switching residencies

[radtopedi]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey Guys and Girls,

Frequent lurker, new poster with a real big question. So I started my radiology residency recently, after doing 1 year of IM, the intent was to do either peds IR or peds rads, after doing one year of IM turns out I really enjoy medicine (but not the adult patients), even the day to day stuff, and furthermore, ever since I matched I've been having reservations about the field. Peds was my other choice, did a couple of AIs, including the NICU, and actually went as far as applying to pedi programs and even went on a couple of interviews. After some, retrospectivally bad advice, I chose radiology, the advice being "you can always switch out of it, but it's much harder to switch in". Now I find that I cannot possibly do this for the rest of my life, I want to be around patients, help their families, I even like writing H&Ps. I did medicine prelim for particularly stupid reason, namely a relationship that didn't pan out, so don't even have a peds prelim to fall back on.

I am pretty dead set on doing peds, could easily see myself being a peds hospitalist as much as a sub-specialist (most intersted in nicu and cards). I would like to get a position at a "good" residency (i.e. one with high fellowship match rates) just in case I do want to do a fellowship, also I've learned that there is quite a discrepency between "good", and "not so good" residencies regarding PD, PC, ancillary staff etc. My issue is I did have some peds letters written from my AIs, I have emailed my old letter writers to see if they could update the letters, but have not heard from them yet. I have several very strong letters from my medicine prelim, including one from one of the assistant program directors, and my Step 1-3 Scores are very solid, and a very nice summary of my AI/Ped clerkship in my Dean's Letter. But given the chance that I may not be able to obtain a pedi LOR, do I stand a chance of getting interviews/positions for the aforementioned "good" programs, a la Boston, CHOP, Baylor, etc. Also, do any of the top programs take people outside of the match?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Stitch]

I think you probably stand a pretty good chance of getting in somewhere decent, and your time in radiology will be immensely useful to you for the rest of your life. So don't consider it wasted time even though you'll probably have to do another intern year in peds. You will likely receive some elective credit from your current residenty and previous internship.

To be honest there are a ton of 'good' peds programs, so look beyond the typical 'top ten' programs. The first thing I'd do is contact the peds department where you are. Even if you don't want to stay there, they are likely to be able to help you. Your current letters, if they are strong as you say, will be very helpful as well, so don't count them out. People will be interested to know that you're a hard worker and that this time you are choosing the right residency.

Good luck.

 

[blanche]

People have switched in before--off hand I've heard of Gsurg to peds, IM to peds...so while it's not a common path, it's certainly not unheard of. I agree w/above, if you have good letter writers that is probably the most that matters. Plus, it matters that you have letter writers who can assess you now, as a resident and not as a student. So while they are not peds, I might argue that they are going to be one of the first things programs would want to see. The fact that you have done a number of peds rotations and subIs also will work in your favor. Writing a personal statement that lays it all out will be important. But I don't think you'll have much issue in getting interviews to strong programs.

There are plenty of great peds programs that will put you where you need to be come fellowship app time. Be sure you look at big academic places that have a good mix of the subspecialties (sounds simple, but if you are thinking of cards you might want to be somewhere that has good cards exposure, CT surgeons, for ex.) but also smaller spots with strong reputations (hopefully, your peds contacts can help you out w/this)

Finally, this is intern year #2. Don't discount how much it might drain you. Peds intern year can be taxing, like medicine. I'd be mindful of workhorse programs (yes, they exist in peds) given you are looking at a long road if you do a peds subspecialty. The thought of repeating intern year makes me cringe. You'd do yourself a favor if you factored schedule and resident happiness high in your considerations.

But that being said, this is a great field and while making decisions like this are tough, you seem to be doing it for all the right reasons. I think you'll find many supportive people along the way. I agree w/Stitch, it will be a great start to talk to the peds PD whereever you are. Good luck and keep us posted!🙂

 

[pruritus]

radtopedi--I sent you a PM.

I am a current peds intern who just made a similar switch, and am SO happy I did! It definitely can be done, and I found that peds programs were very receptive to my application and need to switch. I did a lot of the things that other posters have mentioned--talked to the Peds PD at the hospital where I was at for my other residency, got back in touch with my medical school for help getting letters, wrote a personal statement that clearly addressed why I needed to switch. The other thing I would say is to be as up front with your current program as possible about your need to switch. Being honest will help them prepare for your departure, and you will need their help (letter from current PD) to make the switch. Peds spots outside the match for PGY1 seemed hard to find, since it depends on someone dropping out, but you never know.

 

[radtopedi]

Hi guys,

thank you all for the great advice and motivation, one of the aspects that I love about peds is that EVERYBODY from every sub-specialty, hospital etc. is super supportive, I'm very much looking forward to having you as my colleagues. But enough brown nosing 🙂, I have a legitimate question, I'm filling out my ERAS application and I was hoping some people (current residents/fellows/attendings) could comment on which programs have the following charactersitics.

1)decent amount of resident autonomy
2)chances to perform procedures (paras, thoracs, central lines) w/o getting bumped out of the procedure by the fellow (I know that going to a top program sometimes this is considered an acceptable sacrifice, but I really don't want to go into fellowship being completely clueless)
3)High match rates for cards,nicu or PICU (i'm very procedure oriented)

thanks again

 

[Sweet Tea]

Not that I'm biased, but my residency sounds a lot like what you're looking for. I'll send you a PM.

 

[BigRedBeta]

Not that I'm biased, but my residency sounds a lot like what you're looking for. I'll send you a PM.

Have the same feeling about my program. OP - check your inbox.

 

[radtopedi]

thanks for the heads up guys, I have added both of those programs to my application list.

 

[radtopedi]

hey pru, i left you a private message

 

[RinRin]

Hi SweetTea and BigRedBetta -

Do you mind sharing? I'm interested in programs like this as well. 🙂

 

[Erina]

Hi SweetTea and BigRedBetta -

Do you mind sharing? I'm interested in programs like this as well. 🙂

Me too!

 

[radtopedi]

hey pru, I sent you another message