Soon to complete IM, want to switch to rads

[rs2006]

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Hi everyone,

I hope all is well. I am currently a third year IM at a "highly-ranked" institution and will be finishing my residency at the end of june. I find myself towards the end of my residency confused regarding my future career plans. I enjoy the cerebral and academic aspect of internal medicine and am realizing that I really do not enjoy clinical medicine-- the day to day endless paperwork, phone calls, families and family meetings, difficult. Anyway, I was a solid student in medical school and my step 1 score was ~220, step 2 ck ~low 230s, passed cs on first attempt and got 240 on step 3. I passed all exams on first attempt. Regardless, I have been considering a career change to radiology, but wanted to get some input from anyone who has done this before as this would be a major decision. I have been training at an incredibly intense IM program and unfortunately have not had much time during my training to persue researc/publish anything. I have, however, done very well on my in-service training exams during my residency. I would be grateful if anyone could provide any advice as to how realistic my chances of getting a spot would be given my profile (above) and any advice from someone who has switched from IM to Radiology after completing an IM residency. While I know Rads is less intense in terms of actual working hours during residency, I have heard from many Rads residents that most of their time during residency outside the hospital is spent reading-- any thoughts on this-- how many hours/week do rads residents spend reading?
Thanks in advance for your responses.

 

[peduncle]

yo Apache!! what if you're not an FMG? Can you reapply for the match after a residency in Internal Medicine as an american grad. Do they still look at step 1/2 scores at that point or do they also look at your performance in the residency.

I'm sure there's a more qualified person to ask these questions to but you give the most entertaining answers.

 

[rs2006]

Hi everyone,

I appreciate all the advice-- thanks, but I just wanted to clarify that I am NOT a foreign med graduate-- I am a US graduate. Please help with any more advice-- thanks!

 

[drivesmecraazee]

No. Once an IMG always an IMG. (Before someone goes pointing fingers YES I am an IMG -- bogus carib school. Never denied it.)

They look at all 3 of those.

Where are you from? Where did you study medicine? Excuse me for these questions man, Im just curious, I think the legend must reveal his identity.

P.d: Im not judging, Im costarrican, currently studying in my home country... Excuse my english

 

[C Chance]

I just realized I misunderstood your question. Sorry.

Yes you can apply for rads anytime... before, during, or after IM residency, or any residency for that matter.

They still do look at Step 1 and 2 scores. They will look at residency performance too.

WAIT - what about funding issues for a rads spot after completing 3 yrs of IM? How can you get a spot without LOR from Rads guys if you have not done any electives?