I Need Help/Advice

[doc7905]

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Seems early to be doing this, but I am in desperate need of help.

I worked my butt off in med school going for one of the more competitive specialties. Did well on my boards, spent a ton on externships, applying and interviewing and matched into a great program. Now, I have started my residency, with my first rotation being my specialty of choice, and am absolutely hating it. I am realizing that I dont want this lifestyle and I don't want to do this specialty as a career. I believe that I made a big mistake. Maybe I had blinders on during school and focused on only one specialty, disregarding the other areas of medicine without even giving them a chance. I didnt use my 4th year electives wisely, only doing externships and going for the easy elective route. Now I am in a bad situation.

So the question now is: What can I do? Who should I talk to? Has anyone else been in this situation before? If so, what advice do you have?

This is a really scary situation for me. I thought I had everything all planned out, but I was wrong. I don't know what to do and I need someones help.

 

[Justin4563]

I totally feel you.. what specialty are you doing now?
need more info

 

[Justin4563]

If you realized that you dont like the specialty.. get out of it.... Im guessing you were comtemplating this before you started internship.. You arent the first person to experience this.. Just politely leave as soon as possible and get into something else.. If it is surgery just stick it out for the year because you will need that internship anyway... talk to me

 

[Daiphon]

also... if you had a mentor/advisor in medical school (which isn't all that removed at this point), i'd recommend getting in touch with him/her and talking about this... from what i understand, this isn't all that uncommon and can generally be handled well as long as no bridges are being burnt in the process... if you're in medicine or surgery, you might want to finish out your intern year before attempting to switch programs; and, depending on what's available at your hospital, you may be able to transfer into a co-existing residency.

during my 4th year EM aways, i met a very nice psych intern who (after only 2 months of psych) had already talked to her PD and the EM PD about switching over... she had to interview like all the other applicants, but ended up getting a position outside the match.

hope everything works out with you... let us know what happens.

-t,md

 

[Smurfette]

I think we all have doubt as interns (especially early on). God knows I do and have been paranoid about it all since the match. My day today makes me wonder the same thing...but I keep reminding myself of something: you're brand new right now and haven't had a chance to figure out how things work. So of course your doubts about your specialty choice are greater during this transition period. Try to get through the next month or so and see if it gets better---it probably will.

Maybe you will decide you hate it and you made the wrong choice--but I don't know if you can gauge it by your first few days as an intern. It's really overwhelming to adjust to internship (esp if you had a cush 4th year of med school). Give it a month or two and see if you still feel the same way.

If you do decide that you made the wrong choice, you can change specialties. It's really not that hard and I have met a ton of people who have done it. But another poster was right--completing a year as an intern will only help you (if you switch to anything requiring a transitional year or prelim year, you're set to take a PGY-2 slot that someone else switches out of).

 

[hello23]

IF one can divorce, one can switch the specialty. Don't mean to be sacarstic, but it's true.

 

[doc7905]

I agree that I need to give it more time. I wish that this was just a reaction to the increase in stress level, but deep down I don't think that I want the lifesytle that comes with this specialty.

If, after I give it a few months, I decide to change, who do I need to contact. My PD, the PD of a program that I want to switch into? Do PDs generally accept that someone wants to switch, or do they put up a fight and try and prevent you from switching?

I appreciate all of the advice so far.

 

[electra]

Most DMEs/PDs remember the days when you could finish your roations as a 4th year, choose a specialty, find a program and call up to interview. There is absolutely no doubt that the current system of linking programs to internships causes these problems. We just have to choose so early, it is difficult to know what you are getting in to.

You might also try talking with some of the residents about how they feel about this specialty. Remember, the residency is the hardest part. After residency, you may choose to be in a group practice where the schedule (and lifestyle) is not quite so rough.

You should also talk with your PD. But I think before I did, I would have an idea of what to do.

 

[MM9]

Last year I decided to change fields very early on in my internship. I can empathize with feeling like you had blinders on during medical school. Without knowing what specialty you're in, or switching into, it's tough to know what to recommend; and even then there is no "right way". Some general points from my experience:

- I think honesty is an important part of the equation. I was very upfront with my program, first with a senior attending with whom I had a friendship, and then with the program director, assistant PD, chief residents.....and so on. From a practical standpoint, you may need a recommendation from your PD and maybe some time to interview for your next spot. Also, I think honesty will help to make this year go more smoothly, which leads me to my next point:

- Finish the year. I don't get the impression that you are thinking about jumping ship but I thought I'd mention it anyway. Frequently during interviews for my "2nd" specialty I was complimented for sticking it out (and for being honest). I was surprised how often people do bail out.

- Even if you're going to give it some time, which is great advice, start thinking about the process of applying again. You might want/need to get into ERAS again, ask for new letters of rec, and you'll definitely need a new personal statement.

If you'd like to PM me perhaps I could help with some specifics. I can promise to keep things in confidence.

Good Luck.

 

[GenSurg]

Being in general surgery, I have known several residents switch after their intern year, and even up to three or four years through residency. Often times, as medical students, we don't get a good exposure to what it is really like as a resident. Students are protected from call are not required to carry a consult and floor pager call after call. Most specialties seem easy four weeks at a time with an easy month to fall back on.

If you are not happy this early in internship, I would consider making a switch. Even the most unhappy residents are usually excited this early on.

It is not as difficult as many think to switch, however, it is often hard to stay at the same institution or proceed without time off.

I would recommend finding a specialty you are interested in. Finish your internship and talk to your PD about your feelings. Possibly, you could do an elective in that field.

I've known people that sent CV, cover letter, and personal statement to every program they would be interested in, even up to 70-80 programs. This is a long-shot and would require an opening. Sometimes, an unexpected opening occurs and if a program has your file, they would be willing to interview you.

An alternative would be to go through the match again. This can be a pain, and may require that you take a year off before starting your new specialty. This is not ideal, but can allow you to recover from a painful internship.

Good luck with your decision, it is not an easy one to make.

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