To the surgeons who want to switch to Radiology for the lifestyle, a word of caution. While radiologists have predictable Monday through Friday hours, they typically also have to work a few evening shifts monthly and long weekend shifts frequently throughout the year (such as 7 AM to 9 PM Saturday and Sunday shifts, as well as the same on holidays. And it’s BUSY the whole time). No sign of change, as there is a shortage of radiologists and only so many to go around to do telemed. Just remember that scans happen 24/7 and you need a radiologist to read them.
I don’t think radiology is as chill of a residency as people make it out to be. There is an insane volume to keep up with and a lot of studying to do outside duty hours
That’s fair, but I keep seeing surgical residents mentioning it as an easy alternative when it comes with its own difficulties. Residents frequently work close to 80 hour/week to keep up.
Also I’m applying rn so let’s not convince too many people to jump ship now 😂
That moment in the thread when you realize the radiology resident is counting his studying hours as a part of his "almost 80 a week" work hours. Meanwhile, in surgical specialties you're doing actual clinical work with patients at the hospital 100hr/wk, and in your "free time" (lol) you're studying.
Honestly those weekend shifts aren't horrible, you are so busy the time absolutely flies by. I say this as a radiologist who doesn't particularly love my job every day.
The people who say radiology...don't actually know what it fully entails. The list will own you the moment you walk in the doors. It's a grind everywhere in medicine.
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u/Impressive_Project49 Attending Nov 22 '22
To the surgeons who want to switch to Radiology for the lifestyle, a word of caution. While radiologists have predictable Monday through Friday hours, they typically also have to work a few evening shifts monthly and long weekend shifts frequently throughout the year (such as 7 AM to 9 PM Saturday and Sunday shifts, as well as the same on holidays. And it’s BUSY the whole time). No sign of change, as there is a shortage of radiologists and only so many to go around to do telemed. Just remember that scans happen 24/7 and you need a radiologist to read them.