Can't figure out what I want to be when I grow up.

[getunconcsious]

As a triathlete, I define my happiness by how much pain I can endure.

Don't listen to these people telling you how horrible everything is. If you really like a field then I think you have every right to be excited about it. I was all about psych in undergrad and guess what...I loved my psychiatry rotation! Probably wouldn't enjoy doing it as a career as much as path but I think often people's first instincts are pretty close to what they would like as a med student. One of my OB/Gyn chief residents had wanted to do OB/Gyn since high school! A lot of people here are very angry and cynical (i'm cynical but not angry) and they get off on discouraging people. Don't let it get to you, but keep your mind open at the same time. Best of luck!

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[funkless]

As a triathlete, I define my happiness by how much pain I can endure.

I've decided that you're a performance artist, not a pre-med, and that this is all a (hilarious) joke. Nobody is this narcissistic.

Great thread!

P.S. TSurg rules.

 

[RangerD]

I am a 30-year-old non-trad. Not some 22-year-old gunner who has seen ER one too many times. A friend of mine is a trauma surgeon where I volunteer. I've talked to him in great depth about what he does, and I see a lot of what goes from the ER to the OR in my volunteering. And my trauma center is hardly in the ghetto.

I really do have a better grasp on this than you think. My initial statement about trauma surgery was hyperbole. At the same time, it seems like the kind of thing I'd enjoy more than other areas of medicine. The possibility for something different every time is intriguing to me. I think I would enjoy dabbling in different types of procedures.

I'm a non-trad too...a little older than you though. And I did my rotation through Trauma Surg. Personally, I really liked it. It wasn't as bad as some of these folks are making it out to be. I thought it was an adrenaline rush when on call. They did seem to round a lot, but that was very attending dependent. There is good and not so good with all the rotations, but trauma surg was one that I'm glad I had the opportunity to experience.

It seems to me that you have an idea what it is like, and I think it is great that you already know of a specialty you are interested in. Keep an open mind though, because who knows what else you may find you like.

(On the other hand, maybe it's better NOT to have an open mind entering rotations. That's part of my problem. I have enjoyed most of my rotations to date, and as a result, I can't really cross any of them off the list!)

 

[smq123]

(On the other hand, maybe it's better NOT to have an open mind entering rotations. That's part of my problem. I have enjoyed most of my rotations to date, and as a result, I can't really cross any of them off the list!)

Hey - at least you can honestly say "I don't know yet" when your attending asks you what you want to do after med school. You don't have to play the fun mind game of "Do I tell him that I really want to do radiology, or do I keep that to myself??"

 

[smq123]

As a triathlete, I define my happiness by how much pain I can endure.

You'll probably do well on surgery and OB/gyn rotations then - for those rotations, it seems like half of your grade is determined by how little you complain.

But your statement kind of scares me - did anyone else read this and think "impaired physician"?

 

[TexasTriathlete]

I am unlikely to complain at all. I have pretty thick skin, and I typically keep my bitching to myself. Or I just do it on the internet.

I am dreading OB/GYN rotations though. In one instant, something that has always been happy and fun for me will be transformed into something putrid and disgusting.

 

[smq123]

I am dreading OB/GYN rotations though. In one instant, something that has always been happy and fun for me will be transformed into something putrid and disgusting.

"Putrid" is a little extreme. I wouldn't even call it disgusting. (Even though I got some meconium smeared on my cheek once.)

1st year anatomy lab, for me, WAS "putrid and disgusting." The slowly melting piles of adipose all around you, as you try to find some stupid little nerve? Blech.

OB/gyn is not that bad. And you will NOT associate it with your personal social life. There are pulmonologists that still smoke, and family med doctors that still overeat, so trust me - there are OB/gyns that still procreate.

 

[RangerD]

OB/gyn is not that bad...

While I haven't done my Ob/Gyn rotation yet, I have been in my share of delivery rooms and I recall the afterbirth to be pretty gross...

 

[smq123]

While I haven't done my Ob/Gyn rotation yet, I have been in my share of delivery rooms and I recall the afterbirth to be pretty gross...

It's not bad. You're wearing impermeable plastic booties and a sterile gown. Not to mention gloves and a mask.

Really. Not bad.

