Applying to anesthesia vs risking IM for cardio?

[aka_tigerj]

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Enjoy both anesthesia & cardiology...

However, it looks as if I am only going to honor one rotation 3rd year (not in medicine either), so I likely won't have a chance at an academic IM program (step 237).

Any thoughts?

 

[partydoc]

figure out if you just really like heart physio or if you want to actually be a cardiologist

 

[ambiturner]

between medical school (academic) and internship (community program) I worked with about 7 different classes of medicine residents, average of 4-5 applying to cardiology each class, and never met a single one who failed to match. i met two who didn't match in GI and both were terrible. i guess the point is, if you want to be a cardiologist and are willing to work hard you will probably get a spot. and your step 1 score is quite good.

 

[IlDestriero]

Do you want to have a clinic and take cardiac consults? Do you want to have a stable of patients that you manage long term? Want to cover a hospital service for a couple weeks every few months? If so, IM and a cards fellowship.
Do you want to fix a heart and move on to the next train wreck, go home to your trophy wife around 5, and forget the details of the day over a nice glass of Red? If so, anesthesia and a one year cardiac anesthesia fellowship.

 

[imfrankie]

Do you want to have a clinic and take cardiac consults? Do you want to have a stable of patients that you manage long term? Want to cover a hospital service for a couple weeks every few months? If so, IM and a cards fellowship.
Do you want to fix a heart and move on to the next train wreck, go home to your trophy wife around 5, and forget the details of the day over a nice glass of Red? If so, anesthesia and a one year cardiac anesthesia fellowship.

he means 5am of course; and trophies don't come cheap

 

[2ndyear]

They're very different fields. Assume that you'll get a cardiology fellowship if you work hard, no matter where your primary residency is. I'm sure plenty of solid community program applicants get fellowships. Additionally, over a long career, the extra year or two of training make little difference. Focus on what you want your life to be like in practice. Eventually everything becomes just a job. If you want your job to be in the OR, choose anesthesia. If you'd like more of a mix of office/hospital and potentially procedural work choose cardiology.

 

[aka_tigerj]

between medical school (academic) and internship (community program) I worked with about 7 different classes of medicine residents, average of 4-5 applying to cardiology each class, and never met a single one who failed to match. i met two who didn't match in GI and both were terrible. i guess the point is, if you want to be a cardiologist and are willing to work hard you will probably get a spot. and your step 1 score is quite good.

What do folks that don't match GI do?

 

[bashwell]

What do folks that don't match GI do?

Try again if they really want it. I assume do GI research to improve their CV.

 

[Cytarabine]

Enjoy both anesthesia & cardiology...

However, it looks as if I am only going to honor one rotation 3rd year (not in medicine either), so I likely won't have a chance at an academic IM program (step 237).

Any thoughts?

I would think youd be a fine candidate for an academic program... Doubt every 237 step, average grade student is ending up in community medicine

 

[Sonny Crocket]

Let me give you a piece of advice: always do the right thing.

Seriously though. Do what interests you.