Switch from rads to EM?

[Lux Aeterna]

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Hi, I am a PGY2/R1 in a top tier East Coast radiology program. I would like someone to be honest with me if there's any chance I could switch to emergency medicine? Is it worth even cold emailing/calling program directors? I am just not happy in radiology (I can go into why if anyone asks/cares). My scores, pedigree, whatever are all fine.

I can supply more information if needed.

 

[EMFreakz]

i'm interested, what's the reason for wanting to switch?

be careful, as your program director might get wind of you wanting to switch if you do cold call.

check saem.org as they post openings.

hope it turns out well for you!

 

[Venko]

I switched from psychiatry to EM and made cold calls. you definitely have a chance, but I wouldn't expect too much credit for your training thus far...you may have to start completely over (which I personally recommend)....in any case, good luck with everything!

TL

 

[dotcb]

yes - you can do it and probably should if you're not happy doing radiology. you'd need to try to scramble into a spot this year after the match, or, more realistically, just interview for next year's cycle. if you've done respectably in your current program, your current residency director should support you in the process. need to schedule a meeting with them to discuss how you're feeling currently. someone in my program switched from rads to EM; he interviewed for EM as a transitional intern. realized he chose the wrong field shortly after matching. we need happy docs in all fields; do what you enjoy.

 

[Birdstrike]

Why you want to switch is everything. Losing a year or two in the long run means nothing if the change makes you happy. Why do you want to switch?

 

[Residual]

Hi, I am a PGY2/R1 in a top tier East Coast radiology program. I would like someone to be honest with me if there's any chance I could switch to emergency medicine? Is it worth even cold emailing/calling program directors? I am just not happy in radiology (I can go into why if anyone asks/cares). My scores, pedigree, whatever are all fine.

I can supply more information if needed.

Please do.

 

[BADMD]

Hi, I am a PGY2/R1 in a top tier East Coast radiology program. I would like someone to be honest with me if there's any chance I could switch to emergency medicine? Is it worth even cold emailing/calling program directors? I am just not happy in radiology (I can go into why if anyone asks/cares). My scores, pedigree, whatever are all fine.

I can supply more information if needed.

Can you switch? Certainly possible. There are two ways to do it.

1 - reenter the match. I believe that radiology gives you 5 years of funding, of which you have/will have used 2. Realistically, I don't believe you can enter the match this year, so after your PGY3 year, you'd only have 2 years left. A 1-3 program would have to absorb 1 year of your funding. Some will, some won't.

2 - Find an open PGY-2 spot in an EM program. This is slightly better, but can be more difficult. Typically, you only get 0.5 years of credit for your intern year. However, ABEM has been known to give 1 full year of credit for some individuals, depending on how far along they are. This would be the ideal solution as it would preserve your funding and let you enter EM sooner. It is a less sure way, as you need to find a place that has an open spot. You have to be superflexible and take whatever becomes available.

 

[BADMD]

I almost forget the Residency Vacancy Service of SAEM:

http://www.saem.org/saemdnn/Home/Co...esidencyVacancyService/tabid/152/Default.aspx

 

[erin682]

Why you want to switch is everything. Losing a year or two in the long run means nothing if the change makes you happy. Why do you want to switch?

Agree. When my program has interviewed applicants that have switched from other specialties the big question is why are the unhappy in their current field and why do they want to switch to EM in particular. Be prepared to answer those questions over and over.

 

[deuist]

We had a former radiology resident join us. It's certainly doable (he cold called many places), but even he admits that it's a tough route.

 

[Bioengineer]

I'm not convinced (yet) that you really want to do this. The daily life of a radiologist vs the daily life of an ER doc are SO different! It would be a definite culture shift for you. Tread carefully, of course, and listen, I'm a PGY2 also. I know that this time of year kinda sucks in most specialties for the PGY2. You know enough of your field to have some responsibility in the hospital, yet you are still low man on totem pole and get crappier shifts, schedules, etc.

Just be sure about this HUGE shift before you take that plunge. As a 4th yr med student I considered Rad Onc before ER, totally different fields, but found a love for ER over Rad Onc ultimately, so I feel you. Just be sure before you jump.

 

[p53]

Leaving radiology and going into ER are two mutually exclusive decisions. Just because you are sure you want to leave radiology doesnt necessarily mean is a better fit. Only thing you know is that you dont like radiology. Now take some time to decide a better specialty based on your personality. Dont rush into anything. The last thing you want to do is switch into ER and wanting to switch to Anesthesiology. Jump out of radiology but take some time before you reach your next specialty. You have the grades, USMLE score to get into any specialty. The key is to take your time and NOT rush into ER. Plenty of open spots in all specialties. Even if you sit out one year that is a price worth to pay to find a better fit.

 

[p53]

For the record, I am not a fan of ER as a specialty. Great short term benefits out of residency i.e. money for only 3 years of training but I am not sold on the long term benefits of a career in ER ie malpractice, night shifts, drug seekers, adrenaline rush at 30s becomes apathy towards patients in your 40s and lastly lack of professional respect among physicians in the hospital because of your soft admissions to CYA.

 

[ryandote]

.

 

[housemd]

I just made the same switch, it is a difficult decision and a tough switch, but found I just couldnt force myself to like radiology. It can be done, dont let people discourage you. After all, you have to do what you like or else you wont be happy.

 

[sideways]

I've read a lot of your previous posts and I have no doubt that this will be hard for you to comprehend: Some of us don't live and die by professional respect from people who don't really understand what we do.

In his defense, that was one critique among many.

 

[alexmtr]

Some of us don't live and die by professional respect from people who don't really understand what we do.

👍 👍 👍


If you don't think you'd like something, don't understand it, and don't think it'll stroke your ego enough - don't do it... During 3rd and 4th med school year I found the whole 'different specialties talking s**t about each other and then calling each other for a consult 5 min later' rather comical.
Sure, we all like different things about medicine - I did find quite a few ‘highly desirable’ specialties painfully, mind-numbingly boring.... it never occurred to me to go to the specialty X forum and tell them why I wouldn't do it... 🙄