The Specialty Thread

[MsSassyBaskets]

What is your spouse's specialty?

What residency did he/she complete? How long was it?

If you can remember, how many residency programs did your spouse apply to? How many interviews? How competitive was it?

What fellowship? How long?

What personality type fits well in this specialty?

What are the post-training working hours like?

How is the job market for this specialty these days?

Any other thoughts?

[BonBon]

What is your spouse's specialty? Anesthesia

What residency did he/she complete? How long was it? Started in IM, loathed it so much he wanted to quit medicine. He really enjoyed ICU work, so thought he might enjoy the immediacy of care like you see in anesthesia. Fortunately, this was a time when anesthesia was on a downswing, there were few jobs, etc so there were *several* openings in his residency location. People told him he was crazy. So he did one year of IM, then 3 years of anesthesia.

If you can remember, how many residency programs did your spouse apply to? How many interviews? How competitive was it? I have no idea! He did get his first choice for IM residency, though.

What fellowship? How long? None.

What personality type fits well in this specialty? Calm, easy-going, unflappable.

What are the post-training working hours like? Even though anesthesia is considered a ROAD specialty, it's really not. He works when the surgeons work. I'd say he averages 70 hours a week. Fantastic weeks are ~60, and we occasionally have killer 100+ weeks. His particular practice has in-house 24-hour call, and back-up home call.

How is the job market for this specialty these days? It seems to be decent. Interestingly, with all the doom and gloom predictions DH heard when he switched to anesthesia, by the time he finished, he had five job offers in his chosen city. We've been really fortunate at his current job. Financially, it's been awesome.

Any other thoughts? none that I can think of

[Mrs. MD, Esq.]

What is your spouse's specialty?

Radiology

What residency did he/she complete? How long was it?

5 years (1.75 years left!!!)

If you can remember, how many residency programs did your spouse apply to? How many interviews? How competitive was it?

This was for general surgery (before he switched): 40 programs; 30 or so interview offers, interviewed at 19 and ranked 18.

For Radiology, he didn't go thru the match. He emailed every program in the country to see if anyone had a PGY-2 position available for the next year, heard back from 4 and interviewed at 3.

He was decently competitive, but his test scores and his recommendations were stronger than his grades.

What fellowship? How long?

He's accepted a year long abdominal imaging fellowship and plans on doing a year long interventional radiology after (oh joy, another match)!

What personality type fits well in this specialty?

Conflict-averse, introverted, efficient and organized, decisive personality type...

What are the post-training working hours like?

Don't know yet, but in training isn't too bad...averaging maybe 60hrs a week when he's not doing research? I'm not including studying time though...

How is the job market for this specialty these days?

From what I hear, not great, but I think it will swing back and get better!

Any other thoughts?

I'm clearly bored at work and participating in surveys meant for post-training people.

[LynnAlicia]

Thanks for starting again. The other one is kinda old. DH questioned is accuracy after all the new rules.

[MsSassyBaskets]

I should have mentioned - you don't have to be totally done with training to post. Just write what you know.

[MAPPLEBUM]

And as I just mentioned in another thread, I'd love if everyone contributed so when I forget who someone is I can refer back to this

[spotty_dog]

And as I just mentioned in another thread, I'd love if everyone contributed so when I forget who someone is I can refer back to this

We used to put specialties and a few other identifying details in signatures. I took mine out for personal reasons but maybe we should start that again...I have the feeling they're not visible on mobile though.

What is your spouse's specialty? Emergency medicine

What residency did he/she complete? How long was it? Erm...emergency medicine. Three years.

If you can remember, how many residency programs did your spouse apply to? How many interviews? How competitive was it? I don't remember very clearly. I think he applied to over 20, attended 12-15 of the offered interviews, and ranked 10. It's not super competitive as a field, since most applicants Match, but the specific programs he applied to were somewhat competitive.

What fellowship? How long? Nada.

