Specialty opinion

[bond80009]

I am medical student deciding a specialty.
This question is for current doctors. If you could go back in time and pick any specialty, which would you pick and why?
Thanks for your opinion

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[armybound]

What year are you? What are you leaning toward? What rotations did you like and why?

The only other field I'd really consider at this point in radiology, because lifestyle matters.

 

[j4pac]

At least know what residencies exist. For instance...PM&R, a specialty that I didn't know existed going into my third year of medical school...and now I'm doing it in residency. Just educate yourself what's out there. You learn pretty quickly what interests you, what you hate, and what type of lifestyle you are looking for.

 

[Ismet]

Moving to Allopathic forum. This is not a General Residency issue.

 

[masaraksh]

What year are you? What are you leaning toward? What rotations did you like and why?

The only other field I'd really consider at this point in radiology, because lifestyle matters.

what field are you in?!

 

[Redpancreas]

I am medical student deciding a specialty.
This question is for current doctors. If you could go back in time and pick any specialty, which would you pick and why?
Thanks for your opinion

OP it'd be much easier if you gave us information about yourself and what your performance or where you are in training has been so far and what you like thus far.


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[bashwell]

what field are you in?!

I'd say urology.

 

[bond80009]

OP here - I am a 3rd year student. I like radiology, anesthesiology, and neurology. I don't like referring patients and would prefer to be a specialist of some sort. I don't mind working long hours.

 

[masaraksh]

OP here - I am a 3rd year student. I like radiology, anesthesiology, and neurology. I don't like referring patients and would prefer to be a specialist of some sort. I don't mind working long hours.

Do neurosurg

 

[cowme]

Radiology

Source: am radiologist

 

[SurfingDoctor]

Same thing I'm doing know. Your career path is your choice... FYI.

 

[bond80009]

Bumping because nobody answered my question : Now that you've been a physician, If you could go back in time and pick any specialty, which would you pick and why?

 

[Say]

Pretty sure the above physicians said they would do the same thing they are doing now or something more lifestyle oriented

 

[neusu]

I'd still do neurosurgery

 

[mvenus929]

I'd still do Peds-- I went into it because I don't like treating adults. Yes, I get really sick kids from time to time, but the majority of them bounce back, and the smiles and grateful looks I get from the patients and their parents every day totally makes it worth it.

 

[username456789]

I'd still do Derm for sure.

 

[bashwell]

Personally, if I could do it again, and if I knew what I now know, I don't know if Id choose to do medicine. Almost all specialties pay well relative to most other careers, and you'll likely have a good upper middle class life if you manage your money well, but there sure are a lot of sacrifices to make along the way, to say the least. I think there are probably too many sacrifices for me, though I go back and forth a bit on this. Many others think it's still worth it though. To each their own.

 

[Decicco]

I'd still do dermatology.

 

[Gastrapathy]

Left-handed middle reliever

 

[drdoctor]

depends what you want out of life. Derm will give you time, but not the best money and you're virtually a nobody in the hospital/medical community. Radiology gives a good life, but jobs are tough to get and call can be bad unless you find the right gig. Pediatrics is nice if you love children, but pay can be bad. Neurosurgery is demanding and very well respected in the medical community and every community, money is fantastic, but call is miserable and lifestyle is not good. So......it really depends on you as a person!

 

[cowme]

Radiology job market has been fantastic this year. Almost Every fellow I know landed a job in the fall, where they wanted, and had multiple options.

Call is pretty good in radiology with most groups. It's busy and full days, sure, but there's no surprises. No nights with most groups, just some evenings. And it's predictable. I know right now what weekend I'm working in June. I don't have to wait to get paged at 3 am to see my patient, then come back to round at 7 am the next. I can do my shift, and when it's done at 5, I can go home and go to the bar because my shift is over and the night shift workers have taken over.

Oh, and if you want to be one of those night shift workers? You only work 18 weeks of the year and get the same salary as a full day partner

 

[username456789]

depends what you want out of life. Derm will give you time, but not the best money and you're virtually a nobody in the hospital/medical community.

Bolded is perhaps one of the biggest perks of derm.

You are simultaneously the envy of several/many other docs, but you get to slide under the radar as far as hospital responsibilities and can set up your practice to involve no inpatient consult work at all.

Patients appreciate the hell out of you. I doubt any of my patients know I was second in my class, AOA, blah blah blah, and it matters zero to me. My nonderm colleagues can probably infer that kind of thing.

But derm tends to attract people who are intrinsically motivated to have a well balanced life, and don't depend on other people's opinions for our well being.

 

[Merely]

Bolded is perhaps one of the biggest perks of derm.

