Currently PGY-1 in IM and want to switch...

[goanit]

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[gluon999]

I'm currently at a solid University PGY-1 IM program but just can't see myself doing it for the rest of my life. I would really love to do radiology but realize its a little late in the year to find an open PGY-2 spot. That being said, I figured I would do research in Radiology and pursue a PGY-2 spot in rads for next year. Anyone have experience doing something like this or have ideas where I can do research? Thanks in advance

I am just an MS3 about to start applying...just curious about the reasons you want to switch. What don't you like about IM? Is it something that will not get any better after intern year?

 

[goanit]

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[hans19]

Radiology is one of the specialties that gets harder AFTER residency. IM gets easier.

Radiology also requires a broad base of knowledge. Perhaps even more than IM. You have to know about OB, GS, the surgical specialties, Peds as well.

Think about it. Radiologists are able to achieve high incomes because of high volumes. How about reading 200 studies a day? Thats X-rays, US, CT, MRI, doing barium enemas, running the stress tests, interpreting mammos, answering calls from clinicians that want stat reads, calling back clinicians (and staying on hold) with critical results. I barely have time to use the restroom. I eat lunch (and sometimes dinner-- when I have to stay that late at my PACs Station).

If you are getting into radiology just because you think its less intense, but not because of any kind of intellectual interest, you will be in for a shock.
Be careful what you wish for...

Maybe you are just burned out now? Do you think you could depressed?

 

[CuriousKat]

Intern year was actually not as bad as everyone hypes it up to be. It has more to do with the lifestyle one lives later as an attending. Also with IM, it tends to be a dumping ground for all other services, and in return offers up very little in terms of respect from you colleagues in other fields. IM is a tough field which requires a broad base of knowledge, but for me I can see myself getting burned out with the lifestyle.

Have you thought about hospitalist positions? If you tough it out for 2 more years, you are looking at a 1 week on/ 1 week off gig for 200K+ a year (based on what my IM friends tell me).

If you decided to go the radiology route, you are probably looking at 1-2 years min to get in followed by 5 years of residency/fellowship (assuming you have the CV to pull off the switch)

Also, if you think IM requires a broad knowledge base, talk to some of your radiology colleagues. You might be surprised.

I considered radiology at one point. It is a great gig in many ways but it is not the holy grail.

My .02

 

[ioncell]

Radiology is one of the specialties that gets harder AFTER residency. IM gets easier.

Radiology also requires a broad base of knowledge. Perhaps even more than IM. You have to know about OB, GS, the surgical specialties, Peds as well.

Think about it. Radiologists are able to achieve high incomes because of high volumes. How about reading 200 studies a day? Thats X-rays, US, CT, MRI, doing barium enemas, running the stress tests, interpreting mammos, answering calls from clinicians that want stat reads, calling back clinicians (and staying on hold) with critical results. I barely have time to use the restroom. I eat lunch (and sometimes dinner-- when I have to stay that late at my PACs Station).

If you are getting into radiology just because you think its less intense, but not because of any kind of intellectual interest, you will be in for a shock.
Be careful what you wish for...

Maybe you are just burned out now? Do you think you could depressed?

Thanks Hans ,, as usual , Informative , realistic ,,

Although my intention is to have an Interventional fellowship , I wouldnt tell that , bec our Radiologists are so paranoid of this issue .

what do u think ?

 

[scudrunner]

Radiology is one of the specialties that gets harder AFTER residency. IM gets easier.

Radiology also requires a broad base of knowledge. Perhaps even more than IM. You have to know about OB, GS, the surgical specialties, Peds as well.

Think about it. Radiologists are able to achieve high incomes because of high volumes. How about reading 200 studies a day? Thats X-rays, US, CT, MRI, doing barium enemas, running the stress tests, interpreting mammos, answering calls from clinicians that want stat reads, calling back clinicians (and staying on hold) with critical results. I barely have time to use the restroom. I eat lunch (and sometimes dinner-- when I have to stay that late at my PACs Station).

If you are getting into radiology just because you think its less intense, but not because of any kind of intellectual interest, you will be in for a shock.
Be careful what you wish for...

Maybe you are just burned out now? Do you think you could depressed?

Do you actually do 200 studies/day? Is that normal? Seems crazy, but I have no idea.