Thinking about switching to anesthesia...

[superunknown04]

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Hey all,

I am currently a pgy-2 categorical general surgery resident, and I am considering switching out of general surgery into a different field. I am not decided yet if I will switch, but if I do I am looking really hard at anesthesia.

About me:

Graduated a ranked med school in '03.
Step I = 220
Step II= 210 (took it pretty late and just wanted to pass...)
Step III = not taken yet.
Surgery Inservice exam > 90th percentile.
Generally pretty good intern year evaluations.

I am currently at a middle to upper-middle-tier univ. program. I have no idea how to switch. Is it absolutely necessary to go through ERAS, or are there any resources out there for identifying CA-1 positions that are open? And if I do have to go through ERAS (even if I'm applying for a CA-1 spot only), then does anyone have any idea about how to get letters of rec?

Basically, it is difficult to get these kinds of answers from anyone at work, because if it gets out that I am even thinking of leaving the program for another field, I am gonna take some heat. Also, if it gets out, and I don't get a spot in anesthesia then I might be seriously f***ed. I risk having my surgery contract not renewed, and then I will have no job. At this stage I just want to gather information, and keep things on the wayyyyyy down low.

So I guess, if anyone has any advice about how to start gathering information, gauging my competitiveness, etc... I would really appreciate it.

Thanks.

 

[apma77]

apply thru eras first...many programs will ask for a letter from your PD which means at some point youll have to let them know...MOST PDs in surgery will not like the fact that their resident is planning to leave and will write a very mediocre to bad letter.

surgery program directors are not exactly the most understanding and sympathetic individuals and many will go out of the way to ruin the rest of your career if they can once they hear bout your intentions

this is a very delicate situation and youre rite if you dont match into anesthesia your surgical program will most likely make your life miserable from that point and not renew your contract.

 

[UTSouthwestern]

There has been a recent post on this topic. It has a number of solid suggestions and apma is correct with his assertions. I would contact every program you may be interested in or whom you feel may be interested in you and notify them of your desire and your background. I'm sure that most would say that you have a chance at an open spot, but you have to find the open spots and programs willing to keep you in mind should a spot open up.

 

[joshmir]

Is someone required to sit down with you and give you feedback about your performance after every block? is there a formal periodic intern/resident review? if so there may be eval forms that you could ask to xerox...or make nice with the secretaries in your departmetn and ask to review your evals, then xerox them...you probably have not waived your right to them.

then, you an use these in helping to secure a spot. prospective pd's will know they have not been tainted by the bias against you for wanting to leave.

 

[Tenesma]

i would email program directors directly from a relatively safe email address (yahoo, hotmail, etc...) and tell them your situation, if they sound interested in taking you (meaning that you would start either right away/Jan 2005 ro July 2005) then you can divulge more info.... hold off on ERAS until you figure that out, because it may be a LOT easier to do it outside of the match... Feel free to contact MGH (we typically get 1-3 gen surg residents per year who switch) though...

 

[UTSouthwestern]

Echoing Tenesma's thoughts, my program also typically holds 2-3 spots open per class to fish for residents outside of the match. This year we will have at most two available and the applications are already piling.

 

[apma77]

contrary to tenesma's thoughts i recommend going both inside and out of the match process , that way you broaden your horizons..most programs like mgh and utsouthwestern recives ALOT of apps outside of the match because people are lookin to switch to anesthesia

so..if i was you id go thru eras and apply separately to the open spots that come up

 

[superunknown04]

Thanks for all the great advice.

Does anyone happen to know what selection criteria is important for transfer types like me?

Also, what's the deal with starting in January. There is a guy I know who transferred from another residency into anesthesia in January. Is that common, or is that kind of a special, negotiable thing?

Thanks again!

 

[Justin4563]

dUDE\

I WOULD NOT GO THROUGH ERAS... YOU DO NOT NEED YOUR INTERN YEAR.. SO JUST APPLY TO THE PROGRAMS DIRECTLY, LET THEM O FFER YOU A POSITION OUTSIDE OF THE MATCH.. going through the match is too much of a pain in the ass. if you talk to the right people they will offer you a position outside of the match pending letters.. then you ask for letters or recommendation.. this is what to do.. feel the programs out by phone calls. and dont talk to the secretary.. DOnt do it.. Call the program director or the chairman and have a personal conversation with them.

 

[Justin4563]

oh and why are you leaving the wonderful world of surgery?

 

[yeb22]

HOw do I do that? I am gen surger prelim intern at UMDNJ, with no spot for PGY-2 yet. I would like to get a spot in anesthesia. IF I just start calling programs I doubt the program directors will get on the phone with me? Thanks.

Yitz Belsh

dUDE\

I WOULD NOT GO THROUGH ERAS... YOU DO NOT NEED YOUR INTERN YEAR.. SO JUST APPLY TO THE PROGRAMS DIRECTLY, LET THEM O FFER YOU A POSITION OUTSIDE OF THE MATCH.. going through the match is too much of a pain in the ass. if you talk to the right people they will offer you a position outside of the match pending letters.. then you ask for letters or recommendation.. this is what to do.. feel the programs out by phone calls. and dont talk to the secretary.. DOnt do it.. Call the program director or the chairman and have a personal conversation with them.