Can't choose between IM an Psych

[lachesys]

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Hey, I'm in my last year (actually I will graduate in August, maybe, the pandemic is a factor), but not in the US (Europe). I'm torn between IM and Psych. In my country Child&Adolescent Psych is a separate specialty, and I would pursue that, but in that residency there is only half year of ER&ICU, but nothing else. Just psych, for the remaining 4,5 years. I would forget everything I learnt in med school, and I mean it.... Here the theoretical part of the curriculum in med school is okay, but the practicals are terrible. We don't get near the exposure and authority, and quality of guided, supervised teaching you in the US have (our health care system is understaffed, and in half the practical classes we were just obstacles, there is no mentor-student relationship really, unless you go way out of your way and shadow someone in your free time.) What I'm trying to say, there is no 1 year IM in the Psych residency here what I read on other threads here why also Psych docs learn the basic IM things too: I wouldn't. But I got the best feedbacks on my Psych rotations, the docs and the lifestyle was nice, and I would enjoy the work, but deep done I would feel sh>t for not being a "real" doctor. Help?:\

 

[Oso]

1. Do you prefer treating HTN, CHF, COPD, DM, pneumonias, etc. or treating depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc?
2. Everyone forgets most of what they learned in medical school. I've already forgotten a lot of what I learned in residency
3. Psych in the US does 6 months of combined IM/neuro, before transitioning into psych
4. If you like psych you need to get over the "not being a real doctor" thing. If you'll never get over it then don't do psych
5. Again, do you prefer treating HTN, CHF, COPD, DM, pneumonias, etc. or treating depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc?

 

[Oedipa Maas]

Ditto to everything Oso said. The only thing I would add is think about what you disliked the most about each speciality. What if that made up most of your days some days? What can you live with? What can you not?

 

[asdf123g]

Go Psych

 

[themoonman2]

I will add that in the US, medicine residents and attendings generally work way more than psych residents and attendings. If you like them equally, might as well choose the one that gives you more of a life outside of medicine.

 

[MEN2C]

Wise words. Pick the specialty you like the best. What bread and butter do you like or dislike? If both are still even, pick on other criteria: lifestyle, money, type of career and practice you want.

 

[Splenda88]

If you see yourself doing 2 specialties, choose the one with better job market, better lifestyle and more $$. Psych wins.