Switch to Radiation Oncology

[SwitchtoRadOnc]

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Hello Everyone,

I am a long time poster on these forums and am currently a resident in a very specialized field. I am have second thoughts about my chosen field and am seriously considering switching to Radiation Oncology. I have great step 1 and 2 scores but no research in the field. I have published only in my specialty and do not know how far that will go. I would like to know whether i should considering switching at all given the fact that it is already a competitive specialty and just complete my residency and move on with my life. I have ready extensively about the field and am drawn more and more every time I learn more about. I hoped that I would not be this drawn and am constantly thinking about changing my field.

Anyone have any advice they can offer?

P.S. Currently a PGY-3

 

[napoleondynamite]

Hello Everyone,

I am a long time poster on these forums and am currently a resident in a very specialized field. I am have second thoughts about my chosen field and am seriously considering switching to Radiation Oncology. I have great step 1 and 2 scores but no research in the field. I have published only in my specialty and do not know how far that will go. I would like to know whether i should considering switching at all given the fact that it is already a competitive specialty and just complete my residency and move on with my life. I have ready extensively about the field and am drawn more and more every time I learn more about. I hoped that I would not be this drawn and am constantly thinking about changing my field.

Anyone have any advice they can offer?

P.S. Currently a PGY-3

What field are you switching from? Why not just complete your current program, then consider a switch? You must be close if you are a PGY3. Well, maybe not if N.Surg or something.

I think a transfer even within the field is tough from one program to another. Programs are very leary of transfers. To transfer from another specialty I think would be an uphill battle. Your best shot is probably at the department within the hospital system where you are doing your current residency.

 

[SwitchtoRadOnc]

I appreciate your advice. I enjoyed both RadOnc and Ophtho as a medical student and I ended up choosing Ophtho and I feel like I may have made the wrong decision. I will try my own home program but was hoping that there may be some other anecdotes posters on this forum may remember.

 

[napoleondynamite]

I personally know several people who have successfully matched in RadOnc after completing an IM or other residency. However, I don't personally know of anyone that has switched midstream. Hopefully someone else can give you some guidance. My own personal feeling is that to have a shot at this, you would have to have a very supportive PD in your Ophtho program who is 100% in your corner, or you probably won't be able to find a position.

Best of luck to you. You are right that radonc is a sweet field. If you are truly passionate about it, you will find a way. Try to snuggle up with the radoncs in your home program and confide in one of them that you would love to switch. Maybe someone can help.

 

[SwitchtoRadOnc]

Thanks for the support , I wanted to know what the best way is to see if there are available positions on the east coast and if they are open, what is the best way to find out if the programs are accredited? I will start sending out e-mails and see if this is even possible. I just miss treating the rest of the body and this itch is not scratch-able.

 

[Abnormal Saline]

Radiation Oncology is truly a great field, however, I would suggest exploring the field a little more closely if you're serious about switching. It would be beneficial to spend some time in a Rad Onc department following residents/attendings in order to get an idea of what it is they do all day. It would be a shame to make a switch to Rad Onc then be disappointed because you only read wonderful things about the field instead of having personal experience in a department.

Switching to the rad onc department in your own institution would likely be more difficult than sliding into a different place. PDs don't want to get into that business. Also, your PD has to be a very strong advocate for you to even get consideration in another department, rad onc or otherwise. All rad onc programs are accredited; a small number(2-4) are on probation. ASTRO's website will have information on openings. Just remember that you will be competing with applicants who have letters from radiation oncologists and research in the field.

Before any of this, I would recommend re-evaluating why you chose Ophtho and trying to re-ignite the spark in your relationship with that awesome specialty. It would be worth your time to have a candid conversation with discrete Ophtho residents and attendings about the myriad of opportunities in that field upon graduation.

This forum is a very biased place to get advice about switching to Rad Onc because everyone here thinks that this is the best field regardless of whatever it is that you enjoy doing. Here, you'll get advice about how to get in this field without people truly thinking about what's best for YOU! Have you placed this same post in the Ophtho forum?

I wish you all the best of luck!

 

[subatomicdoc]

This forum is a very biased place to get advice about switching to Rad Onc because everyone here thinks that this is the best field regardless of whatever it is that you enjoy doing.

Bias is unavoidable, but I agree with all of Abnormal Saline's comments. In listening to your comments, though, it sounds like you've rotated in rad onc before and liked it.

You have to decide if it's worth the switch, but for the amount of time you've invested in medicine you should be happy with your final career choice. If you're dissatisfied at work, "moving on" with your life doesn't mean you'll be happy. Happiness is in the eye of the beholder...and yes, pun intended.

If you want to reassess rad onc, I suggest you use a vacation week to see about a 'rotation' to shadow and see if it scratches that itch. I don't know your current home institution, but in New England the best choice to explore is Tufts. Maybe others can suggest other East Coast options.

As for the research experience in rad onc, don't feel like you're at any disadvantage. Frankly I think three years' experience with direct patient care responsibility and a proven track record of research during residency already? More important will be references from your program if you decide to apply for rad onc.

Also, if you have an interest in procedures and have a lot of vitreoretinal experience, a brachytherapy-oriented program might be very interested in you as a candidate. If I were a program director, it's a no-brainer if it looks like a good fit.

 

[OneStrongBro]

My sister is a PGY3 IM resident and in the same boat. I told her to do a med onc fellowship instead of rad onc she still prefers radonc. Does that sound crazy or what. Preferring 4 years of rad onc training vs 2 years for just med onc.
any thoughts on this situation. would the rad onc physicians agree with me on this or am i missing something by advocation a rad onc residenxy instead. 2 years seems long for vwry similar line of work.

lastly wouldnt pds prefer fresh med students because of decreased funding of pgy3s? it seems money would be an issue. gfunk? anyone?

 

[Gfunk6]

Other than the "oncology" part, Med Onc and Rad Onc have little in common, so I don't think your sister is crazy for considering one over the other, despite the increased training time at this point.

Since she has already finished her IM residency she would receive decreased funding relative to a new resident and this would probably adversely affect her chances of getting into Rad Onc but not insurmountably.

Unfortunately, I personally can't relate any further information about switching residencies because I've never really talked in depth with someone who did so.

My sister is a PGY3 IM resident and in the same boat. I told her to do a med onc fellowship instead of rad onc she still prefers radonc. Does that sound crazy or what. Preferring 4 years of rad onc training vs 2 years for just med onc.
any thoughts on this situation. would the rad onc physicians agree with me on this or am i missing something by advocation a rad onc residenxy instead. 2 years seems long for vwry similar line of work.

lastly wouldnt pds prefer fresh med students because of decreased funding of pgy3s? it seems money would be an issue. gfunk? anyone?

 

[Reddykvm]

How does one feel about a switch from Med Onc to Radonc !! Chances of matching ?