Narrowing things down...

[reidmike]

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Hey everyone,

I'm sure this topic has been discussed an infinite number of times, but I am wondering if any of you can help me narrow fields down for next years match based on my interests.

So I am a third year right now. So far I've completed psych and neuro rotations and am about a month into internal med. From psych I enjoyed listening to patients' stories and the interesting views they had about the world around them. The thing I didn't like was that it would seem difficult only to be able to treat with meds and many times without them getting much better. In neuro I really liked the neuro exam itself and correlating physical deficits with radiological findings, but I didn't like how it was mostly the same complaints (e.g. migraines, memory loss, etc.). So far in internal I don't really enjoy the hours involved (though I have only experienced inpatient so far), but I have been really interested in the GI cases more than anything else.

Basically, what I want out of my career includes: long term relationship with patients, possibly minor procedures, no high risk stressful surgeries or patients on the brink of death (I tend to be a laid back type), not very research oriented mainly clinically oriented, and relatively flexible hours. I have ruled out general surgery, obgyn, peds, and family medicine at this point. My step 1 was a 242 and so far I've done well in my courses along with one research project related to adhesions that has not been published yet. I helped create an interest group and have been involved in multiple community service events. I have also presented two or three posters including one at a national meeting.

If you all could give me some insight based on my description of some fields that would sort of fit my description/be competitive for I'd really appreciate it! I know I have quite a few rotations left, but just wanted to get your opinion. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks!

 

[DocHawk117]

i think ultimately only you will be able to decide what you want to spend the rest of your life doing (my talent of stating the obvious). but, if you don't find yourself ultimately drawn to one area, consider picking an area in which you get along with the type of people you'll be working with everyday. I have a few friends that were interested in 3-5 specialties, and just decided to go with the one in which their personalities fit best with their co-workers, and they all seem happy with their choices.

 

[evilbooyaa]

I would say that if you're completely undecided and can't figure out what you want to do, make a decision on the following question: Do you see yourself in IM or surgery?

IM has a lot of different paths that are all off-shoots from the original IM residency.

Surgery (I'm not 100% sure) also would seem to have various subspecialties post-residency.

I would say that if you are completely lost when you have to make your decision (which is still close to a year away), pick one of the two above.

Like I said, it's a complete back-up plan, and if anything else you rotate in or get the chance to see for even a day sounds/feels right, go for it.

Just saw that you ruled out surgery, and that you are pretty interested in GI cases. Minor procedures without high risk surgeries, as well as long term contact with the same patients all are attributes of becoming a gastroenterologist (which is done AFTER an IM residency), FWIW. Just my 2 cents.