Question from an MS2

[mules05]

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Hey folks,
I'm a 2nd year med student, so obviously the actual pressure to make a specialty choice is a while off, but I'm trying to set up my clinical rotations schedule and I'm finding that while they tell us it doesn't matter if you don't know what you want to do, you end up at a disadvantage if you don't schedule things right for the specialty you want to do. (Note: at this point I'm realizing what a whiny little kid I may sound like, so feel free to ignore if you don't have advice to give).

I'm leaning toward anesthesia, but my only basis for that is reading about specialties and taking a few of those "what specialty is right for you" tests- and I feel that it's naive to choose a specialty based on just that, rather than real experience. I'm just wondering whether most people knew before clinical rotations that they wanted to go into anesthesia, or if it was a late in the game decision. If I don't choose to schedule my 3rd year around an anesthesia elective, I'll have no exposure to it until, at the earliest, first block of 4th year (and have to set up at 4th year schedule having made a career decision without all the important info). If you're going into anesthesia, did you know early? What's the best way to find out whether it's right for me (other than reading the FAQs, the ASA website, and every website google has under "choosing a medical specialty" and "choosing an anesthesia residency")?

Just some slight "what should I do with my life" anxiety...any advice (including "chill out") appreciated.

 

[rugtrousers]

You end up at a disadvantage if you don't schedule things right for the specialty you want to do.

That's mostly untrue. If you are interested in a super-competitive specialty (read: radiation oncology, combined plastics, derm, ortho) you should try to get involved in research relating to that field and make some contacts during your third year, but scheduling of your clinical rotations doesn't matter a whole lot in my experience. What you don't want to do is apply to a residency program before you have some substantive clinical experience in that field.

I'm just wondering whether most people knew before clinical rotations that they wanted to go into anesthesia, or if it was a late in the game decision.

Again, in my experience, 11 out of 100 people in my class went into anesthesia, and only 1 of them knew before rotations that that was what he wanted. I decided in March of my third year when I did a two week rotation, then I did another 4 week rotation in September of my fourth year and applied for residency during that rotation.

What's the best way to find out whether it's right for me (other than reading the FAQs, the ASA website, and every website google has under "choosing a medical specialty" and "choosing an anesthesia residency")?

The only way to know is to do it (that is, do a rotation in it), and to talk to anesthesiologists in the field. If your school is not strong in anesthesia, consider a visiting student rotation at a place where anesthesia has a more prominent presence. I decided on anesthesia because I love the acuity of it, I love procedures, I like pushing drugs and seeing what they do, I like calming down patients when they're totally freaked out, and because anesthesiologists by and large are HAPPY, in contrast to folks in so many other specialties.

Good luck to you. And relax. 😛

 

[Bertelman]

If you have a serious interest, do the rotation during third year. It would likely ease any anxiety you have over choosing, and either cement your interest in anesthesiology or make you realize you like something else. If that's not possible, though, don't worry too much about it. But certainly do the 4th yr rotation as soon as posible, like July or August. There are some schools that don't offer an MS3 rotation at all. They still produce anesthesiologists.

 

[Duckie24]

This may seem so obvious that you haven't even thought about it, but I would highly recommend you talk to one of the anesthesiologists at your school. I'm sure there is a student coordinator for your rotation. My school does not offer a 3rd year rotation in anesthesiology, so I "stole" as much time as I could during my surgery and OB/Gyn rotations to be with the anesthesiologists and get a feel for it.

 

[fakin' the funk]

I'm leaning toward anesthesia, but my only basis for that is reading about specialties and taking a few of those "what specialty is right for you" tests- and I feel that it's naive to choose a specialty based on just that, rather than real experience. I'm just wondering whether most people knew before clinical rotations that they wanted to go into anesthesia, or if it was a late in the game decision. If I don't choose to schedule my 3rd year around an anesthesia elective, I'll have no exposure to it until, at the earliest, first block of 4th year (and have to set up at 4th year schedule having made a career decision without all the important info). If you're going into anesthesia, did you know early?

I think there's no denying that knowing what you want to do early is an advantage, even in the "somewhat competitive" fields like anesthesiology. So how else can you know besides those online specialty quizzes?

Dude, do some shadowing. If your school has an interest group, talk to them. Go ask at your anesthesiology department who the med student rotation coordinator is, and talk to that person about shadowing. Go talk to the chair of the department and express your interest, he/she will hook you up. If all else fails, skip class, show up at the ORs while the residents are setting up, and ask if you can follow them around!

Me, I became primarily interested in anesthesiology by the end of my MS1 year. It was through shadowing, ICU electives, reading about the specialty. It seems like most people, however, become particularly interested sometime after their surgery clerkship! 😀

The situation you cite (no real exposure until early MS4 year) is exactly the reason why your school should/might have a student interest group.

One last tip: when your school's match list comes out, find those people who matched in anesthesiology and ask them why they chose it and what the best rotations or mentors are at your school. They can give you the inside scoop unique to your school.

 

[mules05]

Thanks to all who responded. I'd been trying to set up shadowing through my student dean (although apparently that doesn't seem to be the most efficient route). Since posting my first question, I actually happened to talk to a girl I know who's going into anesthesia, and she gave me a lot of good info, including a guy to go shadow, who set up time for me on rounds and in the OR like within an hour of my emailing him. I feel like I'm going through like a delayed adolescent angst..."what if I THINK I like this but I DON'T KNOW MYSELF AT ALL and I choose wrongly because I THINK I LIKE THINGS that are WRONG FOR ME!!!" (cue emo music). Again, thanks for the advice, and it definitely helps to know that one can decide on a specialty after 4th year's started and still do ok.