I'd like advice from an attending

[5Burros]

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Hello-
I will keep this as brief as possible. I am currently a cardiology fellow and am extremely unhappy. I am miserable in this job, and to be honest, I miss internal medicine. The bottom line is, although I wasn't sure until now, that I want to be an internist. I like internal medicine, and I would be happy being an internist. I am not loving this as I thought I would. The best option would be to finish out the year and not sign on for the next 2, but I am becoming severely affected by my misery and want to leave now (mid-year). I would like any feedback from program directors and/or attending internal medicine physicians on how it would affect me if I left mid-year (eg. the effect it would have on being hired by an IM practice, or hospitalist position). Thank you so much in advance.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

I think that much of the answer depends on how you handle this.

First, make sure that you really don;t like cardiology. The first year is often different from other years, and clearly different from practice. However, three months into the program you probably have a pretty good idea of what it will be like, so I expect you are making an informed choice.

You should review your contract, and see what it says about terminating. Usually, there is a 60 or 90 day minimum. If not, I still recommend giving your PD 60 or 90 days notice.

Luckily, people are killing each other to get cardiology spots. Chances are that with 60-90 days notice, your PD can fill your spot. In fact, one of my US grads this last year was unable to get a spot and would love one -- I bet there are 100's of similar stories.

As far as future jobs, that will not be a problem. You're unhappy in cards, but like IM. That's fine, and people will be happy to hire you. Evenif your current PD where to try to "blacklist" you they wouldn't get very far -- if your previous IM PD speaks well of you.

If you simply walk into your PD's office and quit tomorrow, that can be seen as unprofessional and have some lasting effects. Even with this, it's certain you'd be able to get a job (and honestly, most people won't care)

Good luck!

 

[Archdelux]

Hello. I was wondering if this situation is very common (that is, going into a fellowship and not liking it as much as IM)? If someone (or the OP, if he is still arround) has experience with this--what was so different that changed your perception of the field so much?

 

[5Burros]

Well, the situation is a little more common than you think, only it's not that apparent because people want the income payoff of cardiology. It depends on your life situation, but the wrong program can make the difference between hating something so badly you're sick when thinking of going to work, versus being able to tolerate it. I think many people don't love it, but tolerate it because they can. If you don't love it, but you're in a malignant program, tolerating it becomes extremely difficult.
As far as people liking IM better, I think that's a little rarer. Most people I know don't, and think I'm crazy for liking IM so much. But everyone's different.