Surgery to ER?

[DO_Surgeon]

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Hello all, I am a third year general surgery resident at an osteopathic general surgery program, and am begining to think that surgery isnt all for me. I have always enjoyed my ER rotations as both a student and intern, plus now that I have been moonlighting I realize that I may have made an error in choosing surgery. What are my options if I wish to pursue ER? Apply in the match like all other 4th year med students? I have passed all three levels of the COMLEX, and never took the USMLE. Do allopathic programs require the USMLE? I have done very well thus far in my program, but just am thinking I may have made a mistake. Also is there a limit on how many years you can be a resident? I thought I read somewhere the medicare only funds for a certain number of years so if I have completed 3 years of GS and went and did 3 years of ER would that be funded? Thanks to all you respond.

 

[DOnut]

I sent you a PM

 

[Jeff698]

I suspect that you'll need to go through ERAS like the students. I doubt the COMLEX would be a problem at all. You'll likely be able to get 6 months credit for previous training but I think that's the maximum.

The program you match with, I think, will have to pick up your salary for reasons that I don't understand. I suspect that there will be some programs that would still like to pick you up because of your prior experience. I'd say that experience will make you a stronger candidate.

Finally, welcome to the 'dark side'. 🙂

Take care,
Jeff

 

[olafa]

I suspect that you'll need to go through ERAS like the students. I doubt the COMLEX would be a problem at all. You'll likely be able to get 6 months credit for previous training but I think that's the maximum.

The program you match with, I think, will have to pick up your salary for reasons that I don't understand. I suspect that there will be some programs that would still like to pick you up because of your prior experience. I'd say that experience will make you a stronger candidate.

Finally, welcome to the 'dark side'. 🙂

Take care,
Jeff

Can't comment on the COMLEX point.

Surgery is an assest for the procedures things done in EM. Some programs actually want a surgery prelim year as intern/ while others prefer more medicine. So, it may be worth it looking into those programs that will give you the maximum credit for your time already put in. I say go for it. If you don't you will always be asking yourself, "what if I did such and such...." this way atleast you can say you tried. You will definately lots the change in work hours compared to surgery.😀

 

[OneManBand]

I made that same switch from surgery to ER after 2.5 years of surgery back in 1995. I've practiced ER for 12 years now (ER residency from '97-2000) and am switching careers again. I think it depends on why you want to do ER. If being a family minded person is important I would caution you against ER. It becomes very difficult as you approach 40 to handle the night shifts and flip-flopping schedule of shifts from day to night. ALso giving up 2 weekends a month for the rest of your career and half the holidays and Spring Breaks (kids out of school) for the rest of your career kind of bites after a while. Even urgent care or stand alone ER centers don't get around the problem of being off on weekends or home at night during evening hours to help spouse with kids. If you are single or married and don't plan on having kids and your spouse also works, ER would probably work out great. Whatever field you switch to, I would not worry about funding issues for your salary. It never has really come up for me. I used to ask about it. Most places say they have other resources for funding.(i.e they don't have to rely solely on the medicare funding rules of only funding a person who started in surgery for 5 years)

 

[Jeff698]

I made that same switch from surgery to ER after 2.5 years of surgery back in 1995. I've practiced ER for 12 years now (ER residency from '97-2000) and am switching careers again.

So what are you switching to? Just curious.

Whatever it is, good luck.

Take care,
Jeff

 

[DrQuinn]

You shouldn't have a problem. YOu have two options... you can apply to DO EM programs, and you DEFINATELY won't have a problem there. Generally speaking, they are much less competitive than the MD EM programs.

And even at an MD EM program, I think you would stand a good chance of bein ga good applicant. You will just need to get a good LOR from an EM guy (maybe even the EM docs where you do residency at), and cast a large net, ie, apply to a lot of places.

I had several of my attendings in my residency who did 1-4 years of general surgery and switch into EM.

Q

 

[OneManBand]

Jeff,
I'm half way thru an anesthesia program. I can certainly say that I won't be switching again. Hope Scott & White is treating you well.
KK