Trying to decide between anesthesia and rads... HELP

[shoneek]

OK, here are my stats, first of all, to get it outta the way:

Step 1- 244
Year 3- All HP's and 1 Honors so far (one rotation to go)
One summer of research (although it was derm)
I've set up to do rads research starting in may, if I want, that will likely end in a publication... not sure
Southern Cal Med School (literally)

Want to end up somewhere good for residency (so/nor cal... not sure yet, would consider good east coast program w/ connections to land me back in so cal after residency).

My problem is that although I am a hard worker, lifestyle and good pay are both VERY important to me, as is the idea of having a job that I like (this thread is for honesty, right). As of now, the most exposure to either field has been peripheral (rads- on the surg and med rotation and anesthesia- on the surg rotation).

So, for you radiology residents/hopefuls, or anyone who had the same dilemna as me, help me out. What are some of the issues I should be looking at, that I may not be seeing. ANY advice or opinions are appreciated.

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[Dr.RosenRosen]

I was in the same boat as you, with a lower step 1 and slightly higher 3rd year marks. I matched at my #1 in Radiology.

When I made out my 4th year schedule I knew nothing about nothing, but I did know what you hold important was dear to me as well so Radiology and Anesthesia were both done early. Radiology was first and I loved it, I sat there all day and was legitimately happy all day for once in my annoying med school life. Well, I thought, "I hope I really like anesthesia"...cause I got a better chance matching and will have a more difficult time matching in rads (I wished I didn't love it.)

When I was telling rads residents/staff my options (rads vs anesthesia) there were taken back because "you know Anesthesia is much different than Radiology!" Let me tell you it is! And, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH LIFESTYLE (ie they are both good in that regard.) My problem is that after a week on Anesthesia I wanted to bang myself in the head with an albumin drip bottle (they are hard glass) on every case. I've never been more bored, and I could see that even in many of the residents who were constantly finding little things to do just to keep themselves from sitting around (organizing depolarizing syringes for the next two days, etc.) You may say "well I like procedures." Well, interventional offers a multitude more with regard to options and challenges.

During anesthesia the cases/days trickled by. In Rads they flew. If you've got good volume you are constantly busy, reading/discussing/dictating, you're having fun and before you know it 5:00 pm hits and its time to go home.

BUT, of course this means there is much more to know for Radiology and, like I said, when you are working you are BUSY (and I hope you like reading constantly.) For me, this is perfect.

Also, if you like a limited patient contact then do anesthesia. Getting those preop folks ready you can see they are really scared, and you can comfort them a great deal. But, you've also go to put up with them complaining to you about how much that IV hurts, angrily saying "I"m only giving you one chance to get it and that's it!" etc. If you're more socially prone to BS'ing and talking to people as smart as you and having fun Rads is a better choice.

my 2 cents

OK, here are my stats, first of all, to get it outta the way:

Step 1- 244
Year 3- All HP's and 1 Honors so far (one rotation to go)
One summer of research (although it was derm)
I've set up to do rads research starting in may, if I want, that will likely end in a publication... not sure
Southern Cal Med School (literally)

Want to end up somewhere good for residency (so/nor cal... not sure yet, would consider good east coast program w/ connections to land me back in so cal after residency).

My problem is that although I am a hard worker, lifestyle and good pay are both VERY important to me, as is the idea of having a job that I like (this thread is for honesty, right). As of now, the most exposure to either field has been peripheral (rads- on the surg and med rotation and anesthesia- on the surg rotation).

So, for you radiology residents/hopefuls, or anyone who had the same dilemna as me, help me out. What are some of the issues I should be looking at, that I may not be seeing. ANY advice or opinions are appreciated.

 

[cdql]

My problem is that although I am a hard worker, lifestyle and good pay are both VERY important to me, as is the idea of having a job that I like (this thread is for honesty, right).

I think that's a risky way to pick a specialty! Lifestyle and good pay can often change during a physician's lifetime. (Isn't there a thread about how new legislature is threatening to cut radiology payouts and force radiologists to work more hours to maintain the same pay?)

