Path: The secret lifestyle speciality?

[The Knife & Gun Club]

So a friend of mine said this to me recently, and I want the SDN opinion. He claims path is secretly one of the better lifestyle specialities for the average applicant.

He says that as a USMD, with a step score above 220ish, chances of matching a high caliber path residency are fairly good (big fish in a small, IMG filled pond). On top of that path residency is pretty reasonable. When you get out you can expect to make around $250k working 9-5 and taking virtually no call. Plus you don't have to deal with crappy patients all day, useless you want to do procedures (biopsies) which are kind of fun anyway.

What are people's opinions on this? I know virtually nothing about path, and have no idea if this is at all accurate.

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[Jabbed]

So a friend of mine said this to me recently, and I want the SDN opinion. He claims path is secretly one of the better lifestyle specialities for the average applicant.

He says that as a USMD, with a step score above 220ish, chances of matching a high caliber path residency are fairly good (big fish in a small, IMG filled pond). On top of that path residency is pretty reasonable. When you get out you can expect to make around $250k working 9-5 and taking virtually no call. Plus you don't have to deal with crappy patients all day, useless you want to do procedures (biopsies) which are kind of fun anyway.

What are people's opinions on this? I know virtually nothing about path, and have no idea if this is at all accurate.

The pathology job market is heavily, heavily saturated. Expect to do 1-2 fellowships and then wait around a few more years for your friendly neighborhood 98 year old pathologist to die before you find a job.

 

[postbacpremed87]

Pathology is an absolutely amazing specialty. It competes with Derm for best lifestyle inside and outside of residency. No intern year. No patients or social work issues. High learning to service ratio. The job market is just way too risky though. You can go to a top program and still be unemployed or underemployed. If conditions were better, then I would totally be doing it.

 

[jd989898]

I was under the impression that the path job market was decent. Are there any residencies that aren't really difficult to match into that still have a good job market?

 

[mimelim]

I'll try to be as neutral as possible.

Pathology is different than most specialties. Your day job is going to be very different than the majority of physicians. Thus, it attracts different kinds of applicants that value different things.

Work-life balance is important. But, in my opinion, that should NOT be a reason to go into pathology. It is too sufficiently different than everything else out there, that you need to have a whole bunch of other reasons to go into it, not just the lifestyle.

 

[pacman2018]

I was under the impression that the path job market was decent. Are there any residencies that aren't really difficult to match into that still have a good job market?

Psych

 

[Taddy Mason]

Psych

And those that pursue psych for those reasons tend to be terrible psychiatrists.

 

[postbacpremed87]

And those that pursue psych for those reasons tend to be terrible psychiatrists.

Wrong. If they provide competent, sound patient care all while kind of enjoying the topic but really enjoying the flexibility it provides, then they will do just fine. We don't all have to be 100% passionate to the same degree. Enjoy yourself doing consults at midnight. I'd rather be in bed.

 

[mimelim]

And those that pursue psych for those reasons tend to be terrible psychiatrists.

I'm sure the same can be said for any specialty.

 

[Mad Jack]

So a friend of mine said this to me recently, and I want the SDN opinion. He claims path is secretly one of the better lifestyle specialities for the average applicant.

He says that as a USMD, with a step score above 220ish, chances of matching a high caliber path residency are fairly good (big fish in a small, IMG filled pond). On top of that path residency is pretty reasonable. When you get out you can expect to make around $250k working 9-5 and taking virtually no call. Plus you don't have to deal with crappy patients all day, useless you want to do procedures (biopsies) which are kind of fun anyway.

What are people's opinions on this? I know virtually nothing about path, and have no idea if this is at all accurate.

It's the ultimate lifestyle specialty. You'll never work because you'll never be employed, so you'll have all the free time you could want!

 

[Mad Jack]

I was under the impression that the path job market was decent. Are there any residencies that aren't really difficult to match into that still have a good job market?

Family med, IM, psych.

 

[Taddy Mason]

Wrong. If they provide competent, sound patient care all while kind of enjoying the topic but really enjoying the flexibility it provides, then they will do just fine.

