Changing Specialties Question

[doc78]

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I had initially thought I wanted a GS residency, and applied to
several programs. Due to what I think was a geographical limitation, I
didn't match but scrambled into a prelim GS spot. I've had a
successful year but I've decided that GS is not for me. My next
closest interest has always been anesthesiology, so I am looking to
get a spot for next year.

I'm looking for some insight or scramble advice. Since I applied very
late, I only got 3 interviews. One was outside of the match and didn't
accept me. I'm ranking only two programs. I feel like I'm a qualified
candidate. My only problem is I didn't do an anesthesiology rotation
during med school and haven't had my anesthesiology month yet here in
my GS prelim year. I have good letters of recommendation including one
from my current assistant program director, but they recommend me for
GS. My Step 1 is 229.

I'm thinking I'll probably have to scramble. Does anyone have any idea
how many spots generally are left in anesthesia for the scramble? If I
get a phone interview, how do you think I should approach my lack of
anesthesiology experience?

If I don't happen to find a spot for next year, what should I do with myself? I know CA-1 spots open up throughout the year, so I'll try to apply for those. I'm just not quite sure what to do with myself in the meantime in that event.

I hope someone has some ideas. I REALLY want to find a spot obviously,
and I'm doing everything I can to prepare for scramble day...

Thanks!

 

[BlondeDocteur]

IN the 2009 Match, 26 anesthesia positions were unfilled, but only 16 were PGY-2 Advanced spots.

http://www.nrmp.org/data/resultsanddata2009.pdf

The match is awful, but do you have any reason to think you won't match at either of the two places you ranked? Also, does your current institution have an anesthesia program? If so, do you think any magic could be made there if your surgery PD thinks well of you?

 

[doc78]

One of the programs I ranked is the program I'm currently at. The anesthesiology PD where I am is very nice. She let me know that considering my lack of experience in anesthesiology, I would probably be ranked upper middle. It is a small program, however. She also put in a call to another program and got me the interview for the other one I'm ranking.

Since most places match PGY-2 a year in advance, I would have a dead year in between if I matched to either program. I considered trying to scramble into an IM prelim year if I do match, but I'd really rather not have to move away and come back. Does anyone know if it's possible for someone who has completed a prelim year to do something like Urgent Care? I will have passed Step 3 at that time...

Just trying to plan ahead as much as possible before mid-March. Thanks for the advice!

 

[MrBurns10]

Have you looked into whether there are any CA-1 spots available? You wouldn't have a dead year, go through the match, or scramble. Your prelim surgery year should count towards that, assuming you had two months in the ICU.