Help! Need To Switch From Radiology To Anesthesiology!

[ILikeGas]

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HELP!

This is late and I've already interviewed for radiology positions, but I'm thinking seriously of bailing out of the match for radiology and trying to enter the application/Match process for anesthesiology.

Reasons for these extreme measures? Outsourcing issues to other countries becoming very hot, declining reimbursement in the future, radiologists now working when on call even harder than internists believe it or not (confirmed by my friends in radiology, when they're on call, they are working at full-speed for at least 24 hours, whereas if you're gas on call, there is at least some chance you might get some nap time in the call room). Everyone's concerned about these issues including practicing radiologists.

So, as truly painful as it is to pull the plug now, please tell me:

1. What are the typical USMLE scores to match into top programs and mid-level programs?
2. Am I too late to apply through ERAS i.e. have all the interview spots
been given out?

3. Any threads existing that people can point me to that discuss questions 1. and 2?

Thanks for all your help!
I feel the pain of going back to the end of the line!

 

[dbiddy808]

If you have been able to get one or two radiology interviews, then I'd think that (if you had applied early enough) you would be able to match at the most competetive anesthesia programs in the country.

Unfortunately for you..........its pretty late now. If you apply to 40-50 programs right now and follow up with phone calls explaining your situation, and if you have at least one LOR from an anesthesiologist or critical care physician, I'd say you'd probably match at somewhere.

You might want to call progams and see if they have filled all their interview slots before applying.

And for what its worth.......I don't think you are making a bad decision. Radiologists work pretty hard and there is alot of stress. Anesthesia is pretty fricken sweet.

 

[UTSouthwestern]

Your scores should be sufficient as stated above. I would compile a list of programs you are interested in and contact your top ten ASAP. Explain your situation and send in your CV/application quickly and you should still get some interviews.

 

[undecided05]

before switching to anesthesia, you might want to look at the down sides to gas if you're concerned about outsourcing and lower reimbursements. It's pretty much a fact that all fields of medicine are going to get lower reimbursements. As for outsourcing, some could make the claim that the same is happening in anesthesia with the advent of CRNA's getting more power. (by the way, please do not comment on CRNA vs MD anesthesia. Not meant to start a lame thread). Just three cents of advice.

 

[turbored]

so, just an option to think about is that instead of rushing to get all this done, you can just match for transitional/prelim....take the year to make sure you're certain about anesthesia/do an anesthesia elective if you can swing it/get some recs....then go outside the match as most anesthesia programs save a couple spots for converts

 

[ILikeGas]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I am very aware of the ever-present MD versus CRNA issue. But after having evaluated it, it strikes me that:

1. The issue has been present for an incredibly long time--as in decades, yet
MDs still hold the upper hand, and there is little different in strategy that
has not already been tried by the CRNAs to advance their agenday, yet it
has all failed.

Compare this with radiology outsourcing and the rise of the Internet. Prior
to the internet, outsourcing was theoretically possible, but now with globalization of economies and the ability to send scans anywhere instantly, radiology outsourcing will happen.

2. Once, again, unlike the radiology outsourcing issue, the MD versus CRNA seems to me to have stabilized into some kind of uneasy truce. Plus, this issue is among American MDs and American CRNAs, not American MDs versus foreign MDS or foreign CRNAS.

3. Anesthesiology will never be outsourced to foreign coutries, unless it is possible to administer gas via internet controlled anesthesia machines controlled remotely by doctors in foreign coutries. A way way unlikely scenario.

 

[CambieMD]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I am very aware of the ever-present MD versus CRNA issue. But after having evaluated it, it strikes me that:

1. The issue has been present for an incredibly long time--as in decades, yet
MDs still hold the upper hand, and there is little different in strategy that
has not already been tried by the CRNAs to advance their agenday, yet it
has all failed.

Compare this with radiology outsourcing and the rise of the Internet. Prior
to the internet, outsourcing was theoretically possible, but now with globalization of economies and the ability to send scans anywhere instantly, radiology outsourcing will happen.

2. Once, again, unlike the radiology outsourcing issue, the MD versus CRNA seems to me to have stabilized into some kind of uneasy truce. Plus, this issue is among American MDs and American CRNAs, not American MDs versus foreign MDS or foreign CRNAS.

3. Anesthesiology will never be outsourced to foreign coutries, unless it is possible to administer gas via internet controlled anesthesia machines controlled remotely by doctors in foreign coutries. A way way unlikely scenario.

Outsourcing in radiology is a natural result of the ability to transmit images digitally. Pathologist should also be nervous.I have yet to hear about virtual intubation and operative care. Anesthesiology is very hands- on.

I think that you should complete a prelim year . During your prelim year contact gas programs . You could always try to scramble into a program after the match.

All the best,

CambieMD

 

[tigershark]

If you were even slightly competitive for radiology then you will have no trouble getting a spot in anesthesia. This late in the game you will just have to make a bunch of phone calls and be hustling for interviews. Programs will likely snatch you up because you should be head and shoulders above most applicants.

I think your concerns about radiology are misguided and superficial though. Most of these doomsday scenarios are covert attempts to thin the pack of applicants. The issue of outsourcing is much deeper and complicated than the shallow understanding that most people like you parrot (no offense intended).

 

[CambieMD]

If you were even slightly competitive for radiology then you will have no trouble getting a spot in anesthesia. This late in the game you will just have to make a bunch of phone calls and be hustling for interviews. Programs will likely snatch you up because you should be head and shoulders above most applicants.

I think your concerns about radiology are misguided and superficial though. Most of these doomsday scenarios are covert attempts to thin the pack of applicants. The issue of outsourcing is much deeper and complicated than the shallow understanding that most people like you parrot (no offense intended).

There is nothing complicated about trying to keep labor cost down.

CambieMD

 

[tigershark]

There is nothing complicated about trying to keep labor cost down.

CambieMD

Perhaps there's not anything complicated about "trying." The actual implementation of massive imaging outsourcing is a logistical beast. It's a theoretical pie in the sky. There are too many parties involved for it to happen any time soon. India doesn't even have enough radiologists to read it's own studies, much less put US radiologists out of business. QC in India? Non-existant. Yes radiology will undergo changes, but there is no reason innovative US radiologists can't be at the forefront. Radiologist will find ways to take advantage of the changes, it's the American way.

 

[ILikeGas]

Outsourcing in radiology is a natural result of the ability to transmit images digitally. Pathologist should also be nervous.I have yet to hear about virtual intubation and operative care. Anesthesiology is very hands- on.

I think that you should complete a prelim year . During your prelim year contact gas programs . You could always try to scramble into a program after the match.

All the best,

CambieMD

Thanks for replying, Cambie. I don't know if you would know for sure, but would I need to have letters of rec specifically for anesthesiology in order to scramble?

Because, I'm in an awkward situation now with my present letters of rec for radiology. (Letter writers might be kind of annonyed to be asked to re-write for gas), and it might be running kind of late to ask new letter writers for letters for gas.

Thanks from anybody for info.