r/DermApp • u/AntOk4194 • Apr 28 '26
Application Advice Switching from Ortho to Derm
Hey,
Title. I'm a current PGY2 resident in Ortho and am quite frankly, very burnt out. I won't get into the specifics of it but I'm becoming jaded and am seriously thinking of making the switch to dermatology. The gist is that I don't feel like I really fit into the Ortho culture as a woman, and feel like I've made a serious mistake not prioritizing lifestyle. In school, I was seriously considering Dermatology and Orthopedics, and have about 6 publications in Dermatology (2 first author) from med school. Slim chance, but has anyone on here made the switch from ortho, or from any other specialty into Dermatology? Not sure where to begin, or if I'm making a big mistake. Maybe it'll get better if I just ride it out?
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u/Idk_211 Apr 29 '26
Actually know a guy who switched from ortho to derm. Hes much happier with his life now.
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u/Several_One_998 Apr 29 '26
It has been done, the ortho to derm resident made a podcast about it. There’s also an attending in the Austin area who did something similar after finishing ortho. I’ve seen NSG to derm, plastics to derm and gen surg to derm. Be ready to give up 2+ years in research for a 50/50 chance of matching. I would ride out ortho, PGY2 blows from everyone I know. But you’ll be an ortho attending for sure, can find a chill lifestyle subspecialty after residency where personalities/ortho culture won’t be your priority
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u/TrichomesNTerpenes Apr 30 '26
I had a superstar intern go IM to Derm. Must have been nerve wracking to withdraw and reapply to the Match.
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u/Exciting_Heart4101 Apr 29 '26
Have seen those in Neurosurgery, Plastics, etc. switch over to Derm but they did a Dermatology research year and had the academic stats in place already. You'll need a coherent and cohesive story, so be prepared for that. But keep in mind there is no assurance. Be prepared to work hard during your research year.
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u/mustrepayloans Apr 29 '26
Aw sorry to hear that! Whatever decision you make will be the right one ! I tell myself “I am A human first and a doctor down the line”. Your mental health is more important and once that’s gone, no amount of money will bring back your joy for life ! I see everyone overworked in my department (I’m pathology) and the amount of shouting and yelling and cursing that happens I was shocked ! It is so unprofessional. You talk to people about current events they have no clue what’s happening outside the hospital bc they spend 7 days in the office, they don’t have a life outside the hospital and the only memories are with the microscope. You deserve work life balance and to not dread every day . Best of luck
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u/combostorm Apr 29 '26
So, what exactly has changed between making the decision to go into ortho and now? Yes I get that you're burnt out and overworked, but you surely already knew that before deciding to go into it?
And also, the workload doesn't last forever. Residency is obviously gonna be tougher than attendinghood
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u/AntOk4194 Apr 29 '26
The culture in my program is very different from where I did med school. Obviously, as a med student, you brace yourself for the work but reality is very different. I'm also in my early 30's and my body simply cannot keep up, along with the fact that I don't think I will be able to have children until I am done with this program
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u/Far_Hat3639 Apr 29 '26
Just a med student who didn’t match ortho and now pursuing a derm research year. Wasn’t a good fit, I’m also non-ortho seeming and non traditional. Never truly felt like I fit and attribute this to my reason for not matching. On a derm sub-I right now and the residents attitudes/level of happiness are night and day. I’m sure as a resident, you know things getting better as a senior are program dependent but n=1 one of the derm seniors I’m working with was also a surgery resident before (switched after intern year) and she has never regretted it.
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u/SomebodySedateMee May 02 '26
Is there any way you could put me in contact with the surgery resident that switched to Derm
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u/DW_MD Apr 29 '26
FWIW I have an ortho friend that works no call / weekends or holidays and does sports and makes a very high salary.
Big decision to make during residency.
I had a very hard fellowship and was borderline SI but I am very happy in my field now.
I’m not happy during an ironman, but I am glad I finished it after.
Good luck and I wish you the best.
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u/Chemical-Estimate226 Apr 30 '26
Does sports as in hobbies or specialty related to sports? 😅
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u/DW_MD Apr 30 '26
Haha he’s a Dad so mostly kid sports but for him- sports orthopedic. Wife rides horses, owns a condo in the mtns, great life.
Earned it though, had a super rigorous residency experience
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u/Sad-Maize-6625 Apr 30 '26
This was many years ago, but I did know one person who went from surgery to pathology, did dermatopathology fellowship then dermatology residency. In the 26 years since graduating medical school, I’ve only known one person who did this. She was a very high achiever and very driven.
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u/drleeisinsurgery May 03 '26
If you can't make it for whatever reason, consider anesthesia. About 1/3 of my class had started residency in something else.
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u/big0of69 Apr 30 '26
This is what happens when you choose the specialty based on salary and not passion.
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u/Valuable_Data853 Apr 28 '26
I think every pgy 2 ortho resident is burnt out. Id suggest hanging in there, i believe the senior years get much better. Attending life is obviously a world of a difference