cpant...thanks for the post. very valid and good points. I think for me i'm trying to decide between the two and am really torn. I did electives in both and seem to enjoy both equally and can see myself doing either one...hence the issue i'm having. i'm sure others have had the same decision to make...I guess i'd like to know more about the future prospects of both fields in terms of supply/demand, reimbursements, etc...also, although i agree that ortho def. has more overnight call/trauma, it doesn't necessarily have to be that way. many pple have told me that private practice orthopods can choose to not be on call that much or to take call at a place where there isn't much trauma and thus their call isn't too bad...i don't know, i'm basically very undecided and want to make the right choice for me and the rest of my career (although i'm sure neither will be a wrong choice)
also, how do both fields compare in terms of competitiveness for matching? thanks for any insight/advice/opinions.