Those attributes combined are a rarity. I worked in psych for 6 years prior to med school, as did my spouse. Those that went into psych because they truly enjoyed it, and those that went into psych for other motives (lifestyle, pay - yes psych can be reimbursed very well, board scores, etc.) can easily be distinguished. I found the same vibe during my 3rd year clerkship in a completely different environment. In my experience, the resentful ones working after hours tended to be the ones who relied on psych as a fallback, or are more concerned about money than their patients. The priorites of overtly lifestyle oriented ones tend to be out of sync with the needs of their patients and their community.

I'm sure the same can be said for any specialty.

100% agree.

 

[NotYou20]

I don't think path having a nice lifestyle is a secret. It's just not what most people want to do

 

[bashwell]

You should ask this over on the path forum.

From what I've seen, path residency is not necessarily chill. For a start, you are likely reading and studying tons outside of your residency work hours. If you're not the bookish type then you might not enjoy all this.

Consider radiology. You have to make it through intern year, and there are some bad calls in residency, lots of studying too, but otherwise it can be lifestyle friendly as an attending if you only want $250k. Plus better job market.

 

[PrettyLadyDoc24]

So a friend of mine said this to me recently, and I want the SDN opinion. He claims path is secretly one of the better lifestyle specialities for the average applicant.

He says that as a USMD, with a step score above 220ish, chances of matching a high caliber path residency are fairly good (big fish in a small, IMG filled pond). On top of that path residency is pretty reasonable. When you get out you can expect to make around $250k working 9-5 and taking virtually no call. Plus you don't have to deal with crappy patients all day, useless you want to do procedures (biopsies) which are kind of fun anyway.

What are people's opinions on this? I know virtually nothing about path, and have no idea if this is at all accurate.

Pathology resident here! I completely agree that the lifestyle after residency is really great. I have attendings that roll in around 11am and may even leave before 5pm, but the younger ones tend to burn the midnight oil on tougher cases.

As a USMD I also agree that Step scores matter, and above a 220 is key. You must pass Step 2 CS on the first try - this is a common misconception about Pathology residency that your patient communication skills don't matter...they absolutely do!

The ability to match into a "top" program is also somewhat of a misconception, but you're not too far off. Pathology programs are smaller in number and because of volume and variety preferences, they are typically centered around academic institutions. That being said, I do believe that residencies are a buyer's market and you're likely to match into a top program just based on volume of applicants.

I agree that not all residencies are chill, but this varies on rotations. In relation to other specialties, we are in the hospital less. On Surgical Pathology rotations (heavy), we can work up to about 15 hours. On clinical pathology rotations, the physical hours in the hospital are much less, leaving you plenty of time to study on your own. The boards have a killer amount of material and so studying hard during outside hours is highly encouraged.

As for salary, again it varies by area of the country and academic vs. private practice. Average starting academic salary is $150K and private practice is $200K. Select subspecialties (Dermpath, GI Path) start at closer to $250-300K.

I love what I do but I attest that it's not for everyone. Residents in my program have left for clinical medicine because they missed the interaction. On the other hand, I can't imagine dealing with patients, writing notes, performing surgery on patients, etc. It has to be a good fit. If you're curious, do a Path rotation! Most academic pathologists and residents love to teach and we'd be happy to show off what we can do.

Good luck!

 

[2018Duke]

Pathology resident here! I completely agree that the lifestyle after residency is really great. I have attendings that roll in around 11am and may even leave before 5pm, but the younger ones tend to burn the midnight oil on tougher cases.

As a USMD I also agree that Step scores matter, and above a 220 is key. You must pass Step 2 CS on the first try - this is a common misconception about Pathology residency that your patient communication skills don't matter...they absolutely do!

The ability to match into a "top" program is also somewhat of a misconception, but you're not too far off. Pathology programs are smaller in number and because of volume and variety preferences, they are typically centered around academic institutions. That being said, I do believe that residencies are a buyer's market and you're likely to match into a top program just based on volume of applicants.

