Integrated Interventional Radiology Programs

[bleepblorp]

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I am a rising MS4 and have been looking into the new integrated IR programs. As of now, there are 44 programs which have been accredited. I have been trying to find out which programs will require surgical preliminary years, but have not been able to find a list. I know that Mount Sinai in NYC will require a surgical prelim year...does anyone know of other programs that do as well?

 

[JoshSt]

There's no such list, you'd have to look on each program website - many of which I doubt are up-to-date. If you don't want to do a prelim surgery year, don't. I imagine the only one's where it will be 'required' are categorical programs like University of Arkansas.

I did a prelim surgery year and found it very valuable but the 'need' to do one is over-hyped. When I interviewed and there were 5-6 IR integrated programs the PD at one of the alleged top 1-2 programs advised me to do whatever I wanted and said that transitional was best in their opinion - one that you could cherry pick your electives.

But seriously, do whatever you want. I was very location-biased for prelim programs. I didn't get an interview at the one transitional program I really wanted based on location so I chose surgery over medicine. In lieu of the longer hours, I much preferred medical school rotation surgery over medicine. I did a low, but fair number of primary minor surgeries and looked at a lot of abnormal and postop CT's. I don't regret it a bit and think it will be valuable for IR and diagnostic radiology.

 

[bleepblorp]

Awesome...thanks for the reply

 

[rufaterd]

When you interview, and they say you should do a prelim surgery if you're really interested in IR, go ahead and say you're planning on it. If it's not categorical, you're not obligated to rank prelim surgery in your supplemental ROL, so you could do a TY or prelim medicine. I'm doing prelim surgery this year, and I'm know my co-IR/DR residents are not doing prelim surgery. I'm hyping myself up for it, but it will not be easy.

In the future, when they secure funding, IR residency programs will be categorical like UVA. But for now, do what you want.

 

[NWwildcat2013]

So how many spots does 44 programs come out to. In the last match there were only 5 approved programs for 11 spots. Can I assume a similar ratio and say there are about 90-100 spots?


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[bleepblorp]

So how many spots does 44 programs comes out to. In the last match there were like only 5 approved programs for 11 spots. Can I assume a similar ration and say there are about 90-100 spots?


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something i've been wondering as well

 

[GooseWing]

something i've been wondering as well

I think its safe to estimate there will be around 100 spots. That being said, the program directors had a large meeting at SIR this year and announced to the gathered medical students that they estimated 150 spots available for this year's match. I believe there is one more round of program approvals before we all submit ERAS.

 

[RadsFTW123]

I think its safe to estimate there will be around 100 spots. That being said, the program directors had a large meeting at SIR this year and announced to the gathered medical students that they estimated 150 spots available for this year's match. I believe there is one more round of program approvals before we all submit ERAS.

Yikes. 150 spots already? Plus some "independent spots". Are they totally trying to ruin the job market or partially? Really hope that's not true.

 

[Fab5Hill33]

There's 250 IR fellowship spots per year in the current system. Why would having 150 IR/DR positions ruin the market? It takes 6 years for someone who matches into IR/DR to graduate. By that time the IR fellowship spots will be phased out.

 

[m3db01]

Sorry to revive this thread but since it was already made, figured this would be a nice place to ask this question: Are there any stats available on the applicants who matched into IR integrated programs? I'm trying to figure out what kind of CV and scores I need to match into one of these programs.

 

[Radz123]

None that I have seen. I would imagine the average applicant has step scores above the national median and class rank in the upper half of their graduating class. IR definitely won't be attracting the Ortho/ENT/Plastics personalities so you don't have to worry about competing against maniacs.

 

[end of july]

None that I have seen. I would imagine the average applicant has step scores above the national median and class rank in the upper half of their graduating class. IR definitely won't be attracting the Ortho/ENT/Plastics personalities so you don't have to worry about competing against maniacs.

I disagree. Half of people interested in Radiology are typically specifically interested in IR. I expect there will be around 500 people applying for these 100 or so spots. Furthermore, the average step1 of Rads applicants is 241. I would expect that IR will be able to select the strongest applicants from within that pool and will likely have a step1 average of 245+ similar to Ortho/ENT etc.

 

[m3db01]

I disagree. Half of people interested in Radiology are typically specifically interested in IR. I expect there will be around 500 people applying for these 100 or so spots. Furthermore, the average step1 of Rads applicants is 241. I would expect that IR will be able to select the strongest applicants from within that pool and will likely have a step1 average of 245+ similar to Ortho/ENT etc.

You think it will be that competitive?...that is freaking me out 😱

 

[end of july]

You think it will be that competitive?...that is freaking me out 😱

I do. It's a combination of not enough spots, tons of applicants, and selection from an already high scoring specialty. The only thing that has kept me from freaking out is that if it's something you truly want there will be a way down the road to get it.

