Considering urology to ortho swtich...

[juiceman311]

Hello all,

I am an MS-3 and am officially declared in urology. I chose urology not too long ago b/c I always wanted to do something surgical but was not sure what. I enjoyed my urology rotation (2 weeks) and so I decided to stick with it. Preceding my urology rotation I did general surgery and trauma at a urban hospital and was exposed to a lot of orthopedic trauma as a result. Thinking that I should try to get some orthopedics exposure I requested being switching out of neurosurgery for orthopedics, but was denied by the surgery coordinator. Part of what is really sparking my interest now is my neurosurgery rotation. I have seen almost exclusively spine stuff and have really liked it. And I am told that everything I have seen to date can be done by an orthopod as well.

It seems that urology and orthopedics are similar in their competitiveness, residency, and general lifestyle after residency. There about 15 guys in my generic state school who have declared orthopedics vs the few of us in urology at present.

I am not sure what to do now because I am seriously regretting not getting any orthopedics exposure now. I have a slack rotation coming up in June and I was thinking about doing some clinic and OR shadowing if they'll let me? That's about as much as I can do at this point. Doing the month long rotation in July to test the waters is NOT an option as that would totally obliterate my senior schedule for urology (early match). Any advice? Based on my objective stuff below, what is your impression of my application (I ask because I have only had a chance to briefly scan over ortho numbers).

My profile:
Engineering degree
Step 1: 235/98
Preclinical GPA: 3.5s
Clinical GPA: 4.0
Research: Several publications/abstracts from undergrad in cardiovascular fluid mechanics, project in pediatric cardiology in med school, finishing up a urology project now that will hopefully be published by application time; 2 presentations -- nothing in orthopedics or related to bones at all (half-truth, my urology work is with erectyle dysfunction).

[jd10]

If you want to seriously look at ortho, you will need to spend as much time as you can in the next 2-3 weeks working with the ortho department. Have a clear, concise answer ready as to why you are late in the game.

Also, you should probably register with VSAS and be prepared to apply for a couple of away rotations should you decide to make the switch. Many of these spots opened on May 1 last year. You can always cancel if you stick with urology.

Your application is fine, although probably slightly below average. Scores are trending up and the average score of matched ortho applicants will likely be about 240 for your year. Also, while working with the ortho department, you should find some ortho research to get involved in. You won't have time to publish, but will at least have some ortho stuff on your app that your interviewers can chat about.

That's all I can think of right now. Good luck with your decision.

[thatswhatshesaid]

[insert bones vs boners joke]


I don't think he's that late in the game for a switch. I know there are a lot of people who knew they wanted to go into ortho when they started med school but there are some of us who didn't know what we wanted to go into until late in 3rd year--it seems to work if you get on the ball once you make the decision. As long as you can get your away rotations and home Sub I lined up you should be fine. Hopefully you've generated some non-urology letters of recommendation as well.

Otherwise, I'll just agree with what jd10 wrote...seems like good advice from my perspective.

[BoneDoc321]

My first exposure to ortho was in June of my 4th year. I quickly set up an away for July and was on my way. I just made sure that I did as much ortho as possible before interview season so that I would have 3-4 ortho sub-i grades and some good letters of rec, and started on some ortho research. All worked out. I'm sure it will for you too. Good luck!

[jd10]

I agree he's not too late in the game, but he is later than most.

[Iliizarovian]

it's never too late. Sometimes the ortho folks like that.

But i'm curious, what does it mean to 'officially declare' orthopaedics ??

[PaulCalmarks]

Nice post. Urology has some relation with and sometimes overlaps with, the therapeutic fields of oncology, gynecology, nephrology, andrology, gastroenterology, pediatric surgery, and endocrinology.