Can't decide on a specialty

[Jack Napier]

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Anyone have suggestions on how to figure out which specialty to go into? I'm at the end of M3 (US allopathic) and I am really struggling to make a decision. The only two things I hated were Surgery and OB/GYN...just not the surgical kind.

When I take the online quizzes my top ones are usually Neuro, Psych, Internal Med. Problem is...I didn't fall in love with anything or find my passion. I didn't hate Peds, Int. Med, Psych, or Family Med (so far), but I didn't love them either. Have no exposure to Neuro clerkship.

I like long term patient relationships for the most part. Outpatient seems to be more my speed as well.

Board Scores aren't too hot, so I'm pretty much banished to primary care specialties.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[ACSurgeon]

Anyone have suggestions on how to figure out which specialty to go into? I'm at the end of M3 (US allopathic) and I am really struggling to make a decision. The only two things I hated were Surgery and OB/GYN...just not the surgical kind.

When I take the online quizzes my top ones are usually Neuro, Psych, Internal Med. Problem is...I didn't fall in love with anything or find my passion. I didn't hate Peds, Int. Med, Psych, or Family Med (so far), but I didn't love them either. Have no exposure to Neuro clerkship.

I like long term patient relationships for the most part. Outpatient seems to be more my speed as well.

Board Scores aren't too hot, so I'm pretty much banished to primary care specialties.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Unless you have a strong desire for OB or peds, I'd suggest IM over FM. IM gives you a ton of options at the end of it, including outpatient work (except you don't get to work with kids, which I think pediatricians should be the only folks working with kids anyways, but that's a different discussion).

Psych and neuro are two very specialized fields, so unless they really rock(ed) your boat, I'd trend with caution.

 

[Rzarecta]

Anyone have suggestions on how to figure out which specialty to go into? I'm at the end of M3 (US allopathic) and I am really struggling to make a decision. The only two things I hated were Surgery and OB/GYN...just not the surgical kind.

When I take the online quizzes my top ones are usually Neuro, Psych, Internal Med. Problem is...I didn't fall in love with anything or find my passion. I didn't hate Peds, Int. Med, Psych, or Family Med (so far), but I didn't love them either. Have no exposure to Neuro clerkship.

I like long term patient relationships for the most part. Outpatient seems to be more my speed as well.

Board Scores aren't too hot, so I'm pretty much banished to primary care specialties.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

IM to Heme Onc. Take a Heme onc outpatient elective and see if it fits.

 

[Depakote]

Pm&r?

 

[Aphasic]

If you don't like Neuro (after you try it), You should do IM & FM 4th year rotations, cause, as mentioned, IM gives you lots of options at the end. What about EM or Radiology?

 

[cartoondoc]

You should consider PM&R (Plenty of Money & Relaxation.... er, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation). Nice hours, nice money, good long term relationships with patients.

My blog (linked in my signature) has a cartoon about what PM&R is, because nobody seems to know. It's a well-kept secret.

 

[Depakote]

You should consider PM&R (Plenty of Money & Relaxation.... er, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation). Nice hours, nice money, good long term relationships with patients.

My blog (linked in my signature) has a cartoon about what PM&R is, because nobody seems to know. It's a well-kept secret.

Agree with this assessment (also, love the blog).

 

[cartoondoc]

Thanks, Depakote. 🙂

I honestly think it's a shame more students don't get exposed to PM&R earlier on in training. I'm not saying it would be a super competitive field, but it might keep us from getting so many dropouts from IM and other fields.