 

[Radz123]

If you don't have the scores just go in the back way through radiology. You may end up having to do a longer IR fellowship to match your counterparts but you'll still get there.

 

[shark2000]

I disagree. Half of people interested in Radiology are typically specifically interested in IR. I expect there will be around 500 people applying for these 100 or so spots. Furthermore, the average step1 of Rads applicants is 241. I would expect that IR will be able to select the strongest applicants from within that pool and will likely have a step1 average of 245+ similar to Ortho/ENT etc.

Not true.

 

[end of july]

Not true.

That was per my program director. There were 270 fellow applicants out of 1000 diagnostic rads residents in 2015. The trend is definitely people losing interest in IR through their residency than vice versa. At the outset as medical student applicants there is probably much more interest.

 

[Cognovi]

That was per my program director. There were 270 fellow applicants out of 1000 diagnostic rads residents in 2015. The trend is definitely people losing interest in IR through their residency than vice versa. At the outset as medical student applicants there is probably much more interest.

Is 270/1000 = one-half or am I crazy?

 

[end of july]

Is 270/1000 = one-half or am I crazy?

The trend is people losing interest in IR so at the outset (medical school applicants) apparently is around a half. This is from one program director in one school, I have no other sources for this information although it seems right IMO.

 

[shark2000]

The trend is people losing interest in IR so at the outset (medical school applicants) apparently is around a half. This is from one program director in one school, I have no other sources for this information although it seems right IMO.

As a medical student, I think you should at least understand that when n=1 the p value is not significant.

On the other hand, I know some people who become interested in IR during residency. Some people may choose IR because they can't do DR all the time or some choose it because of job market.

 

[end of july]

As a medical student, I think you should at least understand that when n=1 the p value is not significant.

On the other hand, I know some people who become interested in IR during residency. Some people may choose IR because they can't do DR all the time or some choose it because of job market.

I think you're losing sight of my original point which is that this year's IR match will likely be absurdly competitive.

 

[shark2000]

I think you're losing sight of my original point which is that this year's IR match will likely be absurdly competitive.

Your original point may or may not be correct buy is based on false logic.

 

[m3db01]

If you don't have the scores just go in the back way through radiology. You may end up having to do a longer IR fellowship to match your counterparts but you'll still get there.

I think my scores are competitive, but I'm having trouble figuring out what is necessary to have on the resume to feel confident I'll get an interview at an integrated IR program. I have a decent amount of research but not in the field of IR or radiology, decent grades, great step score...but are we projecting this IR integrated residency to be ENT/derm/plastics level difficult to get into? Or is it like current rads/EM/IM/gen surg level? I was assuming somewhere in between but 100/500 matching and even like 100/270 matching makes that even harder than ENT/derm/plastics if that means more than half of people won't match...I find that hard to believe...

 

[redoitall]

I'm having trouble figuring out what is necessary to have on the resume to feel confident I'll get an interview at an integrated IR program.

Not sure even the program directors know at this point. It will all depend on the demand and the background of the applicants. Many predict it will be competitive. It will likely draw from an extended pool of applicants, particularly those interested in surgery (and surgery sub-specialties) but with a less grueling lifestyle. However, what if they don't fill all the spots? Then it will not be seen as competitive (even though if I do believe that programs will attract many excellent applicants).

In other words, give it your best shot and see what you can land. I would also caution you that since it is the first year this program starts, to plan for a backup plan, just in case.
Finally it would not hurt to get in touch with a few PDs, or interventional radiologists to know what the job entails. I do hope you did rotate with the IR department to make sure you know what you are getting into.

I wish you the best of luck.

 

[m3db01]

Not sure even the program directors know at this point. It will all depend on the demand and the background of the applicants. Many predict it will be competitive. It will likely draw from an extended pool of applicants, particularly those interested in surgery (and surgery sub-specialties) but with a less grueling lifestyle. However, what if they don't fill all the spots? Then it will not be seen as competitive (even though if I do believe that programs will attract many excellent applicants).

In other words, give it your best shot and see what you can land. I would also caution you that since it is the first year this program starts, to plan for a backup plan, just in case.
Finally it would not hurt to get in touch with a few PDs, or interventional radiologists to know what the job entails. I do hope you did rotate with the IR department to make sure you know what you are getting into.

I wish you the best of luck.

Thanks for the well wishes. I will definitely talk to a PD (I think my school is supposed to have a program in the next year or two) and interventional radiologists. We have a radiology elective that I am signed up for at the end of the year and will definitely try to get more IR exposure during that (its so hard during clerkships...really wish I shadowed more during preclinical years!) Really think this career is for me though!