I think it would be better to pick as the last poster did and base the decision on which field you can envision yourself in 10/20/30 years down the road! Would it be possible for you to do rotations in both fields? (I think my school only allows for one)

 

[f_w]

Do you want to be a radiologist or an anesthesiologist ?

That is the only issue you should look at. Lifestyle, pay, job market are all factors that you can look at after you made that decision.

 

[p53]

Looks like you already made your decision thus you posted on this forum.

If you truly want a balanced debate post a similar thread on the anesthesiology board.

The fact of the matter is that you are drawn toward radiology but is hoping for someone to talk you into radiology. This is NOT going to happen.

Just do you own due diligence. Take the advice on this board as a grain of salt. Do a rads AND an anesthesiology rotation to guide you. Your idea of a good fit should be based on your OWN experience, not by people on a radiology board drumming up interest.

You are seeking biased opinion, and there are many people on this board with genuine interest that will feed your hunger. Just don't expect to acquire genuine interest via second hand enthusiasm.

OK, here are my stats, first of all, to get it outta the way:

Step 1- 244
Year 3- All HP's and 1 Honors so far (one rotation to go)
One summer of research (although it was derm)
I've set up to do rads research starting in may, if I want, that will likely end in a publication... not sure
Southern Cal Med School (literally)

Want to end up somewhere good for residency (so/nor cal... not sure yet, would consider good east coast program w/ connections to land me back in so cal after residency).

My problem is that although I am a hard worker, lifestyle and good pay are both VERY important to me, as is the idea of having a job that I like (this thread is for honesty, right). As of now, the most exposure to either field has been peripheral (rads- on the surg and med rotation and anesthesia- on the surg rotation).

So, for you radiology residents/hopefuls, or anyone who had the same dilemna as me, help me out. What are some of the issues I should be looking at, that I may not be seeing. ANY advice or opinions are appreciated.

 

[shoneek]

I think that's a risky way to pick a specialty! Lifestyle and good pay can often change during a physician's lifetime. (Isn't there a thread about how new legislature is threatening to cut radiology payouts and force radiologists to work more hours to maintain the same pay?)

I think it would be better to pick as the last poster did and base the decision on which field you can envision yourself in 10/20/30 years down the road! Would it be possible for you to do rotations in both fields? (I think my school only allows for one)

Not sure who you are, but remember how I said all opinions and advice are welcome, I meant for the specialties, not for your "summation of my motives". As I have explained, I'm in a unique situation and would like help... I have narrowed down to three possibilities, however, since the posts here are single subject (rads, anesthesiology, derm, not a combination of any) I must post to all three boards. I am fortunate to have a few good options, so yes, lifestyle (that's right, I said the L-word), but also other factors such as patient contact will weigh into my decision process. So again, help in pros and cons of SPECIALTIES is appreciated, I don't need any judgement on my character, and what YOU think I'm motivated by. I'll post this to the other threads... in case you miss this one.

 

[shoneek]

Looks like you already made your decision thus you posted on this forum.

If you truly want a balanced debate post a similar thread on the anesthesiology board.

The fact of the matter is that you are drawn toward radiology but is hoping for someone to talk you into radiology. This is NOT going to happen.

Just do you own due diligence. Take the advice on this board as a grain of salt. Do a rads AND an anesthesiology rotation to guide you. Your idea of a good fit should be based on your OWN experience, not by people on a radiology board drumming up interest.

You are seeking biased opinion, and there are many people on this board with genuine interest that will feed your hunger. Just don't expect to acquire genuine interest via second hand enthusiasm.

I am not seeking biased opinion, I've already posted the same question to the anes forum before posting the scenario on this one. C'mon, give me some credit for realizing that the people on each forum will be biased.

 

[p53]

BUSTED!

Stop LYING, and get your story straight! Is it Rad vs Anesthesiology or Rad vs Derm.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=269387

I am not seeking biased opinion, I've already posted the same question to the anes forum before posting the scenario on this one. C'mon, give me some credit for realizing that the people on each forum will be biased.