I agree that not all residencies are chill, but this varies on rotations. In relation to other specialties, we are in the hospital less. On Surgical Pathology rotations (heavy), we can work up to about 15 hours. On clinical pathology rotations, the physical hours in the hospital are much less, leaving you plenty of time to study on your own. The boards have a killer amount of material and so studying hard during outside hours is highly encouraged.

As for salary, again it varies by area of the country and academic vs. private practice. Average starting academic salary is $150K and private practice is $200K. Select subspecialties (Dermpath, GI Path) start at closer to $250-300K.

I love what I do but I attest that it's not for everyone. Residents in my program have left for clinical medicine because they missed the interaction. On the other hand, I can't imagine dealing with patients, writing notes, performing surgery on patients, etc. It has to be a good fit. If you're curious, do a Path rotation! Most academic pathologists and residents love to teach and we'd be happy to show off what we can do.

Good luck!

Any worries about the job market?

 

[neoevolution]

In this case, would a lower-tier rads program be a better career move than an upper-tier path program? Assuming the applicant is somewhere in that middle range, is Rads a safer bet job market wise? How realistic are the AI concerns for rads also? I remember seeing a study where machine-learning was able to match 12 dermatologists in accuracy in identifying skin cancers

 

[Giovanotto]

As a DO interested in pathology, but also in eventually practicing abroad, is pathology a specialty that "translates" better overseas?

 

[bashwell]

As a DO interested in pathology, but also in eventually practicing abroad, is pathology a specialty that "translates" better overseas?

I think it depends where you mean when you say overseas. I can tell you about Australia because I'm in Australia. Things are quickly getting crowded for pathology (as well as other specialties) here. But an Aussie attending pathologist (who is a staff specialist) told me pathologists get around $300k-$400k for roughly 40 hours of work per week. Private practice pays more but then the pace is apparently a lot faster. I'm not in pathology though, but I know several people who are.

 

[Giovanotto]

I think it depends where you mean when you say overseas. I can tell you about Australia because I'm in Australia. Things are quickly getting crowded for pathology (as well as other specialties) here. But an Aussie attending pathologist (who is a staff specialist) told me pathologists get around $300k-$400k for roughly 40 hours of work per week. Private practice pays more but then the pace is apparently a lot faster. I'm not in pathology though, but I know several people who are.

Thank you for your insight, really appreciate it. But I was thinking places like Europe, that don't fully recognize DO's yet. I'd imagine one would have a better chance as a pathologist than as a FP?

 

[bashwell]

Thank you for your insight, really appreciate it. But I was thinking places like Europe, that don't fully recognize DO's yet. I'd imagine one would have a better chance as a pathologist than as a FP?

That's a good question, but sorry I dont' know much about Europe. And I don't know much about how DO recognition works, but I think in Australia DOs are recognised or so I once heard?

I have also heard (just hearsay so it could be false) that it's possible to get a job as a pathologist in the UK. Actually I've heard a lot of doctor jobs in the UK are open (outside of London and a few other popular cities). However doctors from the UK and Ireland who are in Australia tell me the NHS (and its equivalents) is a sinking ship, junior doctors are paid poorly, work long hours, etc. Some UK physicians have even told me they fear the NHS is en route to privatisation.

But please keep in mind all this is hearsay and rumours since I'm only hearing about it through all the people from the UK and Ireland who (almost all happily) left the UK for Australia and so they could all be biased.

 

[darknecrosforte]

The saturated market with the high % of FMG and IMG does not benefit when people attempt to make Path seem like a pauper's Derm. It is probably the weirdest/most distinct specialty and thus naturally attracts different students. In my obscenely large class of 230, there are probably only 2 students that rate pathology as #1 or 2. Maybe "hours worked" or flexibility of schedule looks cushy on paper, but there are so many reasons people would not want to touch path with a 10-foot pole. A lot of it is what a decent pathology specialist must do in that "copious free time" to be useful in the midst of technological advancements.

 

[smartparts]

So a friend of mine said this to me recently, and I want the SDN opinion. He claims path is secretly one of the better lifestyle specialities for the average applicant.

