I'm in a similar situation...I have decided to change specialities and have secured a PGY-1 spot for next year. I need to start before this PGY-1 year is finished. My PD knows, and a few friends, but no one else.
My issue is with when I should leave this program. I would ideally finish the whole year, but I can't because I need to start my new program a week earlier then I end this one. My PD isn't sure if I can get credit for the year (in terms of getting my license) if I end one week early, even though we only get 2 wks of vacation, and I think the ACGME allows for 3 or 4. I'm supposed to find out later this week. If I am not going to get credit, I'd like to leave earlier to get everyhting set in place to start my new specialty. I'd also like to avoid all the comments and potential for poor treatment that could occur once people find out. My PD says that it is up to me as to when I leave, they can shuffle things around. Staying in this program until I need to go to the next one would basically be for the money and insurance, and to follow through on what I started, and to give myself something to do, plus to be able to moonlight a year earlier in my new program, if I get credit for the year. I still need to take step 3 and do all the paperwrok, which would take at least 6 mo. Quitting early would allow me some time to study for next year, mentally change focus and get back to "me," and allow some relaxation time. My new program doens't care one or another if I finish and they don't need any documentation from my current program. To them it is as if I graduate this spring and never did any GME.
I'm also not sure how to tell my colleagues without offending them or being treating poorly. I hope that they can accept "it's for you, it's not for me" and move on.
What do you think?
Also, I'm not familiar with the ACGME problems for not talking to your current program first. If you complete the year's contract, fulfill your match, etc, isn't that all that is necessary? Or do you mean if you need to break your contract to change programs?
In terms of other people switching fields, I have heard of PDs being very supportive and helpful, but not giving time off to interview- you have to take a year off to do that- and of PDs refusing to write letters and making the resident's life harder. I think it depends on the culture of the program and how much they like the individual. It can be very risky to stay in the program once you tell them that you are looking, and you are also likely to be fired, becuase they don't want residents who don't want them. It seems safer to find a new spot first, but I know that isn't always practical.
