I'm a surgical program director myself. I want to applaud you for being so open and honest about something so personal. There will be many others who will find comfort through your words and knowing that they too can change their mind and life goes on. I enjoy being a surgeon but I remember thinking about switching to another field during residency -- I didn't because I thought I had too much time invested. In retrospect, 20 years later, I now know that was not true. If you are making the switch while still in residency, then you are still early in the game -- and there's lots of time to pivot if it's the right thing for you.

@s96822

2 жыл бұрын

If I may comment as a legacy doc, circa 32 years ago in a different era I served as a GS extern. Was a token stipend, room and board. Worked like there was no tomorrow, enjoyed it and was liked by the PD. Chose not to pursue despite liking it very much because I saw competent super hard working residents get cut by the guillotine aka pyramid aftex X number of years. Anesthesia, ER, IM has many former GS residents. I ended up completing IM in big bad busy NYC hospitals grateful for learning lots of procedures and was able to cover a number of ER's as well as opd, clinic etc. There were no work hours limits during my training and a normal admitting day was 32 or more hours and sleep was but a dream. The GS residents had it even worse and for more years and many kudos to them.

@SuperSpectrumX

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this comment , What is your speciality ? If i may ask .

@s96822

Жыл бұрын

@@SuperSpectrumX Did 90% ER, 10% OPD, clinic, private practice coverage for friends. PS; if I had to do it all over again would shoot for ortho or optho because I am good with hands, like carpentry, have lifted weights (LOL) also like very fine minute stuff as in optho. hobby board level electronic component repair

@citizensurgeon

Жыл бұрын

Helpful and authentic words Mark!

Very brave of you to leave residency half way through but also happy to have you join the Family Medicine team. We still do lots of procedure in the clinic and urgent care setting. And have opportunities to work in emergency medicine if thats what you end up enjoying. I just completed residency and FM attending work life balance is good! Best of luck!

@donavanpham

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!! Happy to hear that life as an attending is balanced. My girlfriend and I have been following your channel for a few years, really appreciate you commenting!

I left OBGYN residency and have never looked back since -- now doing law full time

@TheRebellefleur27

3 жыл бұрын

that is GREAT

@ghadabzr6146

3 жыл бұрын

😲😲😲😲

@Dr.afolabiorekoya

3 жыл бұрын

What? You a Medical Malpractice police now?

@DeepikaBhag

3 жыл бұрын

What made you change? Would love to connect with you!

@mikky5301

3 жыл бұрын

This is funny to me somehow😂😂 You mean you're now an attorney or just a law section in the medical field?

Dr. Pham, the courage to choose family over money, passion over obligation, and values over habits, is admirable. Keep your faith strong. I realized that money is not everything as well. There are so many other great things in life: family, interests, community, etc. Best of luck for your future journey.

I also started out very "OR obsessed", but I had that eureka moment in theatre at 1am, holding a patient's heart in my hand after doing a sternotomy for a stab chest. All I could think about was how bad the rest of the night is going to be, trying to keep this guy's BP up in ICU. It was then that I realised that if that moment of holding somebody's heart in you hand does not wow me, I am in the wrong speciality. So I left surgery. And although I occasionally miss some of the procedures, I've not regretted it.

@formerlyknownasanessential2623

3 жыл бұрын

what proportion of surgeries did you observe or do that were because of acute crazy things like a stab wound vs. surgeries brought on by chronic diseases like a heart surgery or something

@moodmeditation4458

3 жыл бұрын

Yes if that heart was of some drug dealer I will question but if it was victom and someone's child or father I wount.

@Amy-se5ld

3 жыл бұрын

Where are you now?

Surgery takes a certain kind of person. Congrats on discovering that you’re not that kind of person. Better to find out now than to find out in the middle of your career.

@namnam8

3 жыл бұрын

Great point! What are some of the traits in surgeons you would observe? I work with doctors as a therapist and genuinely curious. Thanks in advance!

