Switiching to Radiology

[otoboy]

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Hey everyone,
I am a first year otolayngology resident. I do love what I do...but, I am truly afraid not as much as I "should". I have always been interested in radiology, and to be honest, I didn't pursue it in med school because I already had too much "invested" in ENT (i.e., electives, aways, and research). Clearly things worked out for ENT, but now I am seriously considering a switch (oh yes, it pains me to even think about switching!)
I just would like to know if anyone knows of anyone switching into radiology, and if so...how would one do it? Thanks so much!

 

[Docxter]

Hey everyone,
I am a first year otolayngology resident. I do love what I do...but, I am truly afraid not as much as I "should". I have always been interested in radiology, and to be honest, I didn't pursue it in med school because I already had too much "invested" in ENT (i.e., electives, aways, and research). Clearly things worked out for ENT, but now I am seriously considering a switch (oh yes, it pains me to even think about switching!)
I just would like to know if anyone knows of anyone switching into radiology, and if so...how would one do it? Thanks so much!

A good number of radiology residents are people who switched from other fields. I personally know a couple of gen surg, 3 ENT, 1 Uro, 1 Nsurg. Just contact all the programs and send your CV in hope of something opening up. Also frequent message boards in case a program gains a few spots from ACGME or someone leaves and they post an opening. And finally consider reapplying via the match.

 

[f_w]

Ex-surgeons (and surgical specialists) tend to be lucky when looking for rads positions to switch into.
Good luck ! I know 1 ex-ENT, 5 ex-GS radiologists. It can be done.

 

[SmallTownGuy]

How should one approach the application process. I am a PGY1 now. Would I have to go through ERAS or just contact PDs informally? If I did go through ERAS, when is it appriopriate to tell my program director?

Also, is it possible to make the switch after your PGY-1 year (ie as an upper level resident)?

 

[f_w]

The problem with going through the match is that the next match is for 2008 positions.

You are probably better off cold calling lots of programs, sending your CV out etc for the case that something opens up. Not everyone is deliriously happy in a radiology residency, there are occasional switchers into orthopedics or neurosurgery.

If you are interested in interventional, there is something called the DIRECT pathway. In that setting, you would receive 2 years of credit for a prior residency.

As for when to tell your PD. Difficult question, depends on the PD I guess. Some will become your best advocate, make phone calls to their buddies in academic radiology etc. Others will go completely beserk, reassign you do 12 months of ICU straight and kick you out of the OR because 'why waste teaching on a quitter'.
Your residency contract is typically for 1 year at a time. If you want to switch to the end of the academic year, you just decline the contract renewal. If you want to leave in the middle of the year, you'll have to work something out.

 

[GammaRay]

If you went into surgery, I assume you enjoy doing procedures and having at least some minimal patient contact. If this is true, you may want to look at interventional radiology. The ABR has a program called the DIRECT (Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Enhanced Clinical Training) Pathway for people in your position. You will be able to apply to radiology and not have to sit out a year. The description from the Society for Interventional radiology Website is as follows:

"This new option is called the DIRECT pathway (Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Enhanced Clinical Training). The essential purpose of the pathway is to allow up to two years of clinical training to count toward the Diagnostic Radiology certificate and subspecialty VIR certificate. Never before has the ABR permitted more than one year of credit for non-radiology clinical years. This effectively decreases a barrier of "lost time" for those residents who become interested in the IR specialty, but have already completed clinical time in another specialty. Application for entry into the pilot program is now possible, starting with programs commencing training in July, 2004.

For a list of approved DIRECT pathway positions visit the American Board of Radiology."


http://www.theabr.org/VIR_DIRECT.htm
http://www.sirweb.org/gradEdu/VIRpathway.shtml

 

[knightrider]

If you went into surgery, I assume you enjoy doing procedures and having at least some minimal patient contact. If this is true, you may want to look at interventional radiology. The ABR has a program called the DIRECT (Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Enhanced Clinical Training) Pathway for people in your position. You will be able to apply to radiology and not have to sit out a year. The description from the Society for Interventional radiology Website is as follows:

"This new option is called the DIRECT pathway (Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Enhanced Clinical Training). The essential purpose of the pathway is to allow up to two years of clinical training to count toward the Diagnostic Radiology certificate and subspecialty VIR certificate. Never before has the ABR permitted more than one year of credit for non-radiology clinical years. This effectively decreases a barrier of "lost time" for those residents who become interested in the IR specialty, but have already completed clinical time in another specialty. Application for entry into the pilot program is now possible, starting with programs commencing training in July, 2004.