You are simultaneously the envy of several/many other docs, but you get to slide under the radar as far as hospital responsibilities and can set up your practice to involve no inpatient consult work at all.

Patients appreciate the hell out of you. I doubt any of my patients know I was second in my class, AOA, blah blah blah, and it matters zero to me. My nonderm colleagues can probably infer that kind of thing.

But derm tends to attract people who are intrinsically motivated to have a well balanced life, and don't depend on other people's opinions for our well being.

That's an interesting take on things...lol

 

[username456789]

That's an interesting take on things...lol

It's always so strange to me why people get hung up on whether other people will ooh and ahh over whatever specialty they choose.

Do what you love, or at least what allows you to live the life you want. Don't spend time trying to force a round peg into a square hole.

 

[bashwell]

I don't agree with these sentiments 100%, but I think they are on the right track:

“Prestige is just fossilized inspiration. If you do anything well enough, you’ll make it prestigious. Plenty of things we now consider prestigious were anything but at first. Jazz comes to mind -- though almost any established art form would do. So just do what you like, and let prestige take care of itself.” -- Paul Graham

"When you’re faced with a decision between a prestigious job or a non-prestigious job, pick the one with the best culture. At the end of the day, that’s what matters because culture is what allows you to do your job. The right workplace culture frees you up to be the best you can be. Prestige is just borrowing from other people’s successes. Go make your own prestige. You’ll get there faster when the culture is right." -- Jason James

 

[PatsyStone]

depends what you want out of life. Derm will give you time, but not the best money . . .

I think you meant to say "and you'll earn some of the best money in medicine."

I agree with the other poster that one of the best things about derm is that you can have an exclusively outpatient practice. I also cannot tell you how many physicians have told me they wish they'd gone into derm. Dermatology may not be for everyone, but if one has an opportunity to match into it, they should heavily consider it.

 

[Decicco]

Derm will give you time, but not the best money and you're virtually a nobody in the hospital/medical community.

You can be as involved in the hospital as you'd like in Derm. I can name several that are chief medical officers of academic medical centers and who run giant consult services. There even is a large group of dermatologist hospitalists. The truth, however, is that most of us choose not to be in the hospital. We also want a life outside of medicine so being a "nobody in the medical community" (although false- e.g., a recent surgeon general was a derm) isn't a prime concern for those who go into this field. I also feel that our field is fairly compensated, but this means something different to everyone.

 

[SansaStarkMD]

If outpatient only is so desirable why don't more people like family medicine? Is it lack of prestige? Family guys can do plenty of procedures and make great money as well.

 

[mvenus929]

If outpatient only is so desirable why don't more people like family medicine? Is it lack of prestige? Family guys can do plenty of procedures and make great money as well.

Lots of work. Needing a wide breadth of knowledge and not really being an expert in anything...

 

[nlax30]

If outpatient only is so desirable why don't more people like family medicine? Is it lack of prestige? Family guys can do plenty of procedures and make great money as well.

Well obviously every person is going to have different interests and place a different value on various types of practices. While some folks would prefer strictly an outpatient based practice there are also those that prefer to only work in the hospital, and then those in the middle who need both types of environments. Some enjoy the wide breadth and generalist nature of primary care FP/IM while others hate it. So it's not that outpatient is so desirable but rather just depends on what you value.

I know plenty of primary care FP/IM's who are incredibly smart and love their job. Personally, I decided that I wouldn't be happy doing that sort of work but also decided that I needed a mix of outpatient clinic and hospital work.

 

[SansaStarkMD]

Makes sense.

 

[Carbocation1]

Any other high yield lifestyle specialties that offer excellent pay per hour with no office/follow-up headaches like gas and rads? I'd like to be an expert in a particular field but make money outside of medicine using my physician salary as an investment. Medicine is a sinking ship these days, and it is not worth dedicating one's life entirely to medicine, in my opinion.

 

[nlax30]

Any other high yield lifestyle specialties that offer excellent pay per hour with no office/follow-up headaches like gas and rads? I'd like to be an expert in a particular field but make money outside of medicine using my physician salary as an investment. Medicine is a sinking ship these days, and it is not worth dedicating one's life entirely to medicine, in my opinion.

Get your MBA or other "business" creds and be a hospital/healthcare admin and climb that ladder?

 

[Decicco]

Any other high yield lifestyle specialties that offer excellent pay per hour with no office/follow-up headaches like gas and rads? I'd like to be an expert in a particular field but make money outside of medicine using my physician salary as an investment. Medicine is a sinking ship these days, and it is not worth dedicating one's life entirely to medicine, in my opinion.

