i am confused between ophth. and ortho.

[arabian_ eagle]

i am really confused between these 2 fields, i like both fields but i dont know how to choose the right one for me.


please help me

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[GuP]

i am really confused between these 2 fields, i like both fields but i dont know how to choose the right one for me.


please help me

hey there buddy.

i may not be the best person to answer your question but i guess i can try a little. ophtho and ortho are two very different specialties. orthopedic surgery deals with surgery of the joints and the bones. it is regarded as highly competitive and very lucrative. if you want to read more about what orthopedics is about, you can go here. i am not sure if that is the best site out there but it has a good deal about the scope of ortho and what they do, etc, etc.

ophtho deals with eyes. anything with the eye (diseases, trauma, etc.) is dealt in the realm of ophtho. this field is also regarded as highly competitive, is lucrative (not as much as ortho), and provides a better lifestyle, IMO, when compared to ortho. read up on the ophtho faq composed by dr. doan and other great people here.

i think thats all i am qualified to say. there are real opthalmalogists and orthopedic surgeons in these forums who are way better qualified to answer your questions. i suggest you use google and really see what the differences are.

 

[EYESURG]

i am really confused between these 2 fields, i like both fields but i dont know how to choose the right one for me.


please help me

I had the same problem, but eventually i figured it out. One thing may help you, ask yourself which one you like close to 100%. I personally liked ophtho 100% or very close while i thought i liked ortho about 90%. I couldn't let myself go into a field that demands so much and not like it 100%. That 10% will always comes back to haunt you when you are up at 3am doing an ORIF. Wish you good luck.

 

[arabian_ eagle]

GuP


Eyesurg



thanks for replying

 

[DOapplicant]

if you dont' mind me asking, what is the common thing that makes you like both?
to me, the procedures are incredibly different.

 

[monkey7247]

if you dont' mind me asking, what is the common thing that makes you like both?
to me, the procedures are incredibly different.

True, the more common question is ophtho vs ENT. Ortho and ophtho do not have much overlap.

 

[victorkomd]

I think many people are attracted to both these specialties. The best advice I was ever given about what specialty to choose is imagine yourself in a room the rest of your life with a certain specialist. Which specialist would you enjoy the most time discussing interesting cases?

Ophthalmology is inherently more microscopic surgeries (microscope, tweezers, delicate) while orthopedics is more macroscopic (drills, saws, cutting rods). I would recommend spending 2 weeks in a private practice office following one attending of each these specialties and see which field you enjoy more.

 

[arabian_ eagle]

First i would like to thank u all for the response.

i think i ll do what victorkomd told me to do, i think its the best way to choose


i wish for u all the best

 

[IEye]

You can make more money in Orthopedics. Orthopods tend to have better work ethic and work harder than Ophthalmologists. However, sometimes they don't care about medical management very much and forget details. Ophthalmologists tend to be more detail oriented but they sometimes try to evade work, particularly residents. They'll just do the minimum and have the patient come again to see another resident. Nobody's perfect.

 

[Mirror Form]

Ophthalmologists tend to be more detail oriented but they sometimes try to evade work, particularly residents. They'll just do the minimum and have the patient come again to see another resident.

That's no more true of ophthalmology then it is for ortho and every other specialty.

 

[Mirror Form]

I think many people are attracted to both these specialties.

Definitely. Both fields have cool toys and the patients tend to be more treatable then in other types of surgery. Also, both include a good mixture of clinic plus surgery. And then there is the fact that orthopods and ophthalmologists both tend to appear more happy with their work then other types of surgeons do (at least in my experience).

The two fields have different lifestyles and average incomes, so you have to decide if those aspects are priorities. You should also ask yourself if you prefer the longer major procedures, of if you prefer faster smaller procedures.

 

[brats800]

The two fields have different lifestyles and average incomes, so you have to decide if those aspects are priorities. You should also ask yourself if you prefer the longer major procedures, of if you prefer faster smaller procedures.

From what I have read in the threads, would you say that, in general, ophtho has 1) better lifestyle, 2) lower income, and 3) "faster smaller procedures" (as you phrased it)? Thanks. Just trying to understand all my options.

 

[GuP]

From what I have read in the threads, would you say that, in general, ophtho has 1) better lifestyle, 2) lower income, and 3) "faster smaller procedures" (as you phrased it)? Thanks. Just trying to understand all my options.

yes (in general), yes (mostly), yes

the lifestyle again depends on the person. you can be a orthopod and work less hours or you can be in ophtho and work your butt off.

the income agin correlates with the amount of time you work. logic dictates that the more you work (in either fields), the more you make. however, i am guessing that if ortho and ophtho work the same hours, the ortho will make more.

most bread and butter procedures of ophtho are indeed shorter than the ortho ones.