Cardiology vs Surgery

[CutIt]

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I have long considered going into surgery, but have serious reservations over the "surgical lifestyle" (tried the reportedly laid-back field of ENT but was bored in it). Can anyone comment if cardiology is similar in being able to "fix" a patient's problem? It seems to me that I crave the ability to deal with challenging problems that are having a profound impact on the patient's life (cancer vs. acne, for example) that I would be able to "fix"....and not have to sell my soul and the rest of my life to do it.

Can anyone help?

 

[Winged Scapula]

While Invasive Cardiology does offer a good mix of medicine and procedural based practice, the lifestyle is one of the worst as far as Medicine specialities go.

Many cardiac emergencies happen after hours, requiring not only your input but your presence. Therefore, if you were looking for a medical field but without the "surgical lifestyle" Cards isn't the way to go. It may not be as bad as some Surgical practices, but its no Derm (and BTW, my two cents is that fixing acne CAN have a profound effect on someone's life.)

I think you'll find many procedural based specialties have the same lifestyle problems - ie, GI, Interventional Rads - someone is going to have to be on call for emergent procedures.

 

[unregistered]

What about Rad Onc? You basically treat cancer all day long but the only real rad onc emergency is tumor compression on spinal cord. The lifestyle is supposed to be very good. Although like most attractive specialties, it is an extremely competative match. You also will not be doing surgery. But if you are considering cardiology as well then Rad Onc might be a good fit.

 

[neutropeniaboy]

Originally posted by CutIt
I have long considered going into surgery, but have serious reservations over the "surgical lifestyle" (tried the reportedly laid-back field of ENT but was bored in it).

Are you a third year medical student? If so, I suggest that's why you were bored with ENT. You're exposed to it only for a brief time.

Do a Sub-I!

Let's face it, nothing's more satisfying than watching your Xomed debrider suck up those nasal polyps and ripping out bone with the back biters. 😀

 

[CutIt]

I am a 4th year and i have already done a sub-I in ENT; that experience was what I was referring to.

 

[ckyuen]

Have you considered ophthalmology? It's a great field. Removing a cataract from someone who has a hand motion cataract and in many cases having them see 20/20 the next week is truly rewarding. Eye MD's are always getting gifts of appreciation from their patients for the profound impact they have on their patients' lives. Losing vision is one of the general publics top fears in life. Using the equipment in Ophtho is very challenging, and the microsurgery is very detailed which makes the work all the more interesting.