I can see two places where it would help...
Getting a (competitive) residency
Working in private practice (vs academic or private hospital)
Is networking necessary to be successful? Or do you still have a high chance of success (provided your scores are good enough) if you have zero network?
I know it can't hurt but for some careers (like IB) you're not going anywhere if you have no network
So you are admitting that networking is beneficial to: 1) obtain training in the field you have devoted the better part of your adult life pursuing and 2) putting that training to use. I guess you'll have to decide if that is beneficial.
As
@psychhopefull2016 illustrated, networking can help you get where you want to be, regardless of the perceived competitiveness of the specialty. I mean, isn't that ultimately what matters - doing what you want to do, where you want to do it?
Networking isn't a synonym for cronyism or nepotism. It is a component to being great at what you do. No one works in isolation and your reputation, for better or for worse, will proceed you. Might as well use it to your benefit to maximize your opportunities. If you don't you are just going to leave those opportunities out there for others whose hustle game is stronger.
It is naive to think that you won't need to get to know others who might be able to help you in either academics or inpatient work.
Networking is overrated. Unless you want to match into derm, a strong work ethic is all you really need. Talk is cheap. Work hard and let your achievements speak for themselves.
Talk is indeed cheap, but
no one is more qualified than you are to talk about your achievements. Why would you let someone else control that aspect of your professional career?