peds CTS: oh bother, it's that little voice again.

[epsilonprodigy]

So I've talked myself out of peds CTS a bunch of times, just because it seems so impractical. (You need talent, luck, long training, few spots….blah blah blah.) But here I am, applying to gen surg, and I still find myself undeniably drawn to this field. I worked in a PICU before med school and was absolutely fascinated with the repairs I saw.

The biggest stumbling block: I'm ancient! (Early 30's.) Is it best if I talk myself out of this once and for all, based on my age alone?

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[ThoracicGuy]

I wouldn't get too caught up with your age. Do what inspires you. If that's congenital heart, then thats what you work towards doing.

 

[doc05]

its patently ridiculous for you to decide on the such a specialty as a med student.
the fact is that most surgeons are not good enough to do congenital hearts, but you won't find out until you are well into gen surg training.

good luck.

p.s. based on your age, it's not a good choice. figure 10-12 years of formal training, then several more as junior faculty. you won't be doing cases on your own until you're 50. plus its a very very small job market.

 

[epsilonprodigy]

...which is why I haven't DECIDED anything. If I had somehow managed to truly decide on this, I'd have applied for categorical CTS residencies. It's merely an area of interest. Since I'm in the process of selecting where to interview, I do find myself getting a bit more excited about programs that boast a good case volume of Fontans and such.

As for the skill: so bothersome, yet so true! I can tie knots with my eyes closed, draw/knit/eat with chopsticks/insert other activity people usually rattle off to "prove" dexterity, but I'm smart enough to know that I have no idea if I'm surgically adept or not. Fortunately, if I find myself in PGY-3 and realize that I'm just average in this way, I'd have no problem sticking with one of the many other areas I'm interested in that doesn't demand quite such magic hands.

 

[Nivens]

(Anesthesia resident lurking)

I met a surgeon from Puerto Rico who trained in the states. He completed internal medicine residency, cardiology fellowship, practiced for a year or two, returned to GS residency, CTS fellowship, congenital fellowship. He now is back in PR practicing. I quizzed him for awhile (he was observing our congenitial surgeon operate on one of his patients). Didn't seem to have any regrets. He has four daughters, now grown, and is still married. My guess is he's a horrific golfer, but really seemed to love what he does.