Deciding late between PM&R and another specialty

[Ghostpepper]

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Hey everybody,

I'm getting ready to start 4th year at a program without a PM&R residency. My app is definitely geared toward a certain surgical subspecialty (which I still have legitimate interest in), but as I've read and researched more and more about PM&R, my gut is telling me this could be the perfect fit for what I want. But, I have zero experience in it so far, and even the few shadowing attempts have come up empty for me. While we don't have a residency, there is a rotation at a nearby community rehab hospital offered, and I am planning on doing that in August. In July, I'll be doing the other specialty, and I'll be able to compare back to back.

IF it turns out PM&R is clearly what I want to pursue, is August just too late to have a reasonable shot at matching at a great clinical program with no specialty-specific research and not doing any away rotations?

Just FYI:
My interest stems from preferring a mostly outpatient setting, opportunity for procedures if desired, and the fact that I have really enjoyed taking care of patients typically needing a rehab regimen throughout this year.
Step 1-248
M3-3 P's (including IM which isn't ideal I know), 2 HP's (in OB and Surgery), waiting on last rotation
Research-1 2nd Author Pub, 1 case report submitted, a couple of other projects, obviously no research to anything related to this specialty

Would be tough to get more than 1 PM&R LOR (could maybe get 2 if I'm lucky) and even then, it wouldn't be big name faculty-type letters. So now I'm just looking for advice to see if I missed the boat and would be better off not applying to this given I like my rotation as much as I think I could. I would appreciate any feedback you guys could give.

 

[lejeunesage]

Definitely not too late.
Away rotations are not a must. I didn't do any and had no trouble landing more interviews that I needed, with a step 1 score much lower than yours.
You have more research than many PM&R applicants and certainly more than I had when I applied.
You don't need more than 1 PM&R letter. In fact, many programs want to you have letters from other specialists, testifying to your well-roundedness as a med student.
PM&R would be happy to have you. Do well on your rotation, show you're not a douche and you can get along with people and more programs than not would be happy to open their doors to you.
With your stats, you'll probably be getting interviews at 2 thirds of the places you apply to.

Good luck.

 

[j4pac]

Get a specialty LOR and apply early/broadly enough and you have a very high likelihood of being a PM&R resident in a few years.

 

[Ghostpepper]

Thanks guys for the responses.

I just found out now the community hospital rotation I thought I'd be sure to get is not available in Aug or September. That basically leaves me with:

1. Do some months of rheum, ortho, and Neuro and hope for the best come interviews
2. Do an away rotation and spend a decent amount of money on something I wouldn't even be positive I'd go into

With that taken into account, back to the question of being too late to apply and have a chance at ending up at a decent program?

 

[j4pac]

Would I take you without a specialty LOR? Tough sell, my friend.

You do NOT need research. You do NOT need an audition rotation. You do need a specialty LOR. In order to get a specialty LOR you likely need to have some experience rotating.

I would be surprised if there isn't a PM&R doc living in your area. You need to understand your program's rotation requirements and determine if you would be allowed to rotate at any random clinic. If you have your schools approval...go to this website and find a local Physiatrist:
https://www.aapmr.org/patients/findphysician/Pages/default.aspx

Then call every Physiatrist's office requesting to speak to the clinic manager or physician. Be very clear with the wording so the offices will know what you are requesting. Mine would look something like:

j4pac: "Good morning, I'm j4pac. I am a student of BFNcom. I have a strong interest in PM&R and would love to rotate with Dr. Jabroni if given the opportunity. I am looking for a rotation in either August or September of this year."

Clinical manager: "Dr. Jabroni is currently seeing patients but I will relay the message to him as soon as possible."

j4pac: "Thank you, ma'am. Can I please give you my phone number and email address?"

Clinic manager: "Yes...what is it?"

j4pac: number and email

Clinic manager: "I got it."

j4pac: "Thank you again. I know that you are busy, would you mind if I call back in a week to follow up if I don't hear anything back?"

Clinic manager: "Sure, hon."

j4pac: "Thank you again, bye."


I became a personal secretary to myself at LECOM Bradenton.

 

[Ghostpepper]

That is awesome. Seriously. Thanks, I will look more into calling around to local docs.

 

[Ghostpepper]

Alright, sorry to bump this thread but I have another question. I did the community rotation in August and loved it. I have been all in since that point.

I have applied to 34 programs and feel pretty good about my application and scores aside from having an extreme lack of PM&R-specific activities (I was able to get started on a research project in the pain department at my school). I have one LOR from an IM attending I worked with and one from a FM doc as well and these are both uploaded. However, the non-academic, not well known physiatrist who is writing me a letter is not in any rush to say the least. That is the only thing missing from my app but I feel like programs are probably seeing my research and ECs focused on something else combined with not having my specialty letter in yet.

How much will this hurt me from getting offers from programs who start earlier like LSU, etc? I know it's still very early but I guess I was hoping to have a stronger start than this.

 

[j4pac]

Considering that the lack of a specialty LOR could be seen as a red flag, it would be wise to apply broader. Get the LOR asap and send out more apps.

 

[Jitter Bug]

Work it. Remind the PM&R doc "respectfully" that it is application time and you need that letter. Make sure he/she has your CV, a copy of your personal statement, and anything else that would help them write something up, including start and finishing dates and hours logged during your rotation. Leave them a self addressed stamped envelope (seriously). Offer a bottle of whisky if they can get it done over the weekend (maybe). You and thousands of other applicants are chasing down errant letter writers right now. It's just part of the deal.

 

[Ghostpepper]

It is supposed to be uploaded "early this week" which could easily mean late this week or so. Once it's uploaded, do I just have to wait until programs re download apps on Oct. 1st when the MSPE goes out or is there any reason to contact programs earlier?