thinking about switching

[frog1]

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I am currently an IM intern having doubt my career choice. I am thinking about the possibility of switching into PM&R. Has anyone done this before? Or do you know anyone who made such a change?

 

[lobelsteve]

Perfect time to switch. I did my IM internship at UVA in Roanoke and went into PMR from there. I finished a Pain Fellowship in 2005 (salary doubles, hours improve, work becomes challenging, no hospitals) and could not think of a better pathway for my career.

Be careful in choosing a program- there will be a few spots available for folks who did not pre-match as well as unexpected openings. Search this forum for program info and go to the AAPMR and start calling mentors for assistance.

Welcome aboard.

 

[medicineman1]

interesting comment- mentors for assistance- i am post graduate, finished an internship, and want to change fields. I spent all of my spare time with a guy for 3 weeks hoping to get a letter- and when I asked- his comment to me was that he couldnt write a letter unless I had been personally treating the patients- I was very suprised. Anyway, is this the type of assistance you were referring to? For this year, for those of us who have never done a med school rotation, or a residency rotation in the field of interest- is sort of tough to be convincing re: interest in the field- know what I mean? The system is designed (for the most part) for those that know what he/she wants to do as a 3rd/4th year med student- unfortunately, very tough to switch gears after this (in my opinion)!

 

[axm397]

interesting comment- mentors for assistance- i am post graduate, finished an internship, and want to change fields. I spent all of my spare time with a guy for 3 weeks hoping to get a letter- and when I asked- his comment to me was that he couldnt write a letter unless I had been personally treating the patients- I was very suprised. Anyway, is this the type of assistance you were referring to? For this year, for those of us who have never done a med school rotation, or a residency rotation in the field of interest- is sort of tough to be convincing re: interest in the field- know what I mean? The system is designed (for the most part) for those that know what he/she wants to do as a 3rd/4th year med student- unfortunately, very tough to switch gears after this (in my opinion)!

that really is too bad - you would think he would be more than happy to help you get into the field... Were you just shadowing the guy? I would think 3wks would be enough to at least comment on your level of interest, personality, and work ethic... Was the guy an academic physiatrist? if not, maybe he's never been asked to write a letter?

Anyways to the IP, it is definitely possible to switch fields. I have seen it done many times. Mostly from FP, IM, and sometimes even surgery. I've met at least 3 physiatrists who were Orthos. It's true that the field is getting more competitive but looking at the latest data, there has to be programs still not filling with the most quality residents - so you may not be able to match at your top choice but if you keep your mind open, you should be able to get a spot.

 

[frog1]

Thank you all for your responses. I am seriously considering this field, I just wish I had known more about it before I started my residency application. We do not have a PM&R department here, could anyone describe a typical day for a PM&R resident?

 

[medicineman1]

axm- yes academic physiatrist running a a pain fellowship- this narrows it down, doesnt it, as there aren't many! I just think he sincerely didnt feel as if it were appropriate? I dont know- or he didnt like me, and I definetely didnt sense that?! Ya you would think that he'd be flattered that I was inerested in the field, etc. He read my personal statement and did comment that I shouldnt have focused on my interest in pain management from the physiatric perspective vs. the anesthesia perspective , and that rather my interest in inpatient should have been the focus of my statement?? I wonder if this will be poorly received? Well the truth is I havent done inpatient, and my interest is in pain. We'll see- with no rotation, and now no letter from anyone in the field it looks grim, although I do have two invites- both for 2008 (the other bummer - 20 months out) as I stated -it sucks to try and switch!

 

[axm397]

axm- yes academic physiatrist running a a pain fellowship- this narrows it down, doesnt it, as there aren't many! I just think he sincerely didnt feel as if it were appropriate? I dont know- or he didnt like me, and I definetely didnt sense that?! Ya you would think that he'd be flattered that I was inerested in the field, etc. He read my personal statement and did comment that I shouldnt have focused on my interest in pain management from the physiatric perspective vs. the anesthesia perspective , and that rather my interest in inpatient should have been the focus of my statement?? I wonder if this will be poorly received? Well the truth is I havent done inpatient, and my interest is in pain. We'll see- with no rotation, and now no letter from anyone in the field it looks grim, although I do have two invites- both for 2008 (the other bummer - 20 months out) as I stated -it sucks to try and switch!

I think the culture of PM&R is changing but the academic physiatrists -especially those in position of choosing residents - tend to be more conservative in that they look for people who are interested in all the aspects of PM&R including inpatient. So even if you are only interested in pain, you may want to at least look into inpatient rehab to see what it's all about so you can talk intelligently with your potential interviewers and program directors. I'm not saying to fake your interest but just come across as someone who knows the field of PM&R and what you would be getting into for the next several years. The last thing they want is to take someone only interested in pain and doesn't know or like the rest of PM&R (in patient, etc.) who will become unhappy in the program and maybe even drop out or switch thus making the program look bad.

axm- yes academic physiatrist running a a pain fellowship- this narrows it down, doesnt it, as there aren't many!

I actually have no idea who that could be. but perhaps your personal statement about pain management from a physiatric approach would be better received on the fellowship level in a few years than for application to residency for the above mentioned reasons.

 

[lobelsteve]

axm- yes academic physiatrist running a a pain fellowship- this narrows it down, doesnt it, as there aren't many!

Wasn't my program.
Sounds liike the guy was a jerk... narrows it down even further.....

But I don't have the inside scoop.