He says that as a USMD, with a step score above 220ish, chances of matching a high caliber path residency are fairly good (big fish in a small, IMG filled pond). On top of that path residency is pretty reasonable. When you get out you can expect to make around $250k working 9-5 and taking virtually no call. Plus you don't have to deal with crappy patients all day, useless you want to do procedures (biopsies) which are kind of fun anyway.

What are people's opinions on this? I know virtually nothing about path, and have no idea if this is at all accurate.

The secret lifestyle specialty is PM&R.
/thread

 

[PrettyLadyDoc24]

Any worries about the job market?

Naturally, but my predecessors in my subspecialty have found excellent jobs. Making connections is key!

 

[The Knife & Gun Club]

The secret lifestyle specialty is PM&R.
/thread

I have heard PMR pay is horrendous(190k avg), but could be wrong.

I don't have loans so don't mind passing up the big bucks like derm or ortho, but would like to able to live comfortably and not have to worry about financing my kids education, care for a sick parent, etc.

 

[muhali3]

Having no job is a pretty good lifestyle.

jokes aside, i think it is known that it is a good lifestyle, but just like psych and pm&r, people are averse to it because it's a bit too different from other specialties and not very "mainstream".

 

[postbacpremed87]

If the job market were better, then a lot of top people would go into it. I know a lot of 240-250 Step 1 people who mentioned this. Being unemployed is a big deterent.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

If the job market were better, then a lot of top people would go into it. I know a lot of 240-250 Step 1 people who mentioned this. Being unemployed is a big deterent.

Indeed. One smart student in my class (240's on step1, tons of research, a lot of involvement in medical politics) is "gunning" for path.

I think if you truly love a field, you should pursue it. I have yet to see a jobless pathologist despite the job market being tight for a couple decades already.

 

[postbacpremed87]

Indeed. One smart student in my class (240's on step1, tons of research, a lot of involvement in medical politics) is "gunning" for path.

I think if you truly love a field, you should pursue it. I have yet to see a jobless pathologist despite the job market being tight for a couple decades already.

Path is the most intellectually stimulating field in my opinion (Rads close 2nd) and you don't have to deal with intern year, soap notes, presentations. That version of Medical Specialty heaven would end once you're in your PGY-4 year or fellowship year and you're cold calling firms just for one job. What if your residency program had no contacts for you? Scary situation to go through 5 years or 6 of post graduate training to be relegated to teaching histo/anatomy to medical students for 70k

 

[tco]

The lifestyle in Pathology is great after residency.

You get to sit at home all day.

Some people call it unemployed, but I call it relaxing.

 

[tco]

Indeed. One smart student in my class (240's on step1, tons of research, a lot of involvement in medical politics) is "gunning" for path.

I think if you truly love a field, you should pursue it. I have yet to see a jobless pathologist despite the job market being tight for a couple decades already.

I know plenty of Pathologists who are doing their 2nd and 3rd fellowships because they can't find a job they want.

It's not like they're super-picky either. They just don't want to work in the middle of nowhere.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

Path is the most intellectually stimulating field in my opinion (Rads close 2nd) and you don't have to deal with intern year, soap notes, presentations. That version of Medical Specialty heaven would end once you're in your PGY-4 year or fellowship year and you're cold calling firms just for one job. What if your residency program had no contacts for you? Scary situation to go through 5 years or 6 of post graduate training to be relegated to teaching histo/anatomy to medical students for 70k

I think they make much more than that. The professors at a nearby community college make 100k+.

I mean, I wasn't saying that it'll be an easy path, but you won't be jobless. It may require you to do couple fellowships, relocate, accept low salary, etc... but the idea that one will be homeless after finishing pathology residency is ridiculous.

An alternative is doing forensic pathology. I hear they are in great demand.

 

[darknecrosforte]

I think they make much more than that. The professors at a nearby community college make 100k+.

I mean, I wasn't saying that it'll be an easy path, but you won't be jobless. It may require you to do couple fellowships, relocate, accept low salary, etc... but the idea that one will be homeless after finishing pathology residency is ridiculous.

