Best field in medicine ? Any lists

[FreeMeDoctor]

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I realize the best field in medicine is quite subjective but many different organizations make up list of the best careers and best grad schools and they list a bunch of reasons why they include or do not include certain choices. Has anyone seen a similar list for best fields in medicine ?

 

[akinf]

well...just look at the match reports. The most competitive are clearly the most popular and would probably be seen as the best in medicine. Derm/Plastics/RadOnc. If you are looking at an objective assessment of "the best"...I highly doubt you will find anything for that.

 

[Tired Pigeon]

well...just look at the match reports. The most competitive are clearly the most popular and would probably be seen as the best in medicine. Derm/Plastics/RadOnc. If you are looking at an objective assessment of "the best"...I highly doubt you will find anything for that.

Keep in mind that the competitiveness of some fields is due to the small number of available spots each year.

 

[psipsina]

It really depends on how you define best. Is it having the best lifestyle? Or making the most money? Or having the most cutting edge toys? This is different for everyone which is why its subjective. Maybe if you could be more specific about what you think makes a specialty the best we could give you a list.

 

[xylem29]

One possible way to assess this is to make an ordered list of fields where the docs are happy...

very happy
somewhat happy
content
dissatisfied overrall

And then you could see which fields had the highest % of very happy and somewhat happy docs...or something like that

 

[p9142]

PM&R is uncompetitive, and it has one of the highest satifaction ratings. It also pays fairly decently.

 

[Tired Pigeon]

On a different but related note, any thoughts on the worst specialties?

 

[p9142]

On a different but related note, any thoughts on the worst specialties?

I found it!

 

[Law2Doc]

well...just look at the match reports. The most competitive are clearly the most popular and would probably be seen as the best in medicine. Derm/Plastics/RadOnc. If you are looking at an objective assessment of "the best"...I highly doubt you will find anything for that.

Hard to say that most competitive equals most "popular". It usually actually means having the fewest spots or requiring the highest Step 1 scores. Only a portion of the class has any shot at certain specialties and so the majority of a given class won't be interviewing/applying for those. It's not like premed applications where people fire off longshot applications -- you tend to get advised into a field you realistically have a shot at. Based on being the most "populous", I would think things like IM would be the most "popular".

As for "best", I agree it is pretty meaningless. What you like the best is the best for you. The goal is to get into a specialty that interests you, something you can picture yourself doing every day for the majority of the remainder of your life, not to land something just because it is competitive, or perhaps pays a bit more. Benchmarking against others to be the most competitive is well and nice but doesn't necessarilly get you to the target you really WANT to do; time to shake this mentality, and start worrying about what is best for you, not best in the abstract. In any med school class, there will be dozens of people who feel like they got into the best field, and most will not be talking about the same field.

 

[apnea]

I found it!

At least this way you're guaranteed 18 holes a day...

 

[durfen]

rad!

 

[Critical Mass]

I found it!

Actually, if that residency provides training with surgical procedures and/or colonoscopy, you can bet that it is damn competative.

GI fellowships are among the hardest to get into.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

One possible way to assess this is to make an ordered list of fields where the docs are happy...

very happy
somewhat happy
content
dissatisfied overrall

And then you could see which fields had the highest % of very happy and somewhat happy docs...or something like that

There's data like that to be found on here:
http://medweb.usc.edu/pathways/interior.htm?specialty_profiles.htm

The most competitive specialties do indeed have the most satisfied practioners.

 

[highcidity]

Derm...

 

[Critical Mass]

If I told you, then you'd compete with me for it.

 

[Depakote]

Best Specialty: McNinja

Worst Specialty: Anything Else

 

[Eric Lindros]

I'm going to have to say I-Banking.

 

[oldbearprofessor]

One possible way to assess this is to make an ordered list of fields where the docs are happy...

very happy
somewhat happy
content
dissatisfied overrall

And then you could see which fields had the highest % of very happy and somewhat happy docs...or something like that

www.gpscholar.uthscsa.edu/gpscholar/FacultyScholars/cr/genmed/library/aimvol162pg1577.pdf

Is the classic study from a few years ago. Geriatrics and neonatology finished #1 and #2, which is why I've suggested the need for a combined fellowship!

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=386582

 

[xylem29]

www.gpscholar.uthscsa.edu/gpscholar/FacultyScholars/cr/genmed/library/aimvol162pg1577.pdf

Is the classic study from a few years ago. Geriatrics and neonatology finished #1 and #2, which is why I've suggested the need for a combined fellowship!

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=386582

Cool article thanks! I noticed that CT surgery is also high up there, at 53% very satisfied.

 

[schooltill30]

Try this list - most sued specialties in medicine:

• Obstetrics - Gynecology
  
• Neurosurgery
  
• General Surgery
  
• Emergency medicine
  
• Orthopedic surgery
  
• Radiology
• Family Practice

I don't know what this points to, but I guess it's interesting.
btw, the link is http://mdsalaries.blogspot.com/2006/06/which-specialties-get-sued-most-in-usa.html

 

[Critical Mass]

This one...

Tell them Peds Gyn, watch them back away.