@emilyencapsulated9540

3 жыл бұрын

@@namnam8 Hi! I work at a teaching hospital with lots of surgery and trauma residents. I myself am a nurse practitioner student. In my experience, those who thrive in the OR environment share some common traits: they tend to be very driven and highly focused on excellence/career (not a bad thing--their priority in life is being a great surgeon),

@hsg2422

3 жыл бұрын

I think you’re serious

@moodmeditation4458

3 жыл бұрын

@Alpha Omega or a life saver. There are many cases where surgery is only hope to live.

@moodmeditation4458

3 жыл бұрын

Surgeons are compassionate who put people before themselves and they believe to do better and better for their pts No matter how much effort and energy they have to do they think it's all worth it.

I was in surgery residency: didn’t realize I was in the wrong field until I got out: now doing palliative and love it.

@mousabature738

3 жыл бұрын

Give me your spot please

@runningrigert

3 жыл бұрын

Woo! I would love to talk to you about your experience in Palliative. I am glad you found your right path. I left OMFS in 2017 and have been very interested in Palliative.

@moodmeditation4458

3 жыл бұрын

Saving lives is so satisfactory in itself !! Nothing can replace it.

@jonathangabriel9250

2 жыл бұрын

@@mousabature738 you want my ortho spot?

@ted9921

Жыл бұрын

@@jonathangabriel9250 mmmmh?🥺

Hi! I’m currently a surgery resident in Michigan switching to emergency medicine. It was nice to stumble upon this video and hear someone articulate a lot of my decision making :) good luck and great move!

@abdulmalikidris1278

3 жыл бұрын

Vash good luck in emergency medicine too

@jargalsaikhanganbat2424

3 жыл бұрын

@@abdulmalikidris1278 Sorry for asking personally, Why did you change your residency? Is surgical residency is too hard?

@mousabature738

3 жыл бұрын

I want your spot please

@jouyan01

3 жыл бұрын

ED is not much better to be honest. they know medicine the least

@sarahthompson8098

3 жыл бұрын

@@jouyan01 Yikes, what an aggressively incorrect comment.

I’m a family medicine attending. Welcome to FM as your new specialty! There are definitely many more opportunities for career choices in FM with better work life balance. It’s great you are making a change toward what is right for you before it is too late. Life is too short not to be happy with what you are in. :)

@sippibro6928

3 жыл бұрын

Hiii

@dr.lindsaymarie

3 жыл бұрын

@@sippibro6928 hi!

I’m a general surgical registrar approaching my final exams to attain fellowship and still don’t know if surgery is the right fit for me. It is a feeling that has followed me since I started my training and it is something we do not talk about enough with our colleagues. It is so validating to hear someone talk openly about their experience. Thank you

@slickrick4129

3 жыл бұрын

That means it’s not the right fit for you

@katvtay

3 жыл бұрын

@@slickrick4129 This kind of statement is not helpful. For many in med school and residency, continued questioning, and even doubt are normal. It’s been especially hard this past year. Far more chaotic and challenging than normal, making the questioning even more pronounced.

@moodmeditation4458

3 жыл бұрын

Well many people need you and you are their hope if you don't already feel like this , Surgery indeed is not for you!

Hey man - I too came face to face with the reality that I no longer saw myself as a General Surgeon. For similar reasons you stated above. I resigned from my Gsurg program after 2 years. Took a year off, and now in my PGY2 Anesthesiology year. It was a difficult decision and even identity to strip, but I am happier now than I’ve ever been. Stay encouraged man!

@jonathangabriel9250

2 жыл бұрын

Hey Kyle I am currently an orthopedic surgery resident and have a very similar thought process in the beginning of PGY2. It is truly great to hear how happy you are with the decision. If you are willing, I would absolutely love to find some time to speak with you in some context! Please reach out if you get this message gabriel.jonathanr@gmail.com

Im a surgical intern. I admire your courage and willingness to make the change that's right for you. I can't imagine it was easy.

Thank you for being so open! Esp given the egos of the OR, it's very impressive for you to be so transparent and confident in your decision.

I'm glad to hear you are following your heart and discovered what you wanted for your life! Family medicine crew!

I'm a third year student. Thank you for the honest video. It's been stressful for my classmates and I to decide on a career with the limited exposure we've had so far. It's nice to hear from you and your experience and knowing we're not completely locked in after starting residency. Best of luck and skill on your new journey!

