How painful was your internship?

[tRmedic21]

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To my understanding, you can do an intern year in either Medicine or Surgery (or possibly a Transitional year?) before beginning Radiology as a PGY2.

My question stems from my own feelings that if I do manage to land a Radiology spot, it will still be a bittersweet kind of moment, because I'll also find out that I will be doing a Prelim year in one of these two fields.

While Surgery is my 'backup' for Rads (haha, funny, huh?), I have been told by some that Prelim Surgery residents are treated vastly differently (in some places) than are Categorical Surgical residents. The prelim guys often have a very tough time of it, being scutted mercilessly (as if Surgery isn't tough enough) and generally treated like red-headed step-children.

And as for IM... well that simply seems painful from day 1, to me. After watching attendings get up and storm out of a conference when others wouldn't agree with their views on bowel disorders... well, let's just say, IF I get into Rads, I'd rather suffer as a Prelim Surgeon.

So what was your experience like, and why would you do it again or choose another route?

 

[hans19]

I did transitional and wouldn't do it any other way. Only 2 tough months. It was like 4th year of medschool all over again, except they called me 'Doctor' and I got paid!

In retrospect maybe a surgical internship might have been helpful as I am considering IR, but so far I have absolutely no regrets, except I should have played and travelled MORE! 😀

-Hans

 

[Docmike2006]

I did transitional and wouldn't do it any other way. Only 2 tough months. It was like 4th year of medschool all over again, except they called me 'Doctor' and I got paid!

In retrospect maybe a surgical internship might have been helpful as I am considering IR, but so far I have absolutely no regrets, except I should have played and travelled MORE! 😀

-Hans

I did prelim medicine, and it was tough. I doubt that what I learned helped me become a better radiologist. I would do something easy if I had to repeat everything.

 

[Rocket1]

a year of family medicine will fulfill your requirements. i am doing a transitional year, and while it is not exactly hard, it is not easy either. i have only been at it a week and hate it already.

 

[snoopdizzle]

Hans, could you post a stickly on transitional programs? 🙂 I really want to get one, but don't want to apply to 40 or so. Also, what do they look for in applicants? I REALLY want to avoid a prelim year in medicine or surg. Also what's the best was to assess the malignancy of these programs?

 

[hans19]

Hans, could you post a stickly on transitional programs? 🙂 I really want to get one, but don't want to apply to 40 or so. Also, what do they look for in applicants? I REALLY want to avoid a prelim year in medicine or surg. Also what's the best was to assess the malignancy of these programs?

Actually, I lucked out-- I applied to a few prelim Medicine programs, but ultimately I matched at a 5 year program transitional year included.

-Hans

 

[Thaitanium]

Hans, could you post a stickly on transitional programs? 🙂 I really want to get one, but don't want to apply to 40 or so. Also, what do they look for in applicants? I REALLY want to avoid a prelim year in medicine or surg. Also what's the best was to assess the malignancy of these programs?

Wondering the same thing, could someone shed some light on this?

Thanks.

 

[Carb Addict]

Wondering the same thing, could someone shed some light on this?

Thanks.

I matched at a great transitional program, so I'll share what I did.

I suggest making your personal statement relevant to transitional programs. All I did was add a one-liner to the end stating something like "a transitional program that places resident education first will help me achieve my goal of becoming a radiologist." That sort of thing lets them know that you are at least thinking that your intern year is important, but obviously it's not your ultimate goal.

Most programs seems to be after laid-back, team-players. It's a one year program, so you ought to show a personality that can integrate easily with a group for a year and not make the program director's life unbearable. Nevertheless, transitional programs are competitive and probably draw mainly from regional applicants that have great numbers. I have heard a rumor that on the top of one program director's priorities is physical attractiveness. So, there truly are factors out of your control, but probably more that you can control, IMHO.

I applied to about 8 or 9 transitional programs, which is above the average. But, I didn't have a definite part of the country I was interested in, so I was shopping around more than an average applicant. Most people I talked with seemed to apply regionally. I might also add that it really sucks having to move 2 years in a row, so even if it means doing a prelim yr in the city of your rads residency, I would suggest staying in the same place for all your training. Moving never sucks less (unless you're rich and can pay others to do it all for you).

As with any program (prelim, trans, rads), send a post-interview follow-up note that is specific and shows interest. For your first choice, tell them so. I should note that some ridiculous trans programs require applicants to call before they'll offer you an interview. So, if you're really interested in a particular program that hasn't contacted you, call them and get the ball rolling.

 

[factoid]

go for prelim surgery at a community or small hospital program. i did it at a well known insitution which is sort of community based and was treated just like the categoricals, including participating in the OR all the time etc. it was awesome, i don't have any regrets...except may be not going into surgery 😉

 

[conure]

I applied to about 8 or 9 transitional programs, which is above the average.........so I was shopping around more than an average applicant.

That doesn't seem like many programs and you were shopping around. I have heard similar numbers and the whole regional thing.

What makes it so one doesn't have to apply to 15-20 of these programs? Are interviews offered more readily? Is it that most of the applicants are more regional?

Thanks for all the comments so far.

 

[Carb Addict]

That doesn't seem like many programs and you were shopping around. I have heard similar numbers and the whole regional thing.

What makes it so one doesn't have to apply to 15-20 of these programs? Are interviews offered more readily? Is it that most of the applicants are more regional?

Thanks for all the comments so far.

Now that you ask, I should clarify that I interviewed at about 8-9 programs. I can't recall the exact number I applied to, but it was probably around 15 transitional programs total. Again, I applied to a larger number because I was looking at several regions in the US. A lot of people are applying only regionally, or at least for the most part, and including some prelim medicine or surgery programs.

I can't really say how to not have to apply to 15-20 programs, because transitional years are competitive. But, if you're a competitive applicant & apply to less than 15, it shouldn't be all that hard to land one in your own region. Play the game well.