What personality type fits well in this specialty? Someone who thrives on variety more than on routine and predictability. Someone who works hard to play hard (and leaves work at work.)

What are the post-training working hours like? These days DH is working 13 11-hour shifts per month. There is no rhyme or reason to his workdays. For example, today is his fourth day off. He'll work Saturday through Monday and be off for another 6 days and work 4 more. We're fortunate that he does have predictability in that he is almost exclusively scheduled for the afternoon shift, noon to 11pm. He is also the hospital Chief of Medicine which requires desk work, phone calls, and meetings on the order of 13-16 hours per month.

How is the job market for this specialty these days? I'm told there is no end in sight for the shortage of board certified emergency physicians.

Any other thoughts? We lucked out landing in a job with excellent compensation and a sweet schedule. But from where I sit, EM is a pretty decent lifestyle. DH gets stressed and tired by the fourth day in a row working, but he seldom works more consecutive days than that and usually has more than a day off after such a long stretch. He's also making enough to retire comfortably within just 20 years or so, so there's that.

[Pollyanna]

What is your spouse's specialty?

MFM (Maternal Fetal Medicine, aka: high risk OB)

What residency did he/she complete? How long was it?

OB/GYN 4 years

If you can remember, how many residency programs did your spouse apply to? How many interviews? How competitive was it?

4 applications, 4 interview, considered a suicide match but thought better of it. OB/GYN can be tough for males depending on what programs they are applying to. It may have been said at dh's training institution during a match meeting, "are we taking a boy this year". There is definitely reverse discrimination. Really.

What fellowship? How long?

MFM, 3 years. Fellowship years rocked!

What personality type fits well in this specialty?

This is the sad side of OB. You will give bad news all. the. time. You have to be able to handle the emotional nature of that. Helps to be calm, patient, and understanding. Calm in an emergency. Isn't afraid of blood or bodily fluids (it's a wet specialty, lol)

What are the post-training working hours like?

Depends on the type of job. Academic is around 70 to 100, depending how the service is run.

How is the job market for this specialty these days?

Very good. No trouble finding work.

Any other thoughts?

Not currently.

[MrsC]

What is your spouse's specialty?

Anesthesia and Critical Care.

What residency did he/she complete? How long was it?

He started out in general surgery but switched to Anesthesia after 18 months. That was a three year residency.

If you can remember, how many residency programs did your spouse apply to? How many interviews? How competitive was it?

I have no idea. We met just before the match.

What fellowship? How long?

A one year critical care fellowship.

What personality type fits well in this specialty?

Calm, collected, quick thinker.

What are the post-training working hours like?

50 to 60 hours on anesthesia weeks with weekends off. 13 ICU weeks a year with 24/7 call so these weeks can be up to 100 hours. Although they're changing this to give one day off during a call week.

How is the job market for this specialty these days?

Not many jobs available but it is a growing field. Most jobs are academic.

Any other thoughts?

I wanted to add that DH landed in two great programs for residency and fellowship. They were far better than others experienced. I'd definitely recommend them.

[GrayMatterWife]

Replies in CAPS

What is your spouse's specialty? FUNCTIONAL ADULT NEUROSURGERY

What residency did he/she complete? How long was it? NEUROSURGERY; SIX YEARS (USUALLY IT IS SEVEN; HE GOT TO SHAVE A YEAR)

If you can remember, how many residency programs did your spouse apply to? How many interviews? How competitive was it? EVERY SINGLE NSG PROGRAM IN THE COUNTRY (COMMON FOR NSG); 13? 14? MAYBE--NOT POSSIBLE TO TAKE ALL

What fellowship and long long? FUNCTIONAL/STEREOTACTIC NEUROSURGERY; 1 YEAR

What personality type fits well in this specialty? "ALWAYS CERTAIN; SOMETIMES RIGHT"

What are the post-training working hours like? NOT TERRIBLE BUT DEFINITELY NOT DERM OR RADS