I only found your channel about an hour ago. I was able to watch a few videos before I saw this. You inspired me a lot during the last hour I spent watching your videos. However, when I finally reach my surgical residency dream, I hope you know that you are a part of that journey! Good luck and may you enjoy life wherever it takes you!

I can tell you’ll be a great family medicine physician! I’m really excited for you and can’t wait to see where things go from here 😊

Left Pathology residency after 6 years Now in Family Medicine for the past 2 years This hit my ego big time buh was thinking long term. No single regret

@cathyo1089

3 жыл бұрын

I admire your courage sis! Your best years are yet to come!

@parisrollins422

3 жыл бұрын

Isn’t pathology residency usually 3-4 years?

@Bambotb

3 жыл бұрын

Why would it hit your ego

@user-kr2ty9vk5n

3 жыл бұрын

As a current pathology resident, I'd love to hear about your journey!

@moodmeditation4458

3 жыл бұрын

Nice change of work enviroment.

So proud that you listened to your heart in this and didn’t feel pressured to stay in a career path that isn’t right for you!

I love your honesty man. Not many people I know would switch programmes halfway through, but it shows a certain level courage and self-respect. More power to you and best of luck in your new career! Would still love to be following your journey.

Congratulations on your decision !!! It takes courage and a lot of self knowledge to switch career paths in the medical field. I ll be sure to stick around, god bless !

It is okay to follow your heart Dr. Pham. Good luck with your next adventure!

Thank you so much for sharing this and congratulations for making this decision; it's a great step. I am a 3rd year medical student confused about picking IM or General Surgery. This video was what I was looking for. I love the thrill of being in the OR and operating, but I also really enjoy the other procedures such as scopes. I guess I want to be doing something in the middle of being hands on and still being able to communicate with patients. It's really hard picking a field to go in and there's not much guidance that is given to students on how to best pick. Thank you soo much for sharing this, I really appreciated it!

thats awesome. really glad you posted this video and great thoughts. would love to see your journey in your new speciality

Thank you for sharing! So many people find themselves confronting a similar battle.

Thanks for sharing! I think it's brave that you recognized your priorities and pursued necessary changes. Best of luck in FM!

2020 seems to have put things in perspective for a lot of us. Good luck on your next chapter!

It is never too late to seek the right specialty that suits you, best of luck with your career doctor 👍🏻 Personally I have applied for family medicine residency yesterday and Your video really helped reassuring me about: that from experience people might change their perspective with time. It takes a very mature individual to acknowledge with what they want and how they feel about their life.

Thanks for making this video. I’m in residency as well and it’s such a hard choice in Med school picking a forever career but it’s good you’ve been thoughtful about it.

Great to see you back doc! I am happy to see that you are doing well :) Best of luck to you and excited for this next chapter!

This is some great inspiration as a PGY-2 who has felt trapped since starting residency and is feeling very unhappy. Thank you for sharing this.

4th year applying into FM. Super proud to be able to join the same specialty as you next year! You seem really insightful and I think you’ll make an amazing FM doc. Also subscribing because I’d love to see FM content!!

For many years I thought I'd go into surgery. Now I'm deciding between emergency and anesthesia.

Amazing story very brave choice, excited to see day in the life of a family resident!

I’m glad you came to that conclusion thank you for sharing your journey you will be a great family medicine doctor . 🙏🏾

I really appreciate what you open about. man I'm in a similar situation just like you and The more reasons I have, the harder me to be brave. Thanks to you, now I have the courage to CHARGE

Your suture video was great and I found it the most useful as I was searching for tutorials on how to suture. Thank you for the content and education you have provided. I wish you well in your family practice residency, it sounds like you will be an amazing primary care physician!

You’re brave and I admire how you value your own self-reflections…and make the necessary changes to do what works best for you!