An alternative is doing forensic pathology. I hear they are in great demand.

I have read that the demand for autopsies and investigations could be met if each forensic pathologist (FP) would do 300 autopsies per year, but the average actually done is around 100 for whatever reason. Apparently, it could take only an hour to perform one.

There are only around 48 programs in the USA (Texas has the most afaik) and there are a lot of unique challenges/opportunities in the field that rule out the majority of medical students from being interested or even knowing about FP. One is the typically high involvement with the legal system and criminality. The other is being sort of a freelancer working for relatively wealthy people as they investigate inheritances and other seemingly random reasons. A lot of potential for travel.

It appears that it's normal to "apply" for the FP fellowships ~2 years in advance because of the scarcity of training locations, but yeah... I think that path generally has enough forces to attract people who really like pathology and repel others who "go into it for the wrong reasons". I see it as a field for either nomadic nerds, tech entrepreneurs, or people dead-set on academics (for which there are much better options out there). It's also very, very hard to tell if some people doing multiple fellowships are doing that many due to low job prospects or if they actually really like studying/learning and the somewhat low supply of certain fellowships gives seeking the fellowship more primacy compared to securing the job. Another factor is that pathology residencies aren't as good at making the average new resident really useful to hospitals or institutions. Just another thing to consider.

http://pathologyoutlines.com/Fellowships/
http://pathinfo.wikia.com/wiki/Forensic_Pathology_Fellowship_Directory

The CAP website is weird -_-
http://www.cap.org/web/home?_afrLoo...=484256298564316&_adf.ctrl-state=yglp0m588_17

 

[Taddy Mason]

An alternative is doing forensic pathology. I hear they are in great demand.

There's a huge demand, but it's due largely to the poor pay and politics/bureaucracy.

This is a really good episode of Frontline that addresses some of the issues - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/post-mortem/

 

[PrettyLadyDoc24]

I have read that the demand for autopsies and investigations could be met if each forensic pathologist (FP) would do 300 autopsies per year, but the average actually done is around 100 for whatever reason. Apparently, it could take only an hour to perform one.

There are only around 48 programs in the USA (Texas has the most afaik) and there are a lot of unique challenges/opportunities in the field that rule out the majority of medical students from being interested or even knowing about FP. One is the typically high involvement with the legal system and criminality. The other is being sort of a freelancer working for relatively wealthy people as they investigate inheritances and other seemingly random reasons. A lot of potential for travel.

It appears that it's normal to "apply" for the FP fellowships ~2 years in advance because of the scarcity of training locations, but yeah... I think that path generally has enough forces to attract people who really like pathology and repel others who "go into it for the wrong reasons". I see it as a field for either nomadic nerds, tech entrepreneurs, or people dead-set on academics (for which there are much better options out there). It's also very, very hard to tell if some people doing multiple fellowships are doing that many due to low job prospects or if they actually really like studying/learning and the somewhat low supply of certain fellowships gives seeking the fellowship more primacy compared to securing the job. Another factor is that pathology residencies aren't as good at making the average new resident really useful to hospitals or institutions. Just another thing to consider.

http://pathologyoutlines.com/Fellowships/
http://pathinfo.wikia.com/wiki/Forensic_Pathology_Fellowship_Directory

The CAP website is weird -_-
http://www.cap.org/web/home?_afrLoop=484256298564316#!@@?_afrLoop=484256298564316&_adf.ctrl-state=yglp0m588_17

I know at least in my state the number of autopsies performed is lower than 300, but it has to do with the non-clinical work that goes along with forensic investigation, such as paperwork, court appearances, meeting with lawyers, etc.

I would endorse that forensic pathology is an awesome career and among our applicants to the residency program this year, it was a popular interest!

 

[SouthernGent]

There is a large shortage of FPs. One of the my office's FPs gets called about once a month by another office somewhere in the US trying to poach them. The biggest complaint I have heard from the pathologists within our office has been dealing with the paperwork and legal side. Cases that involve multiple GSWs (>6) or a variety of trauma tend to be a real time suck, and our city (Like many other metropolitan areas) is real good at keeping us busy. Most offices in the region are trying to only do autopsies on homicides or instances where there are charges pending, and relying on investigators to filter out as many naturals and overdoses as possible. The spike in fatal overdoses has cause a very large uptick in work load, and many offices are starting to avert from autopsying them to save resources.

