hard to switch from internal med to anesthesiology????

[aspiringdoctor]

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HI,

I just matched into internal medicine and currently doing my anesthesiology (my last rotation), and surprisingly I really love and consider a possibly of going into anesthesiology. So, I wonder if anyone has switch into anesthesiology from other specialty and how hard it is to do that?

really appreciate any advices/comments

 

[Jay K]

Most programs usually reserve 1-2 spots in the CA-1 year for people who switch from other programs, quite typically they're surgery residents. I haven't met any medicine people that were invited for interviews, not to say it shouldn't be possible. If you want to do it, you'll find a way; The issue at hand is how you convince an anesthesia program director that you are genuinely interested in anesthesia "for the right reasons" enough for them to give you that chance. Those spots are there; Fight for one.

I'd recommend connecting up with the anesthesia department at your medicine program. Be forthright early on with your intentions, try to find someone to do some research with (will be hard as a medicine intern working the hours you will be forced to - it ain't gonna be 80hrs.... unless you got into a cush program) and get a mentor in the anesthesia department. I'd say your best bet then will be getting into the department your medicine program is located, because you'll be a known quantity both in personality, work ethic, determination and dedication to the field. All else fails, if you do a good job, they can recommend you with references and maybe a phone call to another program.

 

[Tee Cell]

I was in the same boat....matched to medicine ...did anesthesia as my last rotation after the match and loved it. I swiched after my intern year. Hard but not impossible. Talk to your program director and call anesthesia programs they often hold positions for residents looking to switch. PM me if you have questions.

 

[Sergio99]

Hello,

It is great to see someone switching for the right reasons.

However, if the switch is not as easy as you may expect it to be, don't be discouraged. If you cannot get into an anesthesia program right away, stay in the medicine program and switch whenever you find a spot. An extra year in medicine will not be wasted. Don't take it just as a necessary evil, but enjoy it and make the best of it: it will give you knowledge that you will be happy to have gotten.

Greetings.

 

[aspiringdoctor]

thank you for your helpful advices. I really appreciate that. I will contact the anesthesiology program director at my residency program, which is also my med school institution.