Surgery switching to Gas

[tri]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi all,
I am currently a PGY 3 categorical surgery resident at a respectable community program who is contemplating switching to anesthesia. Call it "burn out," but I have lost my enthusiasm for surgery and can't picture myself devoting my life to a surgical career. I am technically competent and have high ABSITE (inservice) scores (>90th percentile). I still want to do procedures and I had an interest in anesthesia in medical school.

I was wondering if you guys could give any advice about going through with the switch? I plan on informing my program director and contacting every anesthesia PD I can find to inquire about open spots. I know the chances of a 2006 spot are almost nil since that's next month, but hopefully 2007. Any insight on what my chances of a successful switch would be appreciated. I have heard that many anesthesia programs are open to switching surgery residents.

This isn't an easy decision for me so I appreciate any help any of you may provide. I enjoyed my anesthesia rotation and in talking to many of the attendings, they seem very happy.

Thanks in advance

 

[UTSouthwestern]

Hi all,
I am currently a PGY 3 categorical surgery resident at a respectable community program who is contemplating switching to anesthesia. Call it "burn out," but I have lost my enthusiasm for surgery and can't picture myself devoting my life to a surgical career. I am technically competent and have high ABSITE (inservice) scores (>90th percentile). I still want to do procedures and I had an interest in anesthesia in medical school.

I was wondering if you guys could give any advice about going through with the switch? I plan on informing my program director and contacting every anesthesia PD I can find to inquire about open spots. I know the chances of a 2006 spot are almost nil since that's next month, but hopefully 2007. Any insight on what my chances of a successful switch would be appreciated. I have heard that many anesthesia programs are open to switching surgery residents.

This isn't an easy decision for me so I appreciate any help any of you may provide. I enjoyed my anesthesia rotation and in talking to many of the attendings, they seem very happy.

Thanks in advance

Do a search on this topic to get some of the more detailed threads on the same topic.

In summary, contact any program you might be interested in transferring to by e-mail or phone and ask about the availability of any positions for either '06 or '07.

Be persistent. There may not be a spot this month, but next month one may have magically appeared.

Get all of your records in order (transcripts, Dean's letter, etc.) and have LOR's ready to go and consider applying through the match again as a backup plan.

It just takes a little footwork but I would start immediately as some programs start giving away out of match spots for the next academic year ('07) in the spring.

 

[Hockeyguy]

I had an interest in anesthesia in medical school.

Why didn't you match into anesthesiology out of med school? What about it made you choose surgery over it? I'm really not trying to be rude but what makes you think you'll be that much happier in anesthesiology. Everyone sort of switches into our field when their original career choice doesn't work out. I know its a great field and not to single you out at all man but for some reason I'm getting sick of people thinking of anesthesiology as a "back-up" when surgery or OB/Gyn or whatever doesn't work out. I hope you don't feel that way. I know a few residents that switched in our progran that honestly said they aren't that much happier after the switch. Again just curious don't want to ruffle any feathers I know UT switched too - from IM I think...

MC

 

[fakin' the funk]

Everyone sort of switches into our field when their original career choice doesn't work out. I know its a great field and not to single you out at all man but for some reason I'm getting sick of people thinking of anesthesiology as a "back-up" when surgery or OB/Gyn or whatever doesn't work out.

Is this attitude very prevalent among practicing anesthesiologists? If you were interested in anesthesia from Day 1, is that seen as a plus when you're interviewing or talking to attendings?

 

[Hockeyguy]

Is this attitude very prevalent among practicing anesthesiologists? If you were interested in anesthesia from Day 1, is that seen as a plus when you're interviewing or talking to attendings?

Going back and reading that post I sort of come of as an a s s - sorry. But I won't lie it does sort of fire me up when I hear quotes from classmates like "you could do (whatever competitive field) why are you doing anesthesiology"? I guess thats where my irritation comes from because I like anesthesiology and though I considered other things like we all did - I went with what I liked not with what sounds cool at your high school reunion. I know its hard to make a descion - so switching career paths is going to happen - just don't look as anesthesiology as you "back-up" we'll be just fine with or without refugees. But as a side we will probably never be as competive as say ortho - but my prediction is with the increased popularity it may be harder to switch in so easily... Just a guess though.

 

[tripod]

To answer hockeyguy who has a valid point

I was deciding between anesthesia and surgery in medical school. At the time, I was more thrilled with operating (cutting) and all that stuff. The thrill of that has diminished. On top of that, certain aspects of surgery are very unappealing to me such as the long post op care and clinics which are absent in anesthesia. Part of it is a lifestyle choice but for surgeons, the thrill of operating is what drives most of them and that's what keeps them going. I have lost that. Anesthesia has the advantages of being able to do procedures, immediate gratification (pharm-wise), less of the rounding/clinic and reasonable lifestyle. I don't know if you agree with this but I'm trying to be honest from my perspective.

 

[Hockeyguy]

To answer hockeyguy who has a valid point

I was deciding between anesthesia and surgery in medical school. At the time, I was more thrilled with operating (cutting) and all that stuff. The thrill of that has diminished. On top of that, certain aspects of surgery are very unappealing to me such as the long post op care and clinics which are absent in anesthesia. Part of it is a lifestyle choice but for surgeons, the thrill of operating is what drives most of them and that's what keeps them going. I have lost that. Anesthesia has the advantages of being able to do procedures, immediate gratification (pharm-wise), less of the rounding/clinic and reasonable lifestyle. I don't know if you agree with this but I'm trying to be honest from my perspective.

I believe you and really wasn't try to break balls. I'm sure you are doing the best thing for you and your family/situation. I was just venting about people thinking of anesthesiology as "back up" as if our specialty is what you do when all else fails. Anyway sorry I blew up. Good luck in finding a spot I'm sure you'll get one.

MC