Reapplying during PGY1 of path

[lbj4life]

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Hey guys, I will be starting as a PGY1 in path this July. Path was the back up specialty I applied to. Ive grown increasing concerned about job prospects and the number of fellowships required these days just to find a job. I also feel like I'll miss clinical care. I've decided I want to reapply to family medicine during my PGY1 year. Im a DO with step 1 220s step 2 240s Level 1 620s level 2 500s. Im top quarter of my class. Assuming my PD will write me a decent letter, how risky do you think it is to reapply for FM? I understand I may lose my current spot in my residency when I tell my PD my plans about reapplying.

 

[caffeinegirl]

I doubt you will lose your current residency spot - they need the bodies. You should do what you want - life is too short otherwise. If you miss clinical care, then you will never be happy in pathology. Start the process of switching sooner rather than later. It isn't unheard of for residents to switch specialties after PGY1.

 

[gbwillner]

Path and FM could not be more different. One is focused on making definitive diagnoses, working the clinical zebras, and applying cold logic, the other is a social job, taking care of patients' physical and emotional well-being, for mostly the same common conditions. Night and Day, IMO. Do what you want. Getting a FM spot is somehow easier than a Path one, so I'm not sure you need to worry.

 

[Med Director New England]

Sounds like your heading back to FM. This is the next 30 years of your life - you should have a career in what you actually like.

your year in path will not be a total waste. Having some knowledge of what happens to a tissue or blood specimen when you send it off to the lab will be helpful.

I don’t believe FM is all that competitive so you should be all set

 

[Spaziergängerin]

Focus your PGY1 attention on the things that will make you a better family medicine provider. In CP, pay attention to proper lab collection, interferences, indications for transfusion, and differences in adults/peds in testing. In surgpath, pay attention to cancer staging, read the final reports and learn to understand them. Be honest with your attendings about where you are headed, most of them will help you. If your schedule allows, spend some time trying to understand pap smears, and some gyn for family medicine. We've had a few residents decide on a different path and have always been happy for them and supportive in my experience. There's a lot you will learn in the 1 path year that will make you a better primary care physician.

 

[Mad Jack]

Should be fine unless you're applying exclusively in a place like California

 

[lbj4life]

Should be fine unless you're applying exclusively in a place like California

That’s also another thing. I strongly prefer to stay in California as my family and SO are all here.

 

[Mad Jack]

That’s also another thing. I strongly prefer to stay in California as my family and SO are all here.

Odds aren't bad, but California is more of a crap shoot, there just aren't many FM programs compared to domestic applicants so I would hedge your bets with community IM or something

 

[lbj4life]

Odds aren't bad, but California is more of a crap shoot, there just aren't many FM programs compared to domestic applicants so I would hedge your bets with community IM or something

Sounds fair. Not opposed at all to community IM. Thank you!