Good stuff, as an MS1 it's still far away but i'm glad you share your experience, all the best

Kudos on being able to recognize this early and courageously making the difficult decision to transition careers. I am sure you will become a great family physician! BTW I just finished my Mac FM residency last summer so very glad to hear you are joining our program

First time watching your videos - it took a lot of courage and self-reflection to follow your heart and know that it was time for a change, I’m sure it wasn’t easy. I know of a few others who have done the same. Thank you for sharing your experience and your reasons! Best of luck in FM! ✊🏼

So happy for you! What a wonderful field of medicine. ❤️

I switched from OBGYN after 2 years to family med. Totally get what you mean about the tipping point and whether its worth it to be "interested in the OR but not obsessed". Good luck!

Thank you so much for sharing your opinion! I’m a third year really struggling to decide what I want to apply into. This is helpful.

I left OBGYN residency to do Psychiatry instead. All of your points resonated with me. Good luck on your journey!

I salute you for your courage to share. I agree with you, life is short and one should have a work life balance, that is actually lacking in surgical fields. I wish you the best.

Dang!!! Well good luck brother. I’m glad you came to terms with it. I work in cardiothoracic surgery. It never stops.

Thank you for your honesty and advice. I enjoy reading the comments and everyone personal journey in medicine.

Thanks for this. I didn’t realize a lot people go through this. Good luck! Your surgery skills will be useful in Family Medicine.

He sure went on a good bit. Respect. I left one residency after a year for another and 5 years later I can say the grass isn’t always greener. Hope things work out well! Best of luck

Thanks for sharing. I did the same and took a break to reconsider a different specialty. Best of luck!

I am very happy for you! Thank you for your courage in sharing! I'm a third year med student in the US rotating through surgery right now. For the longest time in medicine, I hope to become a surgeon as well until I am on the rotation right now and realize how it would change me as a person. So I guess time will tell but I am praying that maybe I can learn to embrace FM (since I also as well really like the clinic) or if I get lucky with the match in ophthalmology, it would be perfect. Regardless thanks for sharing!

@hamiltonnewhart3053

3 жыл бұрын

I did not pursue surgery for that very reason. I didn't like the version of myself I would likely become throughout the brutal residency and early career (obviously gets better once you establish your career)

Great video man. Thanks for providing some insight into surgery vs medicine.

Just did the same exact thing, except I finished my first year and went into my second year in FM and it has been the best thing I ever did. You will not regret it!

Your decision took courage, and for that i applaud you 👏

Thanks for opening your heart and let us know your experience. The most important thing is how you feel. It is a just jump from specialty and salary but that is not relevant, the most important part is to enjoy every single day of your life and most important, with your family. It is much better to lose only 2 years or your life, rather than your entire life. Very brave Dr. Good luck in your new journey.

I’m sad to hear this but I wish you the best!! You are amazing and I love your videos

Dr. Pham! Congratulations on your decision! I look forward to being your colleague - I am applying for a residency position in Family Medicine. You will be a great human no matter what position you are in! Once again, congratulations!

Hi @Donavan Pham, MD Dr. Pham, I want to thank you for putting out this video. Although I am a practicing NP and won't get to do the things that you folks did in surgical residency, its interesting to see what sparks people to change careers. I think you explained it very well and have excellent not only insight but foresight. I've even learned from your video that its ok to switch specialities or jobs as an NP when reaching a certain threshold. I also learned some qualities from you that I want to incorporate into myself as a clinician from watching your video. You described some great reasons for switching specialities and for that I can just see you will make a superb physician that will be most peoples preference for a PCP. You explain things well and in a calm manner. That surgical training you did will definitely serve your future practice/role you will definitely see. I pray for your success and happiness in your new residency program!!!!

Bro.... I’m a 3rd year considering going into Family med... I’ve been thinking about it a lot and ur video has given me a lot to think about so thank u very much for sharing 🙏🏼

@mikky5301

3 жыл бұрын

You're Nigerian I guess.... What's the name of your university?

Difficult to recommend traveling at this time of COVID, but seek out what ticks you after a year off. Find out who you are first before committing to a residency. Live a little and meet people. Life has a way to finding you or you will know it when you have found it.

