changing residency

[buckmedmd]

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Does anyone have any experience with changing specialties during residency? How does it work? Now that all residency positions have to be filled through the match, do I have to enter the match again?

To anyone who has done this, how did you approach your program director?

Thanks!

 

[karacter]

I started out in a family practice residency and decided to switch to psychiatry after the first year. From my experience, it's very difficult to switch. There are many issues: medicare funding rules, reflection on your character, programs needing to accomodate someone new, leaving more work for the people in your old program if they don't find someone to replace you, finding the time to interview, and getting LORs from the people you work with, including the PD and saying that you are leaving.
You definitely need to talk to your PD if you are leaving because the new program will need to call your old program and ask about your performance and academic standing.

I decided to start from scratch and applied to a first year position through eras. During my interviews, some programs flat out said they would not consider me because they will lose money accepting someone who already used up a year of medicare funding. Every program grilled me on my reasons for switching. In the end, it worked out for me as I will be happily starting psych residency near my home this coming july. But while most my medical school classmates will be attendings soon, I still have 4 more years of residency to go.

 

[Imhotep]

Buck:
The process of switching becomes relatively painless if you are able to demonstrate a valid reason for doing so. The best approach would be to approach your PD and be honest with them. Also, planning ahead helps. Make sure you have some vacation days saved up in case you are called for an interview. Again, if you do give your program a sufficient enough notice, they can start recruiting for your position. As far as LORs are concerned, try to obtain them as you complete your rotations. You may or may not need to apply through ERAS again, depending on what field you are shooting for. Especially, if you are looking into a pgy2 position, you may not need to reapply.
Good luck. you may PM me if there are specific questions.