Hypotheticals.... Unhappy with match outcome.. options?

[FLpk1girl86]

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Lets say someone I know made a hasty last minute decision and ended up matching into a FIELD they dislike. Options for the future? Is swapping the only way out?

 

[mycatishuge]

Lets say someone I know made a hasty last minute decision and ended up matching into a FIELD they dislike. Options for the future? Is swapping the only way out?

Matching into the wrong residency program is like finding out that you are pregnant with that bum's baby. Also, you are pro-life.

 

[FLpk1girl86]

Matching into the wrong residency program is like finding out that you are pregnant with that bum's baby. Also, you are pro-life.

good analogy

 

[mycatishuge]

good analogy

So what were you planning to match into and what did you end up matching into? Let's see how bad the situation is.

 

[Law2Doc]

Lets say someone I know made a hasty last minute decision and ended up matching into a FIELD they dislike. Options for the future? Is swapping the only way out?

Option 1 - learn to like it.
Option 2 - figure out if there is a fellowship option at the end you might like, and just suffer through until you get to that point.
Option 3 - do a year and while you are there talk on the sly to PDs in the field you think you like better and see if they have suggestions/interest.
Option 4 - show up, and while there make it known to your PD that you are going to interview and try to match into another field after the first year. I think this is more risky than option 3, but he's likely going to find out anyway.
Option 5 - quit outright, probably need to find another career other than medicine.

I'm not sure "swapping" really works if we are talking different fields rather than different programs. You essentially signed a contract, and are stuck showing up on day one. Probably will be smartest to at least resolve yourself to finish the year. Making a jump after a year (options 3 &4) is often possible, but you have to be sure this time, and you'll burn a lot of bridges. I defer to others ho have actually jumped ship.

 

[shan564]

I agree that it's heavily dependent on the specialties. If you matched into psychiatry instead of pathology, you might need to talk to your PD about switching/re-interviewing. If you matched into IM instead of FM, you can probably just do an "outpatient track" or something. If you matched into neuro instead of IM, then you can probably seamlessly take a PGY2 spot in IM somewhere. If you matched into PM&R instead of anesthesia, then do a pain fellowship.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

Lots of people switch specialties during residency -- it's not the end of the world. Show up and try to do well, though, so you can get a good letter of recommendation from your program director.

 

[anony mouse]

From my limited experience (MS4) jumping fields definitely seems doable. I know of the following residency switches (after at least the first year):

Gen Surg --> Ortho
Gen Surg --> Psych
OB/Gyn --> Emergency
Neurosurg --> Radiology
Gen Surg --> Radiology
Ortho --> Internal Med

 

[cheruka]

I know of
Gen surg-> FM
Neurosurg-> anesth
IM->FM

 

[gutonc]

From my limited experience (MS4) jumping fields definitely seems doable. I know of the following residency switches (after at least the first year):

Gen Surg --> Ortho

Didn't match in Ortho, backdoored into a PGY2 spot...happens all the time.

Gen Surg --> Psych
OB/Gyn --> Emergency
Neurosurg --> Radiology
Gen Surg --> Radiology
Ortho --> Internal Med

I know of
Gen surg-> FM
Neurosurg-> anesth
IM->FM

You'll notice these are all "downward" moves (with the exception of OB-->EM and Gen Surg --> Rads which are lateral-ish). This isn't uncommon, but it's not easy (mostly because of the demands that residency places on your time, making applying and interviewing very difficult as an intern). Most of the switches I know of have been within an institution which is much easier from a logistical standpoint.

 

[dozitgetchahi]

I have personally seen/encountered...

FM => EM
IM => EM
IM => Anesthesia
Gen Surg => Ortho