Switching from Categorical IM to Advanced PMR

[misyel]

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I have a question regarding a friend of mine who has a little bit of a predicament in her hands right now. She loves PMR, and interviewed at several advanced PMR positions, but had also interviewed for categorical IM as her back-up. She found out that she matched in a categorical IM position, and is very sad about it. She has accepted the possibility of being an internist; however, she knows deep in her heart that she wants PMR, and is considering switching to PMR after her PGY-1 year.

What are her options in making this a reality without causing an uproar within her current residency program? How receptive are programs about residents leaving their program after the first year? What is the proper way of communicating with PMR programs about her interest? What would be her chance of getting into PMR the second time around, when she did not match the first time? And what are the chances of her getting into a residency program that she already interviewed at but didnt match into?

Thanks for all the advice!

 

[pirate]

It is certainly possible, and I know of someone who has done this. Things might be easier if there is a PMR program where she is in IM. Either way, I would recommend not "resigning herself to being an internist". With a whole career in front of you, you shouldn't do something you won't enjoy. That being said, getting out of her current position depends on her program director. If the PD is understanding that people's interests change, and that the resident is unhappy, they might be more willing to let her go. Also may depend on the state of the residency program. Say they had someone else leave, and then didn't fill this upcoming class, and will be short staffed- harder to let someone out of a contract at that point. However no one wants someone who doesn't want to be there, and in reality, these changes happen, especially in medicine, which is often a "fall back" choice because of the number of vacancies every year.

Check this board often, I've seen PGY2 openings posted in the forums. She would take a year off, as none of them would start for a year, unless she contacts some of the programs that did not fill last year (do a seach, these were posted here before), and would need folks to start in July. I would have something in writing from the PMR program before I went to my IM PD. And I would let the PMR PD know that my starting would be conditional upon my release from my IM position.

I wish her luck

 

[ampaphb]

It is certainly possible, and I know of someone who has done this. Things might be easier if there is a PMR program where she is in IM. Either way, I would recommend not "resigning herself to being an internist". With a whole career in front of you, you shouldn't do something you won't enjoy. That being said, getting out of her current position depends on her program director. If the PD is understanding that people's interests change, and that the resident is unhappy, they might be more willing to let her go. Also may depend on the state of the residency program. Say they had someone else leave, and then didn't fill this upcoming class, and will be short staffed- harder to let someone out of a contract at that point. However no one wants someone who doesn't want to be there, and in reality, these changes happen, especially in medicine, which is often a "fall back" choice because of the number of vacancies every year.

Check this board often, I've seen PGY2 openings posted in the forums. She would take a year off, as none of them would start for a year, unless she contacts some of the programs that did not fill last year (do a seach, these were posted here before), and would need folks to start in July. I would have something in writing from the PMR program before I went to my IM PD. And I would let the PMR PD know that my starting would be conditional upon my release from my IM position.

I wish her luck

Now that is a remarkably sophisticated analysis. Nicely done.

I would only add that staying in touch with any PD or program chair in a region she would be willing to consider might also put her at the top of the list when an unexpected opening appears. You might let her know that a large number of them have their email addresses on the AAP website.