I can't think of any profession that I'd want to "dedicate my life to entirely." Medicine has its problems just like any profession. Also, life is much more than money.


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[bashwell]

Any other high yield lifestyle specialties that offer excellent pay per hour with no office/follow-up headaches like gas and rads? I'd like to be an expert in a particular field but make money outside of medicine using my physician salary as an investment. Medicine is a sinking ship these days, and it is not worth dedicating one's life entirely to medicine, in my opinion.

I wouldn't necessarily call anesthesia lifestyle friendly. They can often still take in house call most of their careers.

Also not so sure about their pay per hour, especially if AMCs take over, CRNAs help bring down compensation, bundled payments still happen, etc.

True no office/follow-up but having patients could be a very good thing. It can give you more leverage and security, especially if the bean counters take over. Lifestyle-wise, it might be better to have patients but all or mostly outpatients with few if any emergencies so you can take little call or call from home.

Rads can still be good from what I've seen. Derm of course. Actually you can do well in primary care if you like the work. PM&R too. Pain is still good it seems, but you have to get through residency first. Psychiatry.

 

[Decicco]

A lot of the best fields for lifestyle are under the radar: family med, pm&r, psych, allergy, geriatrics, genetics (in addition to derm and ophthal). Meanwhile many of the standard desired specialities have poor lifestyles: ortho, plastics, ENT, anesthesia, rads. My advice if you want to be happy and love your job: stay away from the hospital.

 

[theseeker4]

If outpatient only is so desirable why don't more people like family medicine? Is it lack of prestige? Family guys can do plenty of procedures and make great money as well.

I can't think of much more boring than scheduled appt after scheduled appt of well child check, DM med adjustment, Htn med adjustment, managing stable CHF, telling someone who will never quit smoking to quit smoking, etc. There is a ton of routine and drudgery in every specialty, but family medicine seems to take that to a new height.....

Not slamming the specialty, but following up the same mostly-well patient every 3 months for year after year is just not for me.

 

[OrthoTraumaMD]

i would still do ortho. so would any other orthopod you ask.

 

[SunsFun]

If outpatient only is so desirable why don't more people like family medicine? Is it lack of prestige? Family guys can do plenty of procedures and make great money as well.

Psych issues and opioids dependency...not to mention continue telling the sane adult patient about dangers of smoking, McDonalds, importance of vaccinations, etc. it was like a Groundhog Day after the first week of my Clerkship.


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[bond80009]

Is it smarter decision to pick a specialty that's hot right now vs something I like but is not hot right now (due to lowering income and less jobs- Radiology).

 

[Smurfette]

Is it smarter decision to pick a specialty that's hot right now vs something I like but is not hot right now (due to lowering income and less jobs- Radiology).

Do what you can see yourself doing for the rest of your life.

Just because something is popular or "hot" or reimburses well right now does not mean that it will be in 10-20 years. Some of the older physicians in current "desirable" or "highly competitive" fields will tell you that back when they applied, their field was not competitive and was easy to get into, and have watched their field rise in popularity through the years, while others experienced the opposite effect.

 

[drdoctor]

You can be as involved in the hospital as you'd like in Derm. I can name several that are chief medical officers of academic medical centers and who run giant consult services. There even is a large group of dermatologist hospitalists. The truth, however, is that most of us choose not to be in the hospital. We also want a life outside of medicine so being a "nobody in the medical community" (although false- e.g., a recent surgeon general was a derm) isn't a prime concern for those who go into this field. I also feel that our field is fairly compensated, but this means something different to everyone.

I agree - I was generalizing. It's a great field obviously - thats why its one of the most competitive fields to get into. Just depends on you as a person. I for example wanted to use my hands more than what a mohs surgeon. I also wanted variety and my ENT clinic is absolutely filled with it.

 

[drdoctor]

Get your MBA or other "business" creds and be a hospital/healthcare admin and climb that ladder?

hah everyone gets excited about admin/business and the so called $$. There's way more fun and $ in clinical medicine at the end of the day. And the satisfaction of seeing a happy patient trumps all.

 

[Mad Jack]

hah everyone gets excited about admin/business and the so called $$. There's way more fun and $ in clinical medicine at the end of the day. And the satisfaction of seeing a happy patient trumps all.

I don't know, for me the satisfaction of happy home life kind of trumps everything. That kind of necessitates a more flexible field, because the people around me actually want to spend time with me.

 

[drdoctor]

I don't know, for me the satisfaction of happy home life kind of trumps everything. That kind of necessitates a more flexible field, because the people around me actually want to spend time with me.

If you pick the right field in medicine and the right practice setting, you can work 30-40 hours a week and make more than your business friends working 60 hour weeks.