Need advice on leaving mid-year (post-intern year)

[aerogale]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I am a US allopathic grad and have already completed a preliminary internship in internal medicine prior starting to a subspecialty residency. I am now a few months into the subspecialty training, and have become discouraged and miserable in the field that I chose. Despite the hard work at times, I enjoyed my internal medicine year. I'm thinking of leaving the program, doing some research in a lab, and finding an IM program where I can finish the last 2 years.

I don't need a letter from my current PD for future endeavors, but I would like to leave my current program in a tactful way. Is it possible to leave mid year or would I be breaking contract? How much advance notice should I give? Who should I give notice to? Obviously the PD, but should I also let the GME office know?

Thanks, any advice would be appreciated.

 

[deleted109597]

You usually give 60 days, but read your contract if you're curious. On the flip side, if you find a job, you can quit starting tomorrow if you want.

 

[Winged Scapula]

As noted above, most programs are required to give you notice and its expected that you give the same, but you could leave tomorrow if you wanted to screw over your fellow residents.

On another note, why do you say you don't need a letter frm your current PD? While it may not be helpful in matching since its a different specialty, IMHO it would raise a red flag if you didn't. I personally would want to see a letter frm every PD you had if I was evaluating you for a position in my program. Its ok to leave, but I want to know under what terms you left in the form of a letter from the PD.

So I would not assume the above isn't true and would try to not burn any bridges. There are a few here who did and tell pretty ugly stories of trying to get hired elsewhere.

 

[WaterAvatar]

Just curious as to what residency specialty you are leaving? and what was most miserable about it for you