How do go about picking a specialty?!?!?!

[doc3341]

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Hi everyone,Ill be starting med school this coming August. I was just wondering how you go about figuring out what specialty might best suit you? Everyone I know tells me that you end up figuring this out during your third and 4th year,but is there any method that might help me narrow down what I like and dont like? I'm pretty sure im leaning more towards medicine than surgery, but thats about allim sure of. Any advice/words of wisdom?

Thanks

 

[darrvao777]

I don't think you're gonna like my response but here goes:

You probably won't know until 3rd year. That's when you get all of your exposure to clinical medicine. During the first 2 years, all you'll get to know is syllabus, syllabus, syllabus.

That being said, I've heard that the surgery rotation is one of the biggest factors in making a decision. After that rotation, people will almost know for certain whether they prefer surgery or medicine.

 

[robotsonic]

Agree completely with darrvao777. You won't figure it out in your first and second year, because you don't have enough exposure to the fields. Even if you think you don't want surgery, you might like it. I absolutely knew when I started med school that I wasn't going to be a surgeon, and that was really all I was sure of. When I started third year I was almost certain that I would be a neurologist, so I did my surgery rotation first to get it out of the way... and I loved it... skip ahead to now...I'm waiting for the match results so that I can find out which general surgery program I will be starting in the summer.

It's not just about what diseases you want to work with... it's about the culture of the field and the people you will interact with. Different specialties have different personalities, and you may not figure those out until third year. For example, I definitely have a surgeon personality, but I didn't realize this until I worked with surgeons.

There are questionnaires that are supposed to help you figure out what you want to do, but I don't think they are too reliable. I always get wildly different results on different tests, or I'll get ridiculous results (like #1 will be cardiothoracic surgery and #2 will be primary care - that's absurd). Don't count on those to be accurate, although they can be fun to do.

 

[doc3341]

Well, I definetely appreciate the honesty!!! I guess Ill jst have to wait and see. Thanks again

 

[flighterdoc]

People usually go to medical school with an idea of what specialty they want.

They leave medical school with a different one.

Relax - it will come to you. BTW, I recommend getting a copy of Isersons 'Getting a Residency' NOW, and thinking about it.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/18...ref=sr_1_1/102-1458979-8487369?_encoding=UTF8

 

[Stephanieukmed]

Agree completely with darrvao777. You won't figure it out in your first and second year, because you don't have enough exposure to the fields. Even if you think you don't want surgery, you might like it. I absolutely knew when I started med school that I wasn't going to be a surgeon, and that was really all I was sure of. When I started third year I was almost certain that I would be a neurologist, so I did my surgery rotation first to get it out of the way... and I loved it... skip ahead to now...I'm waiting for the match results so that I can find out which general surgery program I will be starting in the summer.

It's not just about what diseases you want to work with... it's about the culture of the field and the people you will interact with. Different specialties have different personalities, and you may not figure those out until third year. For example, I definitely have a surgeon personality, but I didn't realize this until I worked with surgeons.

There are questionnaires that are supposed to help you figure out what you want to do, but I don't think they are too reliable. I always get wildly different results on different tests, or I'll get ridiculous results (like #1 will be cardiothoracic surgery and #2 will be primary care - that's absurd). Don't count on those to be accurate, although they can be fun to do.

I agree too. My advice is do as well as you can first and second year so that you don't close any doors (an even if you do its ok cause that probably wasn't meant for you), and keep a really open mind 3rd year. You never know what bug will bite you. I was certain the first 2 and a half year of med school that I wanted to do general surgery with a surg onc fellowship, and I didn't like my general surgery rotation. So, long story short I thought I would hate OBGYN and put it last (to put it off as long as possible), and now I'm hoping to match in OBGYN next week.

Best of luck, it a long road...but its worth it when its all over. 🙂

 

[doc3341]

People usually go to medical school with an idea of what specialty they want.

They leave medical school with a different one.

Relax - it will come to you. BTW, I recommend getting a copy of Isersons 'Getting a Residency' NOW, and thinking about it.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/18...ref=sr_1_1/102-1458979-8487369?_encoding=UTF8

Thanks, Ill definetely check this out!

 

[new_avatar]

This is helpful.

http://www.smbs.buffalo.edu/RESIDENT/CareerCounseling/intro.htm

 

[Koko]

While I agree with much of what has been said, there is an important caveat: if there is any chance that you may be interested or could develop an interest in a highly competitive field (e.g. derm, ophtho, etc.), shadow a bit in your first two years to help make your decision. The reality is that should you have an interest in one of those fields, you should make contacts and get involved in research early to give yourself a realistic shot at matching. Good luck and have fun.

 

[usnavdoc]

While I agree with much of what has been said, there is an important caveat: if there is any chance that you may be interested or could develop an interest in a highly competitive field (e.g. derm, ophtho, etc.), shadow a bit in your first two years to help make your decision. The reality is that should you have an interest in one of those fields, you should make contacts and get involved in research early to give yourself a realistic shot at matching. Good luck and have fun.

This is actually a great idea not just for competitive fields. There will be attendings who teach alot on rounds(just ask M3 and M4 students who they are) then you can shadow them to start getting an appreciation for whatever specialty you want to check out. Another thing to check out is conferance schedules of various specialties.

Me and a friend did this in our M2 year with a medicine attending and on the trauma service. It was really a nice escape to go do that a few mornings a week rather than be in the library.

 

[geekgirl]

When I started third year I was almost certain that I would be a neurologist, so I did my surgery rotation first to get it out of the way... and I loved it... skip ahead to now...I'm waiting for the match results so that I can find out which general surgery program I will be starting in the summer.

robot - ME TOO!!!!
neurology was what i thought. now i'm awaing the surgery life.
what's up with us?

but to the OP, he's right, you really won't know until you walk into the hospital and try that job on. you realize quickly where you love to be. and where you can't wait to leave. it's definitely surprising.

best of luck.

 

[cchoukal]

There's an undercurrent here of "do well in case you decide on something competitive," and I just wanted to shout that a little louder. For people who go to pass/fail schools and think they want something like peds or FP (or something else that's not particularly cmpetitive), there seems to be a temptation to work less hard, do less research, etc., with the thought that they won't need to do all that well to get a good spot. I'm sure this isn't the majority, but I certainly saw a few people at my school living this way. Anyway, work hard, do as well as you can, kick butt on Step I, do research (in any field, no matter what you ultimately go into), meet with student specialty interest groups (EM interest group, surgery interest group, whatever), and just try to be excellent all the time. Then, when you finally figure out what you want, you will not have eliminated anything by not having done your best. And if you DO ultimately decide on something not super competitive, you'll compete for the best programs in the country.