Congrats to you for the change and realizing what’s right for you. Currently an internal medicine intern at a county facility interested in cardiology and trying to still become accustomed to residency. I’ve had several moments where I’ve thought this isn’t the right field for me or maybe the right career for me as a whole but thinking these may just be daily frustrations of working at a county facility. Will stick with it for now but we shall see. Good luck to you man

Big decision. Good on you. Hopefully you strike a balance between your life and your career. It was Radiology for me, looking forward to it.

it's totally okay man, I know how you feel. If you need to cry, do it. Keep processing your stuff, because i can see that you have a lot of repressed sadness inside. You made the right choice, wish you luck.

anyway that experience you’ve gained in GS is priceless and will definitely help you!

Im about to enter the match for Fam in the US. I always get a lil warm when I hear that there are other passionate FM docs out there

Thank you for sharing, this made me reevaluate my dicisions( I was also considering surgery as a career)

As a pediatric surgeon and educator I want to thank you for sharing your message, this is a subject we don’t talk about and we should. Asking these questions…”what is important in life?” “What do I want to do with my free time?” You have a healthy mindset, good luck!

From general surgery to family medicine, that is a huge turn I hope you it turns out well for you

Love how eloquent your speech is. Thanks for sharing your story. I am so scared of choosing a specialty that I can’t be happy in. So far, I’m not sure. I have some interest in surgery but I’m scared it’s not real interest, so I’m stuck. Such a terrible feeling to be honest.

May you please do a video about your journey switching residency programs? How you go about it? The complications you may run across? If there is difficulty getting into another residency program? Maybe personally your fears and excitement along the way? This is something no one talks about! I would love to hear more about this.

Good luck with the next stage of your career! :) I'm sure you'll do great in family med!

Wow, you speak my mind! Great video! 👍👍I also have been thinking of career switch or doing something similar but with less stress and better quality of life! Hopefully I'll figure out my next step soon. Good luck with your future endeavors!😊

Can't wait to here from you about your family medicine residency...

Hey Dr. Pham! I switched from General Surgery into FM last year as well! Best decision I ever made. My lifestyle is so much better. Stress levels are incomparable. Good Luck Have Fun!

(i am speaking in general of those students here in the US) NO field in medicine is glamorous. BUT in this era of youtube, tv shows, covid, ig nurses and doctors, these serious medical careers have been deemed jokes. then young students (that have never worked, barely shadowed, have no patient or CUSTOMER experience) get into a field thinking it will be a tv drama. being a surgeon has always been a high learning curve, has always been an insane amount of schooling, has never/barely been known for having a flexible lifestyle. its crazy because i always hear older doctors, nurses, other healthcare professionals telling younger people not to get into the profession for the money or the glamour, but no one actually listens to this advice. you have to weigh these things BEFORE getting into these fields. i only say this because lately there have been so many students doing this for the glitz/glamour but there are so many IMGs/DOs/other students that will kill for a spot that we deem "we dont want" after a few years. thank you for being honest and telling everyone to WEIGH the odds and really think if they want to do something that has a lifelong commitment !

thank you for sharing your sincere experience!

Hi, Dr. Pham, I'm applying for Family Medecine too. Waiting to see more of your contents on the new journey.

I am currently in Medical School and I really like surgery but what you have mentioned in this video is what I am worried about for my future. I have a lot of hobbies that I can't imagine leaving, I have considered internal medicine but I am not very good at the pharmacological aspect of it. Thank you for this video.

Thank you for sharing! Good Luck!!

Super pumped for family med content!!

Congratulations bro...realizing the fact what u actually fit for is itself a very big achievement..congrats for your new chapter..hope I get u want from your life

Bold move 👍 Good luck for the future

Great video!!! So informative

Hey Donavan, I left my radiology residency training in Germany halfway through during the pandemic too. Thank you for sharing your story. Good luck and I congratulate you.

@donavanpham

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing, good luck to you too!

@highflyer23

3 жыл бұрын

What do you dislike about radiology?

@metalcultofficial

3 жыл бұрын

​@@highflyer23 I found it repetitive and monotonous. Also, there is a lack of appreciation for what radiologists do from clinicians and patients. Clinicians' attitude towards radiologists, in general, is not appreciative. Sometimes, It felt like the radiologist is only there to be blamed for every other clinician's miss diagnosis. While patients have no idea who the radiologist is and what do radiologists do. But what convinced me of leaving was the fact that later on, as Donavan mentioned, my chances will get even narrower after finishing my residency as a radiologist in terms of where to practice and the practice setup.

