Lifestyle: Rads vs. Anesthesia

[Cuts]

I've been interested in these two fields for a long time now. They both represent the type of work I'd like to do as a physician... limited but meaningful patient contact, above-average pay, and few chronic and/or life-threatening diseases to deal with. I've always been leaning a bit more toward Anesthesia b/c it's been less competitive... until this year. Now that Anesthesia spots are almost as hard to get as Rads spots, I'm not sure which one I ought to shoot for. As of yet I'm still uncertain about how the lifestyles of practicing these two specialities compare. Call, hours/week, weeks/year, etc... I know these can be highly variable depending on what type of practice one goes in to, but I'm just hoping for some general opinions. Any thoughts or opinions? Thanks a lot.

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[rad]

"Now that Anesthesia spots are almost as hard to get as Rads spots"
Not even close. Radiology is still much more difficult to match into. Also it is tough comparing the lifestyle in the two fields as there are so many different options after graduation from residency. In Radiology you can find private practice jobs these days with minimal call and very short partnership tracks or even work part-time making more than many other specialists. You can find jobs in Rad. where you work like a dog and make close to a million. So it all really depends on you and what you want.

 

[Jim Picotte]

I'd seriously set up some meetings/rotation times with some anesthesiologists and radiologists to get a better feel for the fields. You don't want to match into a field that you hate. Both have relatively good lifestyles which depends on what type of group you get into and how much you want to work and earn.

While getting more competitive, anesthesiology isn't nearly as tough as rads yet (at least not this year). If the trend continues it will be though but for the next couple of years, you should be able to get a spot if you want one. Good luck.

 

[Sevo]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Cuts:
•... limited but meaningful patient contact, above-average pay, and few chronic and/or life-threatening diseases to deal with. •••••I seriously recommend doing an anesthesia rotation before you go any further.

 

[John90210]

If you want to avoid life threatening situations/stress of dealing with really sick people, I would suggest not looking at anesthesia. Anesthesiologist work near life threatening situations all day. You really need to do some rotations and see what you like. The two fields are very different.

 

[navs]

Dear John,

I have to echo u sentiments on how vastly different the fields are!!

In anesth., even though it is becoming less common, u are always dealing with patients that can potentially die, i.e. pts. being operated on. vs. Rads where u don't have to worry about a person dying under ur care.

The lifestyles of the these two fields are 2 of the BEST in all of medicine, but the fields themselves are rather different. At least that is my opinion.

Good luck.