I am a psychiatrist who has always been fascinated by the history and intellectual challenges of Pathology, and I have always thought that there is some similarity in the detective-like thought-processes that go "into the mix" in both specialties. Also, I've always liked the designation of "the doctors' doctor" that Paths have historically been known for. Sometimes, in Psych, especially in Consult-Liaison, you also get at times that "feeling" of helping other doctors to navigate through some cases!
Plus, in Pathology, not everyone ends up staring into a microscope all day! You can just read the Path threads in this forum to see how diverse are the responsibilities in the various rotations that Path residents go through. OTOH, when it comes to real day-to-day practice, and especially regarding the human-interaction factor (especially interaction with patients and their families)...those specialties are as "different" as you can get! In Psych, one interacts day-in-day out with people all day long...with patients, with other members of the tx. team, with families, etc., while in Path...the most interaction one gets, I assume, is probably with the other Path-setting colleagues or mid-levels and that's about it! (Some Paths do interact with other colleagues from other specialties, especially in a hospital setting, but I guess...to a much lesser extent than Psychs do.)
Some days...I do get tired myself of THAT much "people interaction", and I daydream about having the oppt. to have a quiet moment with my books and with microscopes...fantasy stuff like that! That's why I also tend to lurk around for relaxation on the Paths forums!
And...definitely...NO...it's NOT about the money "differential". Actually, in real life, I think I know some Psychs who do realistically earn in the 200K range, and some Paths (esp. in academic settings) who are earning "only" in the 150K range. But life-long medicine and choosing a specialty is NEVER about the money. I see that every single day in my day to day interaction with other colleagues actually, younger and older. Everyone "worries" about paying off loans, and/or putting their kids through college and paying their mortgages, regardless of specialty! It's about the "worry" more than about the "specialty"!