How is the job market for this specialty these days? I DON'T KNOW. HE IS IN ACADEMIC PRACTICE AT A LARGE UNIVERSITY AND HAS A 50/50 CLINIC/RESEARCH SPLIT; THESE ARE A RARITY IN NSG; HE IS THE KIND OF GUY THAT YOU HIRE SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE YOU WANT HIM AND HIS ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS; THERE ONLY A FEW PLACES THAT CAN SUPPORT HIM; KINDA LIMITS JOB PROSPECTS (YOU GO WHERE THE WORK IS, NOT NECESSARILY WHERE YOU WANT TO BE), BUT WHEN SOMEONE WANTS HIM, THEY TEND TO DO WHATEVER THEY CAN TO GET/KEEP HIM.

Any other thoughts? NEUROSURGERY IS FOR THE INTENSE, THE RELENTLESS, AND THE THICK-SKINNED.

[ides]

What is your spouse's specialty?
Hand Surgeon

What residency did he/she complete? How long was it?
General Surgery, 5 years

If you can remember, how many residency programs did your spouse apply to? How many interviews? How competitive was it?
He applied to 36ish, went to 16-18 interviews. It was semi-competitive. It's been increasing in competitiveness.

What fellowship? How long?
Hand Surgery - 1 year

What personality type fits well in this specialty?
Hand surgeons are gentler surgeons. They sit while operating. Someone who likes micro surgery, structure, physics, 3-dimensional functional work. Very detail oriented, patient (recovery from hand injuries is long), stubborn.

What are the post-training working hours like?
Fairly decent. About 60 hour weeks. He take home call about 5-8 times a month. He gets called in less than he doesn't get called in, however when he does the cases are often long.

How is the job market for this specialty these days?
Since this area is so sub-specialized it can be hard to find a job that's only hand surgery. There a many places looking for someone to do general + hand.

Any other thoughts?
Dh's path was a little unusual. Most hand surgeons do an orthopedic residency so most jobs want someone to do general ortho and hand. There is a small amount of people who go into hand from general or plastic surgery. It was difficult to find a job post residency that was hand only. We found one in the 11th hour and it's a very good job in a location most consider undesirable. There are two paths you can take after training - academic or private. Dh has a strange mix of both but with the academic path he gets to see a lot of trauma, congenital and neglected injuries - it's a richer or more varied experience than just the typical bread and butter type of cases.

[SoonerTexan]

What residency did he/she complete? How long was it?

It will be 5 years total, one prelim year and 4 years of radiology. He is doing IM prelim. You can also do a surgical prelim (usually seen as the hardest) or a transitional year (usually the easiest option but depends on the program.

If you can remember, how many residency programs did your spouse apply to? How many interviews? How competitive was it?

52. He over applied. I think he got 27 radiology interviews and went on 16 or 17? I cant remember already. The prelim years made the match expensive and hard. It was like doing 2 matches. Total he did 26 interviews. He really only needed to rank 12-14 programs to be pretty certain of matching (with his stats), but we were paranoid.

As far as competitiveness, his take was it has gotten significantly easier to get a radiology residency in the past few years because there are so many spots and the job market is scaring people. However, the top programs are just as competitive as they ever were--very competitive.

What fellowship? How long?

Dunno, but a fellowship seems to be pretty much a given in this specialty if you want a job.

What personality type fits well in this specialty?

Tech savvy, detailed oriented, doesn't need extended patient contact.

What are the post-training working hours like?

Not there yet

How is the job market for this specialty these days?

The general cry is "it's awful" but from what DH has heard from his program and saw at some of the places he interviewed, it isn't totally bleak. If you don't have to be in a major city on the coast, that apparently helps, as does coming from a decent program.

Any other thoughts?

