Please help my friend w/ his residency options.

[peony]

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He's a 3rd year med student and trying to narrow down his choices. I have some ideas, but I'm only a premed whereas you guys have "been there," so I thought I'd consult the boards. He's looking for

1) A lifestyle speciality (hours more important than salary)

2) Very limited (or no) surgical and surgery-like procedures.

3) Not psych or path.

Thanks so much!!

 

[Blade28]

But the question is, what is he interested in?

Or does he really not care? All he's concerned about is lifestyle and no procedures?

BTW, is this "friend" your husband? 😕

 

[peony]

Hi Blade28. Thanks for the response! For now he's only done his ob/gyn rotation and hated the hours and procedures (and is pretty sure he'll dislike all surgeries). I know he has a bunch more stuff to do to find his niche (so I'm probably asking this question prematurely), but I was just curious what was out there.

Oh yes, it is my husband, ha! But he's also my (best) friend.

 

[yaah]

You know, to be honest, if you start trying to pick a field based on eliminating ones you don't like, it's going to be tough to ever be happy. Why don't you/he look for things you like about medicine, and find fields that fit that best. Don't worry so much about eliminating fields.

A third year resident will figure out pretty early if they like medical fields, surgical fields, or neither. If neither, then you have to try ancillary fields.

 

[doc02]

Oh yes, it is my husband, ha! But he's also my (best) friend.

Aw, how swee -- *baaaaarf*

LOL, j/k.

 

[peony]

Thanks yaah! Sadly, he's so miserable now he's not even sure if he's going to do a residency. 🙁 I will just wait it out and hope he finds something he clicks with.

 

[mmag]

How about radiology?

 

[3dtp]

Hi Blade28. Thanks for the response! For now he's only done his ob/gyn rotation and hated the hours and procedures (and is pretty sure he'll dislike all surgeries). I know he has a bunch more stuff to do to find his niche (so I'm probably asking this question prematurely), but I was just curious what was out there.

Oh yes, it is my husband, ha! But he's also my (best) friend.

Yaah is correct. OBG is a tough one to open the door too. I had a different experience and nearly ended up in the field. I just loved every bit of it....well maybe except waiting 4 hours for a primip to squeeze one out...
Most medical fields do have procedures of one sort or another.

Once he's had a number of rotations under his belt and in the swing of things he'll find his niche. Or make an informed decision to become an engineer. Some find internal medicine as interesting as watching paint dry in a dust storm, despite the occasional procedures. Others would fall asleep doing radiology. For now, give it some time, knowing in advance that he'll have some cool rotations and some real dogs. For those, make him a nice dinner, with candles and wine....

And just in case anyone's interested, my wife was my best friend too, and I hers. So ignore those cads in the world who will probably never know that joy.

 

[do2b2007]

Has your husband considered doing a public health related residency/fellowship? I think that might be an option. From what I read in other boards, it seems there are several preventive medicine fellowships out there. However, I think most of them might require completion of at least one year postgraduate training (ie internship).

 

[IndyXRT]

Thanks yaah! Sadly, he's so miserable now he's not even sure if he's going to do a residency. 🙁 I will just wait it out and hope he finds something he clicks with.

Fortunately, not every rotation is as bad as OB/GYN. I'm sure most people have gone through a bad rotation and wondered if they shouldn't have done something else with their lives. I know I did.

 

[mmag]

Occupational/environmental medicine is also an option since many programs have a built in MPH.

Has your husband considered doing a public health related residency/fellowship? I think that might be an option. From what I read in other boards, it seems there are several preventive medicine fellowships out there. However, I think most of them might require completion of at least one year postgraduate training (ie internship).

 

[EM_Rebuilder]

Sit back and relax.... repost this question next June if he still has no clue.

 

[Blade28]

Agreed, it's still early - wait until he finishes his MS-III year and see what he likes.