Finding Direction in Medicine

[U4iA]

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Hello everyone! Thanks taking the time to read my post.

Question:
Do you have any recommendations on how someone could go about expanding thier knowledge of various medical fields? What is the best way to identify and approach someone who may be able to offer solid advice? Are current residents in a better position to provide actionable advice when compared to attendings?

Personal Background:
I am a medical student and until recently I have considered myself somewhat knowledgable about the different fields in medicine. I often give talks to undergraduates and high school students that focuses on uncovering the motivations to go to medical school, attitutudes toward work and medicine, etc. But that information is readily available to any undergraduate or high school student.

I am starting to realize that I have little knowledge about how to move forward myself and the resources I would need to make decisions seem to be limited and elusive. Moreover, I have found few people who have already crossed these roads who can provide good advice (often because the people who can give the best advice are very busy). I go to a school without a teaching hospital so I am missing an atmosphere that encourages students to interact with residents and even third and fourth year medical students.

Thank you very much for reading this post.

I wish you all the best.

 

[U4iA]

any thoughts?

 

[Qafas]

I think the best thing for you to do is to seek information from a variety of sources. I would begin by simply browsing through SDN's various specialty forums; and through other internet sources, such as FREIDA and specialty association webpages. That should give you atleast some idea of what various specialties are like.
As for first hand information, both residents and attendings can be great sources. You must be careful, however, to not put too much stock in any one person's views. I have often found attendings to be jaded about their profession and, indeed, about all of medicine. In fact, I can say the same about some of the residents. So, be careful to sort out the objective information from their personal experiences. I'm assuming that you haven't started clinicals yet. When you do, you'll get a fair idea of what various fields are like. Narrow it down, and do some electives. Even then, know that life in the same specialty can be very different for any two people. I've run across more than a handful of people who changed their fields after having gone through a significant amount, or even all, of the training.
Good luck.

 

[penguins]

I just fell in love with my choice the first few days of the elective. Never would have thought I would have liked it.
Sometimes you just know. If you haven't done clinicals yet - the choice might be clearer once you get into them. If you have done clinicals already they try some electives you haven't already.
Good Luck!

 

[Stephanieukmed]

There is a website called careers in medicine. I didn't find it very helpful, but it has a lot of information about what different specialties do, how much money they make, and what subspecialties are available through them. It also has some stupid thing that shows what personality types are drawn to certain specialties - that was the part I thought was stupid because mine wasn't on any of them.
Also, I really think most people figure it out during clinicals. First you figure out whether you prefer medicine or surgery, and go from there. There are lots of options down each branch. And if you don't really like either, maybe check out anethesia, rads, psych, or some of the other specialties that don't really fit on catagory or the other.
Don't fret though, you'll figure it out. Usually whatever you are supposed to do will hit you like a ton of bricks and you will just know.
Hope that helps.

 

[Waiting4Ganong]

This might help:

http://www.gruntdoc.com/pics/bmj.jpg