See poll on front page.

I probably would have done neuroradiology.  Those guys have a sweet life.

Would anyone have done orthopedics?

Vascular surgery - new 5 year straight track programs proliferating all over the place with integrated endovascular and open surgical training.  Not a bad deal.

the poll is missing a big thing - i’d like to know how many neurosurgeons would have gone into neurology. i’m guessing it’s more than you would think, especially the functional nerds

I’m surprised at the number who would leave medicine entirely. Although that was me, not too long ago.  Guenarius is right, the integrated vascular programs really are a good option, especially for the people who prefer surgery to medicine, and find neurovascular more interesting than spine.  The only problem is that if you’re not competitive for NS, you won’t be very competitive for vascular, either.

____anonymous____ - 11 November 2008 02:16 PM

the poll is missing a big thing - i’d like to know how many neurosurgeons would have gone into neurology. i’m guessing it’s more than you would think, especially the functional nerds

yeah, should have included neurology.  sorry.

Still a med student, but if I couldn’t get into NS after multiple attempts, pre-residency fellowship(s), training in another country, etc ... I think suicide would be a viable option.

Seriously, surgical oncology would probably be my second choice.

The problem with suicide is that someone will still be left holding the bag on all your private loans.  Only the Stafford and Perkins loans die with you. (I only know this because I asked my financial aid counselor what would happen to my loans if I died or became disabled.)

lol vascular

the more time on the vascular service, the shorter you get

____anonymous____ - 11 November 2008 06:09 PM

lol vascular

the more time on the vascular service, the shorter you get

That may be the case, but they do some pretty sweet open/endo combo cases.  I just think they have been fairly effectively pigeon-holed by the other specialties competing for tubes - ie. cannot go into the thorax for fear of upsetting the cardiothoracic folks and cannot venture above the neck as that is our domain.  Otherwise, pretty fun stuff.  And yes, it can be somewhat cathartic to hack off a gangrenous toe once in a while.  Who doesn’t love a little stinky pus every now and again?

I think that cardiothoracic surgery is the closest to neurosurgery in terms of required skill and level of acuity. They are about to experience a serious shortage as there is this notion that cardiologist are taking over. In the next 10-15 years they are going to be in greater demand than neurosurgeons. The three downside are the lifestyle is terrible because of all the transplants, the training is long as hell, and it’s not neurosurgery.

New 6-year integrated CT surg residency track - no longer the longest training on the planet.

eldo - 11 November 2008 06:57 PM

… and it’s not neurosurgery.

This is by far the biggest problem with any other option.

Kenny Liu - 11 November 2008 03:57 PM

____anonymous____ - 11 November 2008 02:16 PM

the poll is missing a big thing - i’d like to know how many neurosurgeons would have gone into neurology. i’m guessing it’s more than you would think, especially the functional nerds

yeah, should have included neurology.  sorry.

Id venture to say that its pretty much given that those who chose medicine, including myself, would instead go into neurology.

Proud to be FMG - 11 November 2008 11:29 PM

Kenny Liu - 11 November 2008 03:57 PM

____anonymous____ - 11 November 2008 02:16 PM

the poll is missing a big thing - i’d like to know how many neurosurgeons would have gone into neurology. i’m guessing it’s more than you would think, especially the functional nerds

yeah, should have included neurology.  sorry.

Id venture to say that its pretty much given that those who chose medicine, including myself, would instead go into neurology.

Blatantly untrue.  You’d have to kill me a thousand times before I went into Neurology.  I’d do radiology.  Reading chest x-rays in my beach house living room doesn’t sound hard.