For a list of approved DIRECT pathway positions visit the American Board of Radiology."


http://www.theabr.org/VIR_DIRECT.htm
http://www.sirweb.org/gradEdu/VIRpathway.shtml

Hi. I find myself in the same situation. I am currently an ophtho resident and I would like to switch into interventional radioloigy as well. I guess my questions revolve around the logistics. I looked at the website and it doesnt really say much about board scores, grades etc. Since we are already out into the PGY2 yr, what are the admission reqs. How difficult is it to get into the direct interventional program. Thank you for your advice and help.

 

[hookaman]

As a M4 deciding whether or not to go into radiology, I was wondering why people decide to switch into radiology from a different residency. If some of you could shed light on that, it'd be very useful. Thank you

 

[f_w]

I was wondering why people decide to switch into radiology from a different residency.

Because it is radiology, duh !

Seriously. People tend to get fed with a lot of prejudice against radiology during medical school. Surgeons and internists (the type who don't know what they don't know) tend to put down radiology as a professional choice with comments such as 'who would want to sit in a dark room all day and never see patients' and other BS.

During internship and residency, some of the smarter residents notice that rads is quite a worthwhile pursuit after all. They realize that sitting in a dark room part of the day is one of the perks of the job and that limiting your patient contact to procedures and brief consultations is not a bad thing either. Then of course are other aspects such as a more controllable lifestyle (not necessarily better, but controllable) and the fairly attractive financial package.

For an internist, the choice after residency is often to do either a 3 year fellowship, or a 4 year radiology residency. The opportunity cost of the extra year is easily compensated by the on average high job satisfaction radiologists have.

 

[f_w]

I looked at the website and it doesnt really say much about board scores, grades etc.

Rest assured. If you had the credentials to get into ophtho, you will be fine in that department when looking for a rads residency.

But why would you want to leave ophtho ? If there was one specialty I would have switched into, ophtho is that specialty (as a matter of fact, when I did the switch from primary care into rads, I also looked into an ophtho slot that had opened up locally).

 

[knightrider]

Rest assured. If you had the credentials to get into ophtho, you will be fine in that department when looking for a rads residency.

But why would you want to leave ophtho ? If there was one specialty I would have switched into, ophtho is that specialty (as a matter of fact, when I did the switch from primary care into rads, I also looked into an ophtho slot that had opened up locally).

so how does the direct thing work? does their have to be a vacancies? or do u call up the programs and ask?

 

[ObGyn]

Because it is radiology, duh !

Seriously. People tend to get fed with a lot of prejudice against radiology during medical school. Surgeons and internists (the type who don't know what they don't know) tend to put down radiology as a professional choice with comments such as 'who would want to sit in a dark room all day and never see patients' and other BS.

During internship and residency, some of the smarter residents notice that rads is quite a worthwhile pursuit after all.

that could not be better said. It is so true!

 

[MD Dreams]

Rest assured. If you had the credentials to get into ophtho, you will be fine in that department when looking for a rads residency.

But why would you want to leave ophtho ? If there was one specialty I would have switched into, ophtho is that specialty (as a matter of fact, when I did the switch from primary care into rads, I also looked into an ophtho slot that had opened up locally).

f_w, not to point any fingures, but you said the same thing about urology not too long ago. If you're not happy with radiology, I'll happily take your spot anyday 😉 Personally I did a two weeks rotation in ophtho and, although it is a great specialty, I was ready to shoot myself in the head. But that's just me.

 

[f_w]

or do u call up the programs and ask?

That is what I would recommend. The DIRECT pathway is a relatively new animal. At this point, the positions mostly seem to go to disgruntled general surgery residents. I don't think there is a match and it works by direct application, but I don't know that for a fact.

but you said the same thing about urology not too long ago.

It goes for all the 'small surgical' fields. Most ENTs, ophthos uros have a pretty decent life once they get out of residency. The combination of seing patients, managing some medical conditions and doing neat surgical procedures using plenty of gizmos is one of the most attractive aspects of medicine.

If you're not happy with radiology, I'll happily take your spot anyday

I am very happy in radiology (hence the 'its radiology, duh !' line at the beginning of my post), and regardless, when my 'spot' in radiology was on the market, you where probably still working for the MCATs.

I did a two weeks rotation in ophtho and, although it is a great specialty, I was ready to shoot myself in the head.

I know plenty of ophthos on a social basis, yet to find one who is unhappy. Yes, they bitch on how you don't get 2k for a cataract anymore, but none of them wants to dig ditches instead.

 

[hookaman]

I would be curious why knightrider has decided to leave ophtho...

 

[MD Dreams]

I am very happy in radiology (hence the 'its radiology, duh !' line at the beginning of my post), and regardless, when my 'spot' in radiology was on the market, you where probably still working for the MCATs.

Sad, but true!

 

[ahhhcrap]

So, should you email or call the program director?

 

[hookaman]

If there are any other people who have switched into radiology from other fields, please let us know your reasons. Thanks