Really appreciate how much thought you’ve put into this. It’s rare to see someone lay it all out so clearly—and that alone says a lot about how seriously you’re taking the decision.
From what you wrote, ortho clearly resonates with a deep part of you—there’s a kind of muscle memory of identity in how you talk about tools, procedures, and the flow of the OR. That kind of alignment is hard to manufacture. It’s real. And honestly, it’s rare.
But I also hear how much weight you’re giving to lifestyle, location, and long-term sustainability—especially with family as a priority. That’s not a small tension. It’s a legitimate crossroads, and I want to offer a subtle reframe: You’re not choosing between “surgical passion” and “radiology safety.” You’re choosing between two versions of you—one that thrives in tactile immediacy, and one that’s building a life around time, presence, and strategic mental engagement.
This exact question came up in an interview I did last month! That conversation was part of a recurring interview series I host for a pilot program I run with med students — designed specifically to address what I see as one of the biggest flaws in med school training: that we expect students to make life-altering specialty decisions in M3 with limited exposure and almost no unfiltered access to practicing attendings. These interviews give students the space to hear raw, honest reflections from physicians after they’ve gone through the full training arc. The kind of stuff you’ll never get in a lunch talk or a panel Q&A.
I had a truly no holds-barred, raw, and deeply personal discussion with “Dr.M”, a diagnostic and neuroradiologist who was seriously considering ortho before pivoting to rads. What ultimately helped him decide wasn’t just comparing procedures or training paths — it was stepping back and asking:
“What kind of life do I want this career to create?”
What stood out most from Dr. M was how his decision came down to alignment: choosing a future that gave him more time flexibility, less physical strain, and the ability to stay engaged intellectually while still being present for the rest of his life outside medicine.
So I’d ask: What version of success do you want at 35? Not the Instagrammed version, but the day-to-day. And which specialty brings you closer to that life on repeat, not just on vacation?
And one last thing — don’t ignore that “not sure I’ll love rads” line. That’s not fluff. That’s your gut talking. Sometimes it’s fear… but sometimes it’s your future self trying to warn you. Keep listening.
You’re already asking the right questions. Just keep going deeper — and keep putting yourself in rooms (literal or virtual) where you can talk to attendings who’ve stood at the same fork in the road.
Wishing you clarity — and alignment.
