Specialty Selection help

[apocalypsem3]

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Hey guys,

I've read previous threads on this topic, but they didn't really answer my questions. So here they are.

I am interested in Cardiology, Orthopedic Surgery, Opthalmology, Neurological Surgery, or Radiology. How are each of these specialties' future? I know radiology is in a little bit trouble because of amount outsourcing available, but how are the others? Which has most promosing future?

Thanks alot.

 

[Blade28]

Wow. That's a wide selection.

My advice is to narrow down your interests in the third and early fourth year of med school. Otherwise, it's just WAY to early to try and make a career decision.

 

[DoctorFunk]

Not only is it too early to know what field you might actually want to work in day after day, but you may find that your choices are narrowed down for you simply due to the competitiveness necessary to match in certain specialties.

 

[indo]

Hey guys,

I've read previous threads on this topic, but they didn't really answer my questions. So here they are.

I am interested in Cardiology, Orthopedic Surgery, Opthalmology, Neurological Surgery, or Radiology. How are each of these specialties' future? I know radiology is in a little bit trouble because of amount outsourcing available, but how are the others? Which has most promosing future?

Thanks alot.

Are you an AOA type?

 

[glp]

Hey guys,

I've read previous threads on this topic, but they didn't really answer my questions. So here they are.

I am interested in Cardiology, Orthopedic Surgery, Opthalmology, Neurological Surgery, or Radiology. How are each of these specialties' future? I know radiology is in a little bit trouble because of amount outsourcing available, but how are the others? Which has most promosing future?

Thanks alot.

you might want to add plastics, derm, GI, and urology to that list.

 

[Wizard of Oz]

you might want to add plastics, derm, GI, and urology to that list.

lol Add rad onc too.

I really wish people in their first two years of medical school would stop this nonsense about predicting the prosperity of future radiologists. You have no idea that I am currently designing a super-duper radiologic diagnosing machine that I have been hired to build only for use with Aetna-covered patients. It will self-destruct if taken across the U.S. border. Such talk of predicting what will be hot ten years from now would be better utilized on a forum for time machine designers.

If you want to look at "specialties in a little bit of trouble," radiology would not be so high on the list.

OP, the reason that your searches have failed you is because this is a forum for actual doctors-in-training, not daydreamers.

 

[apocalypsem3]

wow... wizard of oz is a little hostile today.

I want to kind of make up my mind so that I could do some research in that field to strengthen my chances. I guess the list is a little widespread. Any other advice on this topic would be appreciated.

 

[Law2Doc]

If you want to look at "specialties in a little bit of trouble," radiology would not be so high on the list.
.

Agree. Actually the specialties in crisis are not those facing overseas competition, they are those in which no one wants to go into the field and the average age of those currently in the field is close to 60.

 

[fantasty]

You might look at the Specialty aptitude tests (there are two frequently cited ones, which a little digging will reveal since they are covered on here a lot). Also, the Careers in Medicine cite on the AAMC webpage can be really helpful.

I can't comment on the specific specialties you've listed. But, a more general approach that someone early in the process should consider includes the following types of questions:

Do you like procedures? Do you like surgery? Some of your list is highly procedural, whereas others have little patient contact (i.e., rads unless you go interventional).

Do you want to deal with really sick patients and life/death decisions (perhaps cards and neurosurg)? Or do you want to improve the QOL for people who may otherwise be pretty well (perhaps ophtho and ortho)?

Do high malpractice premiums bother you?

Do you care if you work long hours, or do you want regularity to your schedule?

(okay - there's about 100 other questions so I'll stop now). I think the point that others are making is that choosing a specialty just based on competitiveness and (purely) financial reasons probably won't make you happy if you do not enjoy the work.

 

[Law2Doc]

wow... wizard of oz is a little hostile today.

I want to kind of make up my mind so that I could do some research in that field to strengthen my chances. I guess the list is a little widespread. Any other advice on this topic would be appreciated.

Read the Iserson book on residencies and consult the AMA Frieda website. Those resources should help narrow your questions so that they're less of the "tell me about all the competitive residency specialties" ilk. Good luck.

 

[jojo14]

It might be a good idea to work with people in those specialties for a few afternoons, to see what they really do and if you like/hate the specialty.

If you are a med student, even a MS1/MS2, it is very easy to email the chair of a department at your institution, a residency program director, or whoever. If you express your interest in the specialty and ask politely to work with someone a few times, I'm sure they would be happy to oblige.

Some of those specialties are very competitive, and it would be to your advantage to start research, or knowing how hard you need to work, etc if you really want to match in ortho surg or whatever.