 

[getunconcsious]

It's not bad. You're wearing impermeable plastic booties and a sterile gown. Not to mention gloves and a mask.

Really. Not bad.

Obviously this is a matter of opinion. I must insist that OB rotation was completely grotesque. I remember on the very last day I was soooooo happy that I'd never have to hear this again:

"AND PUSH ON YOUR BOTTOM....2....3....4 (turd falls out)...5....6..."

Soo gross. and then you think the baby will be cute but it comes out covered in this nasty vernix, like someone smeared freaking Crisco all over the damn thing.

The whole rotation is if you ask me, but some people liked it, so u never know which type you'll be...

 

[AmoryBlaine]

I am unlikely to complain at all. I have pretty thick skin, and I typically keep my bitching to myself. Or I just do it on the internet.

I am dreading OB/GYN rotations though. In one instant, something that has always been happy and fun for me will be transformed into something putrid and disgusting.

I think it's funny that one of the reasons everyone is so down on Ob-Gyn is because it is "gross." I was much more grossed out in the ER and everyone seems to love that (including me I guess).

Very few patients on Ob-Gyn are homeless, most have bathed recently.

 

[smq123]

Obviously this is a matter of opinion. I must insist that OB rotation was completely grotesque. I remember on the very last day I was soooooo happy that I'd never have to hear this again:

"AND PUSH ON YOUR BOTTOM....2....3....4 (turd falls out)...5....6..."

Soo gross. and then you think the baby will be cute but it comes out covered in this nasty vernix, like someone smeared freaking Crisco all over the damn thing.

The whole rotation is if you ask me, but some people liked it, so u never know which type you'll be...

True, but I still found OB to be less gross than surgery in some ways. At least the patients on OB/gyn are pretty young (for the most part) and are generally in the hospital for only a short period of time. Compare that to some of the patients on trauma or general surgery, who are in the hospital forEVER...and certainly long enough to develop a ton of C. diff.

Nothing quite like walking into the SICU, catching a deep whiff of the unmistakeable odor of necrotic decub ulcers + explosive c. diff barf, all on an empty stomach - it led to some pretty bad dry heaving once.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

I think sleeping in the wet spot is just about the grossest thing in the world. On the other hand, I don't mind mangled limbs, exposed brains, and construction nails in the head.

 

[drfunktacular]

I think sleeping in the wet spot is just about the grossest thing in the world. On the other hand, I don't mind mangled limbs, exposed brains, and construction nails in the head.

Ortho, NSGY, NSGY... Then you get to take care of them while they're pooping C.diff in their ICU bed.

(sorry, couldn't resist)

 

[Anka]

I think it's funny that one of the reasons everyone is so down on Ob-Gyn is because it is "gross." I was much more grossed out in the ER and everyone seems to love that (including me I guess).

Very few patients on Ob-Gyn are homeless, most have bathed recently.

I was grossed out on ED too.... because of the pelvics. At least in the ED there is something to relieve the sheer monotony of staring at the box.

Anka

 

[OrnotMajestic]

I am dreading OB/GYN rotations though. In one instant, something that has always been happy and fun for me will be transformed into something putrid and disgusting.

I dreaded my OB/GYN rotation as well, which is why I scheduled it first. Then? I loved it. It was a surprise to me, but apparently not to my friends...but that's another story. Anywho, pretty sure I'll be heading down the poon highway come 4th year.

Then again, I still have 3 more rotations to go...though two of them consist of peds and psych...dealt with more than enough of both on family medicine to have an idea that neither are the correct career path for me.

 

[Miami_med]

I think it's funny that one of the reasons everyone is so down on Ob-Gyn is because it is "gross." I was much more grossed out in the ER and everyone seems to love that (including me I guess).

Very few patients on Ob-Gyn are homeless, most have bathed recently.

I promise that this isn't the case at all places

 

[EvoDevo]

I dreaded my OB/GYN rotation as well, which is why I scheduled it first. Then? I loved it. It was a surprise to me, but apparently not to my friends...but that's another story. Anywho, pretty sure I'll be heading down the poon highway come 4th year.

Then again, I still have 3 more rotations to go...though two of them consist of peds and psych...dealt with more than enough of both on family medicine to have an idea that neither are the correct career path for me.

