Question About Breast Versus IR:
Hi Dr. Julius,
I am a PGY4 resident and currently ranking my fellowship programs. Right now, I am still debating between an IR and Breast imaging fellowship. I am an active person who likes to deal with patients (within limits) and do procedures. Also, I am a family guy who likes to spend time with family and travel together besides social activities. I love IR, and I see myself in IR, but everyone is warning me of the stressful lifestyle and crazy calls. I know it depends on the practice that I will join. But, sometimes I think about it differently. I mean why I would spend two years in IR fellowship (Non-ESIR) to perform mostly central lines and biopsies. Plus, people tell me that IR will become routine, and I will lose the exciting part and left with the scraps.
On the opposite side, breast imaging is a good lifestyle. I will see patients (I enjoy seeing patients) and perform procedures. Also, I am willing to do 50% breast and 50% general radiology after fellowship if I complete a breast fellowship. I don’t want to regret not going to IR. Should I risk it better than regretting it? I have to submit my ROL by the end of this month; I appreciate your help.
Thanks
Breast Versus IR
Answer:
What you do in IR depends upon where you decide to practice. If you choose the option of working in a highly academic large center that is on the cutting edge, you can be performing many other procedures other than central lines and biopsies. But, of course, you might sacrifice salary if you have a lot of debt. (not all the time but most).
And for the most part, if you are doing IR, you will have more weekends and nights. It is true that you will not be able to leave the department as smoothly during the daytime to take care of issues at home. Albeit, you may get more vacation overall to compensate for the extra time on call. When you are working in IR, you will generally work on your feet a lot for long hours.
On the other hand, breast radiology does allow you to work fewer weekends and nights as well as being able to occasionally escape to do other things during the day if you are reading screeners. And, you can perform procedures (even cutting edge procedures depending on the institution) But, in general, as breast radiologist, the procedures that you complete will be less involved. In both career paths, however, you will get to work directly with patients (and be a real doctor!)
So that is my little summary for you. There is a sort of lifestyle/procedure decision that you will need to make. What I’ve discovered over the years: no field is going to meet every one of your criteria. Those folks that are the happiest can decide which track to choose based on their life priorities.
Hope that helps,
Barry Julius, MD
