Switching to pathology, advise me!

[MrPotatohead]

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[2121115]

hi guys, wanted to get some advice on my decision to switch to path. I've had some significant experience in informatics prior to medical school, and have always wanted to work in the field. So as a US med grad I didn't match to my field of choice because I think I came across as ambivalent over my choice -honestly i think the field i settled on didnt match my interest in informatics.

Scrambled into IM intern year, completed a pretty grueling pgy-1 and took this year off to get involved in research and get my bearings again. After working with some private practice pathologists, I've regained my passion for medicine and want to do a pathology residency, and path informatics fellowship.

so what're my options, having missed the application season? I've called many places for off-cycle positions, sent out many CVs, and have a packet ready for scramble season. I'd rather not sit out another year for applications, but will if it turns out that way.. what other options do i have?

First, I would think hard about this decision. There are many fields in medicine where you can apply your interest in informatics. Only do pathology if you can't imagine yourself doing anything else.

Secondly, if you are sure that pathology is the only choice for you, I would wait and go through the match. More often than not, programs that take residents off cycle are not the strongest programs and likely didn't fill in the match for one reason or another. Training at a program with a weak reputation can make your future placement prospects even tougher.

Good luck!

 

[APCPBBNP]

Swith to anything else, but not to pathology!

 

[wild0ne]

hi guys, wanted to get some advice on my decision to switch to path. I've had some significant experience in informatics prior to medical school, and have always wanted to work in the field. So as a US med grad I didn't match to my field of choice because I think I came across as ambivalent over my choice -honestly i think the field i settled on didnt match my interest in informatics.

Scrambled into IM intern year, completed a pretty grueling pgy-1 and took this year off to get involved in research and get my bearings again. After working with some private practice pathologists, I've regained my passion for medicine and want to do a pathology residency, and path informatics fellowship.

so what're my options, having missed the application season? I've called many places for off-cycle positions, sent out many CVs, and have a packet ready for scramble season. I'd rather not sit out another year for applications, but will if it turns out that way.. what other options do i have?

First off, glad to hear you've found an interest in pathology. Quite a few folks are not exposed to it during medical school (aside from the typical 2nd year course), and therefore do not consider it seriously. Having worked with pathologists, you should already be familiar with the pros and cons of the field.

I would caution you not to go into pathology solely for informatics, however. Ultimately, you're a pathologist, and you have to love the pathology too. To my knowledge, employers will likely want additional skills besides ones required for informatics. For example, a surgical sub-specialty + informatics will likely make you more marketable.

As to your situation, I wish I could be of more help. I imagine just picking up the phone and calling programs would not seem unreasonable. Although at this point, it is late in the game and scrambling may be a realistic option. It's worth a shot, since a few strong programs in the past have had unfilled spots. Just be ready to explain the nontraditional route, with an emphasis on your experience in pathology.

 

[caffeinegirl]

Just an FYI, Informatics is definitely compatible with pathology, as we are the largest disseminators of information in the medical field (think about the millions of laboratory testing done in CP).

There are pathology departments that are strong in informatics, and that offer pathology informatics fellowships. MGH is one of them:

http://path.mgh.harvard.edu/education/pathology-informatics-curriculum/
Victor Brodsky was our first informatics fellow last year, and set up the above site, as well as many internal projects.

For more information about the fellowship:
http://www2.massgeneral.org/pathology/train/fellowships.htm#INFORMATICS

And of course, the APIII conference is all about informatics in pathology...which is the future of the field. They offer travel awards to trainees (including medical students) to attend the conference for free.

http://apiii.upmc.edu/