"poon highway"

 

[EvoDevo]

Me? I keep flipping all over the place. I had a pretty good time on OB/Gyn, much to my surprise. Psych was even more fun. Surgery has been more turbulent but ultimately most satisfying. I dunno, I dunno. Emergency medicine???

*sigh*

 

[Arctic Char]

just to make an update for the sake of posting . . . i think, and i'm 97% here, that its path for me.

hey, i'm a pathologist. i'm a pathologist. i'm a pathologist.

i think it has a nice ring to it . . . at least i feel good enough saying it. i'm a pathologist. thats right, i dissect babies and look at slides, and yes, i love it.

care for tea?

 

[Llenroc]

just to make an update for the sake of posting . . . i think, and i'm 97% here, that its path for me.

hey, i'm a pathologist. i'm a pathologist. i'm a pathologist.

i think it has a nice ring to it . . . at least i feel good enough saying it. i'm a pathologist. thats right, i dissect babies and look at slides, and yes, i love it.

care for tea?

You need to start walking around in a brown sport coat, and playing the part of the absent minded professor.

 

[UT_mikie]

Based on the fact that you would prefer not to wear scrubs, care about what other docs think of you (bad habit BTW, someone will always think you're an idiot), are annoyed by kids and bad parents, prefer patient contact, prefer good outcomes, and don't like cutting enough to do a surgical residency or work the hours, I think you are left with Medicine, Derm, Optho, and ENT. As a future EM doc (ie, unbiased), allow me to disabuse you of your misconceptions regarding these fields.

Medicine - Love the people, love thinking about the pathophys of disease, but won't be curing a damn thing. Hours are crapp, salary is crapp. Subspecialties like Cardiology or Gastroenterology offer greater salary, better hours, and you can "cure" an arrhythmia via ablation, ischemia via catheterization, or cancer via colonoscopy.

Derm - I once missed a question on an exam ... hence not an option. Cute but of course wrong. And you can match if you apply yourself. You will have some handy little procedures and knowledge few possess. The caveat is that some docs may still not think you are a real doc, if you care about such things. You can "cure" acne and early melanoma

Optho - Don't know enough about it, but its a possibility for me. Is it too specialized though? Again, forget about what others think. Optho is a fascinating field with a lot of variety, from trauma to glaucoma, and you can "cure" cataracts and restore vision! Definitely do an elective in this field

ENT - A 5 year residency and you are a surgical specialist! Manage everything from chronic sinusitis to hearing loss. Insert cochlear implants and 'cure" deafness, fix a deviated nasal septum and the chronically SOB pt can become a runner! Lots of prestige and moula, like the previous specialties you mentioned.

Psychiatry seems wonderful as well, if you are willing to take the pay cut.

Check out the UVa Medical specialties and Careers in Medicine sites as well. It would be easy-peasy to take electives in a few of these fields.
My $0.02

Responses like this are great, even a few of the thinly veiled insults thrown at my OP, but hey, at least I'm getting a response. Yea, its not about what other people think I know, I'm starting to realize that every field puts down every other field so whats the point? Its all about the patient care anyway right? Right? ... yea.

At the moment (this will change by my next post I'm sure) anesthesia is sounding attractive considering I could probably match into it, and the lifestyle is good. Being in the OR the past 2 months, all of the anesthesiologists look like they are having a great time, they don't round, and they get get to think about all of that physiology and alter it instantaneously.

Radiology is also seeming tempting, but in terms of being able to do IR things, I wonder how difficult it is to place into an IR fellowship. I don't know if I'd be happy reading films all day for the rest of my life.

I thougth about psych too. You can actually do a whole lot of good in psych in terms of improving peoples quality of life. I'll wait until my psyche rotation before I really form a solid opinion of this field though.

Man, this is tough. Its like a year long career fair. I figure I'll be like most and figure it out just before 4th year schedule needs to be turned in.

Oh yea, and you ahve to be a certain type of person to be into trauma. Even the trauma surgeons at my school readily admit that it sucks hardcore at times, and they have to have a good sense of humor in order to cope. But they really want to do it. So if you think you are interested in it, than god speed we need good trauma surgeons.

 

[Arctic Char]

You need to start walking around in a brown sport coat, and playing the part of the absent minded professor.

been there, done that . . . loved it

but i am still pursuing that coveted collection of leather bound books . . .