 

[Affiche]

Pathology resident here! I completely agree that the lifestyle after residency is really great. I have attendings that roll in around 11am and may even leave before 5pm, but the younger ones tend to burn the midnight oil on tougher cases.

As a USMD I also agree that Step scores matter, and above a 220 is key. You must pass Step 2 CS on the first try - this is a common misconception about Pathology residency that your patient communication skills don't matter...they absolutely do!

The ability to match into a "top" program is also somewhat of a misconception, but you're not too far off. Pathology programs are smaller in number and because of volume and variety preferences, they are typically centered around academic institutions. That being said, I do believe that residencies are a buyer's market and you're likely to match into a top program just based on volume of applicants.

I agree that not all residencies are chill, but this varies on rotations. In relation to other specialties, we are in the hospital less. On Surgical Pathology rotations (heavy), we can work up to about 15 hours. On clinical pathology rotations, the physical hours in the hospital are much less, leaving you plenty of time to study on your own. The boards have a killer amount of material and so studying hard during outside hours is highly encouraged.

As for salary, again it varies by area of the country and academic vs. private practice. Average starting academic salary is $150K and private practice is $200K. Select subspecialties (Dermpath, GI Path) start at closer to $250-300K.

I love what I do but I attest that it's not for everyone. Residents in my program have left for clinical medicine because they missed the interaction. On the other hand, I can't imagine dealing with patients, writing notes, performing surgery on patients, etc. It has to be a good fit. If you're curious, do a Path rotation! Most academic pathologists and residents love to teach and we'd be happy to show off what we can do.

Good luck!

Did you actually like histology? I can't believe that anyone truly enjoys this.

 

[Taddy Mason]

Did you actually like histology? I can't believe that anyone truly enjoys this.

Histo and histo path were probably two of my favorite subjects 1st and 2nd year.

 

[postbacpremed87]

Did any of you know about the job market problems, pursue Pathology anyways, and then regret making that decision because you're having a tough time finding a job after fellowship?

 

[PrettyLadyDoc24]

Did you actually like histology? I can't believe that anyone truly enjoys this.

I hate to disappoint, but there is a certain beauty in human tissues that goes largely unappreciated. Histology and pathology, while separate medical school subjects, go virtually hand in hand under the scope, and you can't know one without the other.

 

[Tenk]

Worked in a path lab before med school. Your job consists of 99% of looking into a microscope (a lot of them have assistants who do the grossing). If you enjoy looking into a microscope and matching patterns of histo slides, this is your dream job. If you do not enjoy this, you will probably hate it.

 

[Crayola227]

Family med, IM, psych.

silly, he asked which had good lifestyles too!

we all know we want to avoid the primary care fields with a 10 ft pole
or we might have to see broad swaths of the typical population while they are awake, for all their most mundane problems
hmm, tellingly, SDN does not have a "shoots self in head with gun" emoji

 

[Crayola227]

ditto path and histo rock!

I hear that reading slides at the speed you gotta read is more stressful than people think, and it's a skill you either have or you don't have
it's really easy to **** up and miss stuff
#rumors

 

[smartparts]

I have heard PMR pay is horrendous(190k avg), but could be wrong.

I don't have loans so don't mind passing up the big bucks like derm or ortho, but would like to able to live comfortably and not have to worry about financing my kids education, care for a sick parent, etc.

According to MGMA 2010 PMR $278k mean which is more than psych, IM, FM, and neuro. Path might pay more but I've never met a boring PM&R doc 😎

 

[BeddingfieldMD]

So a friend of mine said this to me recently, and I want the SDN opinion. He claims path is secretly one of the better lifestyle specialities for the average applicant.