I feel like its definitely a love-it-or-hate-it specialty. It wasn't a popular rotation in med school for non-radiology hopefuls even though it had awesome hours because they found it so boring. Heck, I would find it boring. The rotation was literally sitting behind someone watching them read scans (and if you were lucky, they would teach you), but DH found it fascinating. He is the type that watches other people play video games online for fun, though

[Vanquisher]

What is your spouse's specialty?

Orthopaedic Surgery

What residency did he/she complete? How long was it?

Orthopaedic Surgery. It was a five year residency.

If you can remember, how many residency programs did your spouse apply to? How many interviews? How competitive was it?

He applied to like 50. He got 12 interviews. Insanely, stupidly competitive. It was top 3 the year we applied. It's been top 5 for a while now.

What fellowship? How long?

He did a short pediatrics fellowship.

What personality type fits well in this specialty?

Type A. Can take a lot of pressure. You need to be strong in every sense. It's a very physically demanding (jocks go into it) and mentally demanding specialty. It's 90-95% male.

What are the post-training working hours like?

60-80 hours a week

How is the job market for this specialty these days?

Pretty good. Ortho is a common need. There are markets that are saturated, but you can pretty much find a job anywhere. Whether the job is good or not is a different story.

Any other thoughts?

Ortho is not a kind specialty to family life. Residency is brutal. Hours are violated pretty ubiquitously. Call is part of your life. Not a fan.

[ladymoreta]

I know there've already been responses for anesthesia, but here's mine!

What is your spouse's specialty?
Anesthesiology

What residency did he/she complete? How long was it?
4 years total: 1 transitional year and 3 years of general anesthesia

If you can remember, how many residency programs did your spouse apply to? How many interviews? How competitive was it?
I don't remember how many applications he submitted, but he interviewed at, I think, 16 and didn't rank one or two of them. I don't really know how competitive it is. We knew with his Step 1 score, he would almost certainly get in.

What fellowship? How long?
No fellowship.

What personality type fits well in this specialty?
Very calm but fast-acting under pressure is the main one. Outside of work, they're usually very laid-back, especially compared to most other doctors in other specialties. Anesthesia is pretty different than other types of medicine, so we found that DH really hated most of his rotations in medical school.

What are the post-training working hours like?
Pretty good. It's about 60 hours per week, but they start really early, around 5:00 or 6:00 most days, so he's usually home for dinner unless he's on call. He has home call, so we usually end up with some time with him even on call days. He doesn't have to do any charting or other work when he gets home.

How is the job market for this specialty these days?
Decent. There's always the risk of laws changing to allow CRNAs to function more independently, which would mean fewer jobs for anesthesiologists. It seems like there are always locums positions available, so if he lost his job, we could fall back on that. There are lots of jobs in TX at least for anesthesiologists who've done a pain fellowship, but that requires clinic and patient follow-up, as well as some really difficult patients, so DH had absolutely no interest in that.

Any other thoughts?
I would highly recommend anesthesiology as a specialty. Overall, the pay and hours are really good compared to other specialties. DH loves his job, and he really likes the people he works with.

[wiva]

What is your spouse's specialty?
Psychiatry

What residency did he/she complete? How long was it? 4 year residency

If you can remember, how many residency programs did your spouse apply to? How many interviews? How competitive was it? I don't remember how many he applied to, but he interviewed at a dozen or so and ranked all but 1

What fellowship? How long? He hasn't decided. If I had to guess now, I'd say that he will end up doing a fellowship in child psych, but I wouldn't swear to it

What personality type fits well in this specialty? Calm, patient, compassionate listeners. Definitely fits him well

What are the post-training working hours like? Unsure as of yet, ask me again in a few years

How is the job market for this specialty these days? Wide open

Any other thoughts? He's my hero for having the patience and compassion that it takes to work with some of these patients. I struggle with both in my own professional life. I'm also glad that the residency hours in psych are really not so bad (compared to other specialties, anyway). It has been a pretty good specialty fit for the type of life we want to live as well