unfortunately, we kinda lost track and i have no idea what he is doing now (either IM OR surg or even where he is)....i know i am making an assumption here, but his sudden lack of communications to almost everyone tells me that something "bad" (for a lack of a word) probably happened...he was my ex-girlfriend's brother, so its not like i can even call to find out....i hope he is well
anyways, someone else had also written that there are quite a handful of students that have not truly decided what they wanna be by their 4th year...and lets face it, there are also quite a handful of students that TRULY DO have an interest in more than 1 thing and could see themselves doing EITHER. I can think of atleast 10 med school friends of mine (fellow 4th years) that could just as easily do IM (and have a strong interest in it) as they could do, say, EM. They are BOTH very attractive for different reasons. One of my friends loves looking at CTs, x-rays, MRs, etc.. While I wondered if he sniffed glue as a little child, I can see his perspective. He said he would LOVE to do radio but doesn't know if he'll get in; however, he also loves medicine (nephro) and would just as equally love to that as a career. He doesn't mind the lack of patient communication (rad), but also knows he won't have to put up with certain patient's BS, non-compliance, drug-seeking behaviors (during residency), when to call or when not to call DYFUS for SUSPECTED child abuse, etc.etc. I think you get the point. While I admit that these are just a few examples, I wouldn't doubt it if there are a handful of students at YOUR med school or residents at YOUR institution who didn't face this "dilemma."
I will admit that this probably doesn't relate to certain fields of medicine (irrespective of $$), such as derm (God help me if I sit there and pop pimples all day...I know...I know...there's more to it than that so please don't every future derm doc go down my throat, but derm is not my "calling."), ortho (banging away with a glorified hammer and chisel...once again, JUST my opinion), ob/gyn (I'll just leave that one alone 😀 ), etc. But, what about someone who likes IM and loves kids too. They could do either. I think this ambivalence permeates more in the primary care fields (IM, Peds, FP) than it does in "specialized" fields.
Anyways...has what happened to my friend above happened to anyone else?
If this happened to you (HYPOTHETICALLY or even realistically--b/c you plan on applying to more than 1 specialty), what WOULD you do about it? Now, keep in mind that once you are at the interview, telling the PD that you are interested in other fields of medicine MAY deter them from ranking you.
Thoughts? Opinions?
