Specialties

[darkmatter]

Is there any upcoming medical student undecided about what kind of doctor they want to become? When do medical students actually get the firmest decision about what they want to specialize in? I love the fact that there are many options, but is medical school designed to bring undecided students to the specialty in which they would be most happy?

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[Whisker Barrel Cortex]

It is pretty different for different people. A few know before they even start what they want to do. The vast majority make the decision anywhere from mid-third year to November of 4th year (when residency apps are due). Some apply to more than one specialty because they're not sure. I decided after my radiology rotation (after already doing medicine, surgery, peds, psych, anesthesia) in March of my junior year.

 

[AJM]

I "knew" before I started med school that I wanted to go into neurology. Then, my 1st year I "knew" I was going into surgery. It wasn't until the last couple of months of my 3rd year that I realized that I was best suited for internal medicine subspecialization.

The point is that you don't have to know what you are going to specialize in before you start med school. How are you supposed to know whether a specialty is right for you before you ever see what clinical medicine is really like? Everyone is different, and everyone figures out their calling at their own speed. The great thing about the 3rd year of med school is that you get to try out so many different specialties. I think that is when most people end up deciding, although I know people who couldn't decide until halfway through their 4th year.

You will figure out which specialty you will be happiest in. And, if you realize later that you made the wrong choice, you can always switch.

 

[squeek]

Even "decided" students change their minds--frequently! I "always knew" I wanted to be a surgeon...but after two years of medical school I'm leaning towards geriatrics, of all things. Of course, this could change during my third year, but we'll see...

 

[souljah1]

during your medicine clerkship, are you provided with ample exposure to endocrinology and cardiology? or should one take a cardiology and/or endocrinology elective at the beginning of their 4th year? I know that to pursue those two specialties, one goes through an Internal Med residency and then onto a fellowship in their chosen 'sub-specialty'. just wondering how much exposure to those two sub-specialties you'll get on your internal med clerkship.?. thanks.

 

[sairules]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Whisker Barrel Cortex:
•It is pretty different for different people. A few know before they even start what they want to do. The vast majority make the decision anywhere from mid-third year to November of 4th year (when residency apps are due). Some apply to more than one specialty because they're not sure. I decided after my radiology rotation (after already doing medicine, surgery, peds, psych, anesthesia) in March of my junior year.•••••Hey Whisker -- how long is residency for becoming a Diagnostic Radiologist? (How many years)?

 

[Whisker Barrel Cortex]

Here's a couple answers:

Souljah: You see a little bit of basic endocrine (usually diabetics) in your 3rd year general internal medicine rotation and you may get some cardiology depending on the location (our school cards admits their own patients). What you can do to get exposure is do these rotations early in your 4th year (July, August) as you said. This way you can see what these subspecialties are like.

Sairules: Diagnostic radiology is 1 year of internship in clinical medicine followed by 4 years of radiology training for a total of 5 years. About 60% of residents end up doing a 1 year fellowship in neuroradiology, musculoskeletal, body imaging, pediatric radiology, or interventional. You can find a job without fellowship but if you want an academic position or to be in a desirable location, fellowship will help.