He says that as a USMD, with a step score above 220ish, chances of matching a high caliber path residency are fairly good (big fish in a small, IMG filled pond). On top of that path residency is pretty reasonable. When you get out you can expect to make around $250k working 9-5 and taking virtually no call. Plus you don't have to deal with crappy patients all day, useless you want to do procedures (biopsies) which are kind of fun anyway.

What are people's opinions on this? I know virtually nothing about path, and have no idea if this is at all accurate.

I'm not a pathologist, but there's probably some truth to this. I wouldn't say it was much of a "secret" in my med school, though. Other specialties that aren't as competitive as the usual suspects (derm, ENT, ophtho, etc.) but also have relatively good lifestyles are psychiatry, PM&R, and occupational medicine.

In short, any specialty that is largely hospital-based (radiology, anesthesia, pathology, emergency medicine, hospitalism) is going to offer some benefits in terms of lifestyle. With some of these (anesthesia, EM), you might still have call...but when you leave the hospital, you're 100% done. With many specialties, so long as you have inpatients admitted to the hospital under your name, there's at least a betting chance you're going to get phone calls about them while you're eating dinner at home.

The other batch of specialties that tend to offer some lifestyle benefits are those that have relatively few emergencies, including PM&R, psychiatry, urology, occupational medicine, palliative care, sleep medicine, ophthalmology, etc. Not saying these have NO emergencies--but there are far fewer testicular torsion cases than appendectomies and bowel obstructions. And definitely far fewer "stat" sleep studies for sleep apnea evaluation.

As other posters have mentioned, I would investigate the pathology job market in the area where you want to end up working. I did a blood bank rotation (my only path rotation) my final year of med school. And I know some of the graduating pathology residents were complaining about how tight the market for pathologists was at that time in the Twin Cities. But those things are definitely cyclical and may be totally different by the time you're done. So take it with a grain of salt.

 

[postbacpremed87]

I'm not a pathologist, but there's probably some truth to this. I wouldn't say it was much of a "secret" in my med school, though. Other specialties that aren't as competitive as the usual suspects (derm, ENT, ophtho, etc.) but also have relatively good lifestyles are psychiatry, PM&R, and occupational medicine.

In short, any specialty that is largely hospital-based (radiology, anesthesia, pathology, emergency medicine, hospitalism) is going to offer some benefits in terms of lifestyle. With some of these (anesthesia, EM), you might still have call...but when you leave the hospital, you're 100% done. With many specialties, so long as you have inpatients admitted to the hospital under your name, there's at least a betting chance you're going to get phone calls about them while you're eating dinner at home.

The other batch of specialties that tend to offer some lifestyle benefits are those that have relatively few emergencies, including PM&R, psychiatry, urology, occupational medicine, palliative care, sleep medicine, ophthalmology, etc. Not saying these have NO emergencies--but there are far fewer testicular torsion cases than appendectomies and bowel obstructions. And definitely far fewer "stat" sleep studies for sleep apnea evaluation.

As other posters have mentioned, I would investigate the pathology job market in the area where you want to end up working. I did a blood bank rotation (my only path rotation) my final year of med school. And I know some of the graduating pathology residents were complaining about how tight the market for pathologists was at that time in the Twin Cities. But those things are definitely cyclical and may be totally different by the time you're done. So take it with a grain of salt.

The market is tight everywhere.

 

[BeddingfieldMD]

The market is tight everywhere.

Interesting. Why do you think that is? Too many residents being produced, of course. But has that number increased in recent decades--or has the demand for pathologists decreased?

Seems like most path programs don't have that many residents, and it seems like one of the few fields with virtually no mid-level competition. But I could be wrong.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[postbacpremed87]

Interesting. Why do you think that is? Too many residents being produced, of course. But has that number increased in recent decades--or has the demand for pathologists decreased?

Seems like most path programs don't have that many residents, and it seems like one of the few fields with virtually no mid-level competition. But I could be wrong.

Too many residents and consolidation. More work for fewer Pathologists. It is a great field but the lack of jobs turned me off.

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[y123]

Based on what I read (on random forums and websites), the job market for path has been "tight" for at least 20 years.