.

 

[bashwell]

I'm in a primary care residency - PGY1. We get as much OR time as we want and I'm taking them up on the offer. Unfortunately, it's making me miss the OR and hands-on work like crazy. Does anyone have some feedback with their own experiences in handling this?

Is it more the OR or is it hands-on work? If it's hands-on work, how about the ICU?

 

[AdmiralChz]

Do you miss the actual operating room, or would you prefer to be doing procedural-based medicine? IM is so broad you can absolutely do plenty of procedures, but actual OR (as opposed to cath/GI/Pulm labs) time will be minimal.

 

[n618ft]

Actually miss complicated abdominal and pelvic surgeries :-/

 

[AlmostAnMD]

I'm missing the OR every day of my residency

Specifically, I have to walk right by it to get to where I'm going

 

[TooMuchResearch]

I'm missing the OR every day of my residency

Specifically, I have to walk right by it to get to where I'm going

Zing.

 

[AdmiralChz]

Actually miss complicated abdominal and pelvic surgeries :-/

I'm lost here help me out, you are in a "primary care" residency, so IM vs FM? But you get as much OR time as you want? Enough time to catch a complex LAR or hysterectomy? You don't have clinical obligations as most interns do? I'm in anesthesiology now, but I didn't have any downtime to catch a 5 hour surgery in the middle of the day during internship...

Why did you decide on IM/FM vs OBGYN (which is what you clearly are aiming towards?) in the first place, there is a lot of primary care involved in that specialty.

 

[n618ft]

I'm lost here help me out, you are in a "primary care" residency, so IM vs FM? But you get as much OR time as you want? Enough time to catch a complex LAR or hysterectomy? You don't have clinical obligations as most interns do? I'm in anesthesiology now, but I didn't have any downtime to catch a 5 hour surgery in the middle of the day during internship...

Why did you decide on IM/FM vs OBGYN (which is what you clearly are aiming towards?) in the first place, there is a lot of primary care involved in that specialty.

Matched into FM - first choice was OB. Great program though. Considering we have GYN, OB, Ortho, GS and our calls cover L&D... clinic is once a week for half a day... plenty of surgery and as long as we don't violate hours we can follow patients to the OR. Electives next year can be surgical too. Was debating reapplying locally or just finishing this and getting more experience afterwards whether that be rural or another residency. More than willing to max out my schedule for the next few years - great family support to not burn out and I don't mind the 80-100hr weeks.

 

[jthedestroyr]

I liked Ob too but matched anesthesia. I think I liked the idea of what they do. I get to the hospital at 6 or 0530 if it's a big case and we get pissy if we leave between 5-7. My friend that's an Ob resident gets up at 330-4, gets home late AND has clinic.

Yeah, grass is greener my friend until you see it really isn't.

 

[ThoracicGuy]

Matched into FM - first choice was OB. Great program though. Considering we have GYN, OB, Ortho, GS and our calls cover L&D... clinic is once a week for half a day... plenty of surgery and as long as we don't violate hours we can follow patients to the OR. Electives next year can be surgical too. Was debating reapplying locally or just finishing this and getting more experience afterwards whether that be rural or another residency. More than willing to max out my schedule for the next few years - great family support to not burn out and I don't mind the 80-100hr weeks.

If you tried to match OB and didn't, I wouldn't leave your current program. Finish and if you are still interested, apply for an OB residency.

 

[n618ft]

I didn't rank every program and didn't apply anywhere near where I am. I'm the SE but applied strictly to the NE since my parents are there for a few years. Very competitive applicant - 30 interview offers. Spoke with a couple PD's and they told me they ranked local people higher and if that's what I really want to do, I should reapply now.

 

[ThoracicGuy]

I didn't rank every program and didn't apply anywhere near where I am. I'm the SE but applied strictly to the NE since my parents are there for a few years. Very competitive applicant - 30 interview offers. Spoke with a couple PD's and they told me they ranked local people higher and if that's what I really want to do, I should reapply now.

Just realize that it you take this step, it will likely mean you losing your current spot regardless of matching to an ob spot. You'll need a lor from your PD for the application.