 

[shoneek]

BUSTED!

Stop LYING, and get your story straight! Is it Rad vs Anesthesiology or Rad vs Derm.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=269387

Here's the straight story, you are officially a TROLL. Since you're so idiotic, and need direction, check out the other forums that are separate (rads, derm, anes) and realize that when you have narrowed your fields down to three, and when radiology is edging the other two out, and when you are seeking an objective opinion, you must post in the three forums to control for bias. Get a friggin life, ******.

 

[p53]

Story still doesn't fit. Majority of your posts are in Anesthesiology, and your research was in Dermatology.

How could Radiology be edging the other two when you know such little about Rads?

Here's the straight story, you are officially a TROLL. Since you're so idiotic, and need direction, check out the other forums that are separate (rads, derm, anes) and realize that when you have narrowed your fields down to three, and when radiology is edging the other two out, and when you are seeking an objective opinion, you must post in the three forums to control for bias. Get a friggin life, ******.

 

[shoneek]

Story still doesn't fit. Majority of your posts are in Anesthesiology, and your research was in Dermatology.

How could Radiology be edging the other two when you know such little about Rads?

When I have enough time to troll around like idiots with 256 posts, I may get around to answering your endless indictments.

To anyone reading my post with anything constructive to say, again ABOUT THE SPECIALTIES, you are welcome. P53, you are simply... well, you know.

 

[cdql]

Here's the straight story, you are officially a TROLL. Since you're so idiotic, and need direction, check out the other forums that are separate (rads, derm, anes) and realize that when you have narrowed your fields down to three, and when radiology is edging the other two out, and when you are seeking an objective opinion, you must post in the three forums to control for bias. Get a friggin life, ******.

Always a good way to request help

 

[Dr.RosenRosen]

SO....you officially hijacked your own thread along iwth p53 and it will go nowhere now. Listen to my original advice as a soon to be rads resident, or get back on topic.

Edit: Oh, and if you don't mind the albumin drip to the head, you can also take an electrocautery needle point to your eye in the exciting field of derm. Also my biased opinion.

 

[nuclearrabbit77]

what's with all the hostility? there are alot more inane questions then somebody asking about why you like radiology over a different specialty. so what if he posted on other specialty boards...picking a specialty is stressful and i'm sure many of us considered other fields before we saw the light.

 

[BenHoganFan]

So, for you radiology residents/hopefuls, or anyone who had the same dilemna as me, help me out. What are some of the issues I should be looking at, that I may not be seeing. ANY advice or opinions are appreciated.

RADIOLOGY
Pros:
Wide range of technology allowing subspecialization
High demand for imaging with many clinical scenarios
Intellectual challenges throughout your junior career (ie Inservice, Physics, Written and oral boards) as well as continuing medical education (ie Seminars, CMEs and keeping abreast of knowlege)

Cons:
Repeated interruptions while working
Reiterating what was said on 'dictated' or reported results to clinicians who fail to check the status
Dealing with clinicians who feel that they know YOUR job better than you do
Desire for peripheral specialists to get a piece of 'your pie' in imaging

<tongue in cheek> :
Where to spend all of that money?
What type of tax shelters do I need to set up?
When to set up time for a golf foursome, Thursday or Tuesday?
What do I do with 12 weeks of vacation?

Seriously, what mattered to me most was the intellectual challenge and being able to arrive at a diagnosis before the clinician suspected it (ie Lemierre's Syndrome on CT or Incident Pulmonary embolism on a restaging CT or even Intussusception on a plain radiograph). Also, I looked to mentors in the field with a personality that I wouldn't mind working with or emulating. Those same attendings you dread to work with could potentially become a 'partner' in your future. Also consider regional differences in terms of demand for your line of work. It all boils down to what makes you happy.

 

[shoneek]

To Benhoganfan, you're the best, man. This is exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for. Straight and to the point, w/o any flippant judgements of my supposed character. Thanks to the two others who realize the difficulty of my situation, and to those giving sound advice/opinions... Any others?