How do residency programs view outside field research?

[folkstyle]

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Hi all, I'm curious how residency admin view research from outside of their field. For example, how would anesthesiology programs view an applicant that has a lot of research, but 90% of it is in dermatology?

 

[Doctoscope]

Probably view you as someone applying to anesthesia as backup without any other commitment to anesthesia, whether it be electives or aways. If you have all those, then you can just tell them you changed your mind, but if all you're bringing is derm research, it doesn't scream "I want to be an anesthesiologist."

Anesthesia has gotten competitive enough, especially for DOs, that they can afford to just not look at applicants they think aren't passionate for anesthesia. Remember, in 2024 overall it was less likely for DOs to match into anesthesia than MDs for neurosurgery.

 

[MrBigglesworth]

You have to be able to explain yourself, and probably have some anesthesia publications in the pipeline. You can say something on how you were gung-ho on derm, but then did an anesthesia elective and was blown away. And now you are committed to anesthesia and have started doing research in the area too. As you say this, you need to be beaming with happiness, love, and enthusiasm. Get good letters etc

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Also consider having your Derm mentor, whom will likely write you an LOR, write in it that you're no longer applying to Derm.

 

[folkstyle]

Probably view you as someone applying to anesthesia as backup without any other commitment to anesthesia, whether it be electives or aways. If you have all those, then you can just tell them you changed your mind, but if all you're bringing is derm research, it doesn't scream "I want to be an anesthesiologist."

Anesthesia has gotten competitive enough, especially for DOs, that they can afford to just not look at applicants they think aren't passionate for anesthesia. Remember, in 2024 overall it was less likely for DOs to match into anesthesia than MDs for neurosurgery.

Thanks for the feedback. Where did you get this data: "...in 2024 overall it was less likely for DOs to match into anesthesia than MDs for neurosurgery."? Not challenging, I ask so that I can look into this more.

 

[scottsterling]

Thanks for the feedback. Where did you get this data: "...in 2024 overall it was less likely for DOs to match into anesthesia than MDs for neurosurgery."? Not challenging, I ask so that I can look into this more.

Charting Outcomes™: Characteristics of Applicants Who Match to Their Preferred Specialty