Market Saturation - how to find out?

[SoonerTexan]

On the bright side, I don't see "home" for you guys being in a ridiculously saturated area of anything. There's probably a good chance you can make it back or close somehow or someway. (Unless he sub-specializes out the wazoo)

[OrionGrad]

Medtronic will do a market analysis for a specific city. We had them do 4 cities for us.

I've never heard of this before. Does it cost money? How helpful was it?

[WolfpackWife]

On the bright side, I don't see "home" for you guys being in a ridiculously saturated area of anything. There's probably a good chance you can make it back or close somehow or someway. (Unless he sub-specializes out the wazoo)

Hoping that's the case. If only Forbes would keep our area out of it's "best places to live" lists

[MarissaNicole]

Medtronic will do a market analysis for a specific city. We had them do 4 cities for us.


Wife of a PGY-4 Orthopod

Do they do other equipment? Because I know they provide equipment for GRU Dh's specialty.... so that may be why they did it for them- as a courtesy to a doc who will be a major customer.

Wife to PGY4

[Curegirl]

All I know is that SO picked his specialty based on what he really liked doing but it was also a plus that he could get a job practically anywhere...there'll be a big difference in pay but at least jobs are available in his field from what he says.

[OrionGrad]

Do they do other equipment? Because I know they provide equipment for GRU Dh's specialty.... so that may be why they did it for them- as a courtesy to a doc who will be a major customer.

I don't know if they do other equipment, but our DHs are in the same specialty. I'll have to check with DH tonight to see if it's something he's heard of people doing at his program.

[spotty_dog]

All I know is that SO picked his specialty based on what he really liked doing but it was also a plus that he could get a job practically anywhere...there'll be a big difference in pay but at least jobs are available in his field from what he says.

Not that big a difference. My husband is in EM and makes more than many ROAD specialists. A lot depends on the job and the location. He also took demand into account, as at least one factor among many, when he chose his specialty. It was nice to be able to narrow our job search by location and still have several positions to choose from.

[SuzySunshine]

Medtronic also does NSG supplies if that is of interest to anyone. We were good friends with our Medtronic rep in residency.

The job search is a funny thing - I think if you are truly interested in going home finding out what areas they need now isn't a bad idea. However just keep in mind, that as a lot have said, the industry is changing rapidly. My DH did an 8 year residency/fellowship, we had no intention of going home because we didn't think it would be an option. However the market has changed and these privademic jobs have popped up in hospitals that aren't your "true" academic hospital. He doesn't have residents, he does have med students, he's an Assoc. Professor for that med school, he has the opportunity to do research (if he ever finds the time!) - several things drew him to this job that we never in a million years would have guessed in 2004.

So my point is keep your eyes, ears, and hearts open - going home also has its drawbacks if you've been gone for long. Hang in there, this lifestyle is not for the faint of heart.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

I've never heard of this before. Does it cost money? How helpful was it?

It doesn't cost anything - have your DH ask their rep. We needed it deciphered for us. Ours is slightly misleading because DH's desired subspecialty overlaps with NSG, and that's not taken into account.


Wife of a PGY-4 Orthopod

[corn poffi]

Yep, Medtronic makes a bunch of different surgical equipment. I love our Medtronic rep.

[Vishenka69]

So much can change in the next 5+ years. I couldn't fathom leaving NYC when DH was MS1 but 7 years later we realized that it was time for us to move. Saturation also drives salaries, so while there may be plenty of jobs, the conditions may not be very favorable.

[moonlight]

On the bright side, I don't see "home" for you guys being in a ridiculously saturated area of anything. There's probably a good chance you can make it back or close somehow or someway. (Unless he sub-specializes out the wazoo)

I know it might seem that way but after living near that area we found it to be very saturated with docs.... from what I could gather talking to people. TS has talked about it before but that area is really up and coming for people. Its attractive lifestyle wise for many many reasons and there are very good training programs all smoothed into one area... and then there is the Eastern training site as well where folks certainly want to move back to 'that area.' The area is surprisingly hot. Not NYC hot, but more than you might think. I can see why WPW is concerned.

[metroguy]

ms2 is a good time to pick a speciality. in fact, you'll be at a disadvantage if you don't pick a speciality--due to (away) rotation/recommendations that you require for the match. basically all your ducks must be line up by end of ms2 (if you pick something other than internal med/surgery) it's important to get a recommendation from the prefer speciality attending. most of the information you get from the web about a speciality be unreliable. and even if you get current info, in 5 yrs, everything will have change (you, spouse, kids, economy, med). my best advice is to pick something you and spouse can live with.

[Curegirl]

SD, sorry, I meant there's a difference in pay depending on location not specialty...

[diggitydot]

There are two issues at play here.

MSII isn't too early to pick a specialty, but no one in med school should get too hung up on locations because the match is a fickle bitch and will pimp slap anyone who becomes too attached to any single area with a cross country relocation to the head.