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[raspberry swirl]

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im a fourth year starting this whole application process ... and im totally confused. i love both peds and psych, i love them equally, and i can't decide between the two. i've been debating doing a general rotating internship and applying next year, but i doubt i will feel any differently then. im pretty sure i will always love both pediatrics and pyschiatry. i've been asking my friends, family, and classmates about their opinions (bad idea, i've decided) and everyone says to do peds, no one can imagine why on earth i would ever want to do psych ... and im getting very frustrated, because no one is being objective at all! i guess im just posting because i need to hear some encouragment. i know only i can make this decision, but i would love to hear some supportive voices ...

 

[tatabox80]

im a fourth year starting this whole application process ... and im totally confused. i love both peds and psych, i love them equally, and i can't decide between the two. i've been debating doing a general rotating internship and applying next year, but i doubt i will feel any differently then. im pretty sure i will always love both pediatrics and pyschiatry. i've been asking my friends, family, and classmates about their opinions (bad idea, i've decided) and everyone says to do peds, no one can imagine why on earth i would ever want to do psych ... and im getting very frustrated, because no one is being objective at all! i guess im just posting because i need to hear some encouragment. i know only i can make this decision, but i would love to hear some supportive voices ...

Do you know anyone that has transferred from one to the other? Also, try talking to people in both fields. Also try Writing down the pros and cons to each specialty...actually looking at them might help you.

 

[PublicHealth]

Here's an idea: child psychiatry.

Another idea: Do both or a triple board.

 

[OldPsychDoc]

Here's an idea: child psychiatry.

Another idea: Do both or a triple board.

you know, I can't help but think that in the OP's user name, Raspberry Swirl, she(?) is expressing a desire to blend two flavors, as it were, yet keep them somewhat distinct. 🙂

Here's my thought--find a psych residency that allows you to fulfill some of your medicine months with pediatrics. Give it all you've got in internship.
If the peds months "feel better" to you than the psych months, then follow your heart and change programs. If not, stay in psych and start looking at child fellowships.

BTW, make sure your "pro psych" list includes the pay differential between child psych and pediatrics when you get out into practice.

Good luck! You won't be the first one torn in two over a choice like this. I assure you--it will all work out

 

[tatabox80]

you know, I can't help but think that in the OP's user name, Raspberry Swirl, she(?) is expressing a desire to blend two flavors, as it were, yet keep them somewhat distinct. 🙂

Here's my thought--find a psych residency that allows you to fulfill some of your medicine months with pediatrics. Give it all you've got in internship.
If the peds months "feel better" to you than the psych months, then follow your heart and change programs. If not, stay in psych and start looking at child fellowships.

BTW, make sure your "pro psych" list includes the pay differential between child psych and pediatrics when you get out into practice.

Good luck! You won't be the first one torn in two over a choice like this. I assure you--it will all work out

What is the pay differential between child psych and pediatrics?

 

[Anuwolf]

What is the pay differential between child psych and pediatrics?

What's the difference?

 

[luft]

Pediatricians are the lowest paid of any MD (I don't know the average) and child psych is one of the highest paid psych speicialties at something like 200k as I understand it. My situation is similar, I also like both psych and peds, but really peds isn't nearly as interesting as psych IMHO. What really clinched psych for me was actually my child psych rotation.

 

[Anasazi23]

Why you'd want to sit in an office with screaming kids, praying to God that you get the IV first shot in front of 2 beady-eyed parent yuppies that are writing your name down on their notepad to bring to the lawyer, while making about 1/3 to 1/2 less salary than that of a psychiatrist, participating in nightmarish call, and giving vaccines for the rest of your life, is beyond me.

Then again, I'm quite biased. 😉

The potential for psychiatry salaries is easily over 200k. In an urban area, you may start <100k.

 

[whopper]

If you love kids & Peds---

In several programs--you don't touch child psychiatry until your 3rd & 4th year. This isn't true of every program--just a lot of them.

If I were you, I'd way the factors. If you find both equally appealing, consider lifestyle, pay, hours at work etc.

Personally I think Child Psychiatry is a nice compromise. Besides, there's a large need for more of them then we currently have.

 

[raspberry swirl]

aww, see?? this is why i like psych. you guys are so much nicer. i know that if i do psych, i'll definitely do a child fellowship. i dont mind treating adults, but i think i just work better with kids. probably cuz i still feel like i am one and have no problems crawling around on the floor with them to play with harry, the pet therapy cat. (fyi if you dont have a therapy pet, you MUST get one. they're magic). i dont know what my hang up with peds is ... for some reason i can't get over the fact that im "leaving medicine", which i KNOW is shallow and stupid, but it's still a lingering thought. my plan as of today is to apply for mostly psych, with a few peds programs and a transitional internship or two thrown in the mix for fun, and then i can hash it out when ROLs are due ... i appreciate everyone being understanding! i posted a similar thread in the peds forum and ended up getting mildly harrassed ...

 

[raspberry swirl]

you know, I can't help but think that in the OP's user name, Raspberry Swirl, she(?) is expressing a desire to blend two flavors, as it were, yet keep them somewhat distinct. 🙂

tee hee

 

[Doc Samson]

for some reason i can't get over the fact that im "leaving medicine", which i KNOW is shallow and stupid, but it's still a lingering thought.

Child CL?