@highflyer23

3 жыл бұрын

@@metalcultofficial What specialty are you doing now? Do you think radiology has a limited practice setting?

@metalcultofficial

3 жыл бұрын

@@highflyer23 Yeah, I think so. I moved to research and writing. I might go back at some point and finish my residency in family medicine with a focus on neurological diseases.

Thanks for the video Doc. Many of us in residency are lost in that transition, I would really appreciate if you had explained how the specialty switch works.

Hope to see more of your videos, I'm excited 😊

Thank you for sharing. I’m 2.5 years out of FM residency. I’m now realizing that I regret not following my heart. Since the age of 10 I wanted to be an Obgyn. So now I’m reevaluating. Might be difficult now that I have a family but I can’t do something for 20+ years that does not bring me peace and joy. I don’t think anyone should feel stuck in their career. Appreciate you. Good luck.

@theshinythings123

2 жыл бұрын

Can you do an OB fellowship in FM? I heard people who choose to do that can shape their career to do mostly OB even though they are FM.

Sad that surgery wasn't the best fit for you since I loved your videos but wish you the best of luck!

@samanthacurtis6162

3 жыл бұрын

How were you able to find a place in another residency? My son took another month to study for his test and now only has 3 interviews and is freaking out. Glad it worked out for you.

Also planning to pursue surgery but I've decided to delay surgery residency for now because I don't think I'm still ready to face the stress of hospital training. I'll be working as a public health doctor for now and will also apply for a practice-based fmaily medicine specialty at the same which is offered in our country. It'll be for 3 yrs and I am not sure yet if I would still have the same plan after 3 years... The lengthy training for GS is what really sets me off. Anyways good luck on your new endeavors! Happy to have stumbled upon your vid

I don't know u just saw your vid and wanted to stop by and congratulate you on your brave decision dude, sometimes quitting is far more harder than keeping going. anyways I wish you the best as a med student myself

Always wanted to be a neurosurgeon when I started studying medicine. This is why I worked my ass off during university and finished my bachelor with excellent grades, masters will probably be the same. I am in my rotation in neurosurgery right now (1 year to go until I'm a resident) and I can now tell you: nah. I see these guys in hospital at 06:30 am and they stay there until 11 or even 12 pm, a lot of nightshifts and weekends of work. Brain surgeries are also not as amazing as I thought. And I didn't even tell you about the hierarchy...ugh

@rufio171

3 жыл бұрын

6:30???? your neurosurgery residents are sleeping in big time!

@Q-Bits8

3 жыл бұрын

@@rufio171 would you mind stopping the shittalk?

@moodmeditation4458

3 жыл бұрын

Yes it's unmotivating working on drunk drivers trauma etc

@djknauss1

3 жыл бұрын

@@Q-Bits8 its not shit talk, you know surgery residents get there at 5am at the latest...or maybe you dont actually know

@Q-Bits8

3 жыл бұрын

@@djknauss1 well it depends on the shift. Clearly you don't know what you're talking about lol

Yay family medicine! You will love it and you can also do many procedures! Goodluck!

good for you man. god speed!

Thank you so much for this video I’m considering switching specialities as well

I’m an anesthesia intern and during the pandemic we became high demand with all the intubations

@mxvegaxe1473

3 жыл бұрын

Im considering left my anesthesiology residency

@JayFitNurse

3 жыл бұрын

@@mxvegaxe1473 really? Why?

@mxvegaxe1473

3 жыл бұрын

@@JayFitNurse time consuming i barely see my daughter and my wife (they are stress out with situation),depression,toxic society,its only about the time when the ship is sinking.so i am considering to leave

I love this person!! 😭🙌🏽

super glad you were able to transfer to the family medicine program!

Welcome to FM! Really enjoy your videos, keep it up

I want to get into O&G residency still writing my steps, I am an IMG, I think you did well for yourself knowing what you want and going after it 🥂.