 

[getunconcsious]

been there, done that . . . loved it

but i am still pursuing that coveted collection of leather bound books . . .

Just wanted to say I'm very happy to see another probable future pathologist on here. I'm sort of going through the whole "do I really want to commit to never seeing patients again?" thing though. Then again, 90% of patients are burdensome, and sign out is infinitely superior to rounds....so neonatal autopsies, here I come!

 

[Arctic Char]

Just wanted to say I'm very happy to see another probable future pathologist on here. I'm sort of going through the whole "do I really want to commit to never seeing patients again?" thing though. Then again, 90% of patients are burdensome, and sign out is infinitely superior to rounds....so neonatal autopsies, here I come!

word. thats also what i have had trouble with . . . "do i really want to hang up the stethoscope forever?" . . . but every morning on rounds i just sit there and daydream of what this patient's liver or lungs would look like under a microscope. call me weird, but at least i'm interested, and i'll get to go home at a reasonable hour

 

[Llenroc]

I'd love to hang up my stethoscope. I've never heard anything useful.

On my Cardiology rotation (which I did, in order to master the physical exam) one of the attendings said flat out that he didn't care about heart sounds, because all he paid attention to was the ECG and Echocardiogram.

 

[Terpskins99]

As someone that likewise isn't sure what to do, I'm learning quite a bit from hearing from fellow 3rd years. Btw UT_mikie, I pretty much lost interest in psych after the rotation. Psych is one of those fields that is fascinating to read about, but a nightmare to practice (ugh, especially with regard to the crisis unit... THAT is where all the nasty, funky smelling homeless dudes end up). Psych consults were kinda neat though. I haven't done neurology yet (the field I had the most interest in after MS2), but I'm worried that it might be a similar sobering experience.

Thus far, I've whittled my list to Neuro, rads, gas, oto and optho mostly based on me enjoying head/neck anatomy along with not hating general surgery rotation (hah, hows that for a reason?). Neurosurg I ruled out after finding that the majority of procedures they do are spinal cord (well that and their hellacious work schedule).

I hear that neurologists (general neurologists) often don't feel they have a specified role in a hospital. That a common theme with consults is they arrive after the fact and can't do much other than tell you what happened. And with management, its usually situation where you have a patient that is slowly but surely deteriorating.

 

[153445]

As someone that likewise isn't sure what to do, I'm learning quite a bit from hearing from fellow 3rd years. Btw UT_mikie, I pretty much lost interest in psych after the rotation. Psych is one of those fields that is fascinating to read about, but a nightmare to practice (ugh, especially with regard to the crisis unit... THAT is where all the nasty, funky smelling homeless dudes end up). Psych consults were kinda neat though. I haven't done neurology yet (the field I had the most interest in after MS2), but I'm worried that it might be a similar sobering experience.

Thus far, I've whittled my list to Neuro, rads, gas, oto and optho mostly based on me enjoying head/neck anatomy along with not hating general surgery rotation (hah, hows that for a reason?). Neurosurg I ruled out after finding that the majority of procedures they do are spinal cord (well that and their hellacious work schedule).

I hear that neurologists (general neurologists) often don't feel they have a specified role in a hospital. That a common theme with consults is they arrive after the fact and can't do much other than tell you what happened. And with management, its usually situation where you have a patient that is slowly but surely deteriorating.

I'm on my neuro rotation right now, and it seems that most of the neuro attendings at my institution have subspecialized. Stroke service can be interesting and fun (lots of hard work though) if you like radiology, the ICU setting, and emergent situations. I have to say that pushing tPA was one of the highlights of the entire rotation. You're right: management of stroke, epilepsy, seizures secondary to an underlying medical condition ... more often than not doesn't bring a patient back to baseline, and you would have to be okay with dealing with emotional patients and families. Since you are interested in radiology, neuroradiology could be a happy marriage of interests, and the neuroradiologists I've worked with so far seem pretty frickin' cool.

 

[153445]

You can actually do a whole lot of good in psych in terms of improving peoples quality of life.

When I was doing in-patient adult psych at HCPC, only 2 patients out of the 40 or so we saw during my 3 weeks there actually experienced changes for the better. If you don't like internal medicine because medicine patients don't really get better fast, you're probably not going to like psych for the exact same reason.