Switching Specialties Advice

[lakers120]

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Hi, I am a PGY-1 currently completing a a TY year matched to an advanced program in DR. However, I am currently considering a switch to IM as I have enjoyed the clinical aspect of my intern year significantly more than I had anticipated. Now I am currently doing a radiology elective where I am drafting studies and being treated as a radiology resident, and I cannot help but miss being involved in clinical decision making and with patients directly. To the point where I was genuinely happier during the 80 hour weeks I had on my previous rotation compared to my radiology rotation right now.

I would consider myself to be a strong candidate - Top 25 MD school, AOA, 27X step 2, mostly honors on clinical rotations, multiple publications that are mostly radiology related. My question is - how would I go around switching at this point. I am already past the ERAS application date for this cycle. Is my best chance to reapply again next year? Does anyone have experience with applying late to ERAS with a similar circumstance? And is it a red flag to withdraw from my advanced program? What are gap years that one can pursue as a resident that would keep them competitive for matching? Ideally I would match to a strong academic program if I can.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[NotAProgDirector]

The first thing to do is be certain this is what you want, as much as possible. It will be almost impossible to switch back to radiology should you make a change. That said, this happens to a small number of people who end up wanting to change.

The first thing you do is apply for a match waiver. It's automatic as long as you submit it before mid January, for reason of "specialty change". Your rads program will put your spot back into the match as an R position and fill it - so no harm will come to them. You'll want to reach out to your future rads PD to explain what's happening. There should not be any hard feelings or problems.

Then, you start looking for an IM spot. You can start now, although you can't actually accept a spot until your waiver is approved. Many TY's can count as an IM PGY-1 (depends on their content), so you may be be able to start as a PGY-2, or perhaps a foreshortened PGY-1. Your first stop should be the IM PD at your TY institution assuming there is one. They can start alerting you to open spots that may get advertised. You'll be very competitive in the IM match. If you have a certain location / city in mind, then you could reach out to the programs in that locale to ask whether they might have openings. It's early for there to be openings now, but they may likely develop as the year progresses. You'll want to tune your TY as much as possible towards IM experiences.

 

[GoSpursGo]

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