What fields should I consider?

[kjj17]

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Sorry for the noob question, but I'm pretty overwhelmed by all the options available and was wondering if SDN might be able to give me a few suggestions for what specialties to further explore. I know I will better be able to learn/explore once I start med school, but I'm asking now because I have a lot of free time in July and while I will take the time to relax, I also wanted to shadow a few local doctors.

Right now I think I am interested in either peds/FM or an IM subspecialty (oncology?)

Here are some criteria I am thinking about right now, please be kind because I know I'm super naive atm and my opinions may change once I actually begin med school
1) A field that is in pretty high & consistent demand (easy to find jobs now and for the foreseeable future)
2) Possible/common to have a more flexible work schedule (I know pediatricians who work 3 days a week - not saying I PLAN on working part time, but would like to have the option if ever needed)
3) Patient interaction (at least some)
4) I'm interested in primary care, but if I specialize (e.g. something in IM), I want to work in a field that has some high relevance to my own life and/or has bigger impact or significance. So not something like derm or allergy. I'm interested in oncology b/c my family has a history of cancer. Also considered Geriatrics after reading Atul Gawande's Being Mortal
5) Low liability? I'm not sure how to put this one. I would rather not be doing dangerous procedures or making life-or-death decisions. I don't want to sound like a copout, but I feel like certain people's personalities are more or less cut out for fields like that.

Thank you!

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

I feel somewhat the same way as you. I feel overwhelmed by the fact that there are so many specialties out there - some of which you might not even run into during school without making an active effort to try the field out. And even after shadowing (sometimes for months) I still end up liking pretty much every field I look into. Seems like fields should either jump out as something you would never want to do, or would love to do. But so far at least, I seem to have a pretty positive feeling about everything - I cant even make the medicine vs surgery decision lol.

I suppose the USMLE will probably help me make the decision haha.

I dont know how there are those people out there that from day one know exactly what they are doing, and then end up actually accomplishing it. Its not that I am indecisive, I am simply unaware of what all of the fields even offer and feel like I dont have enough time to check them all out appropriately.

 

[Shjanzey]

Sounds like you want to be a nurse

Seriously, start by considering everything, as you gain more experience you will find out that some stuff is totally boring, and other things you wish you could do all the time. Pick the latter, even if it is high liability and demanding. Work isn't work if you love it.

 

[kjj17]

Sounds like you want to be a nurse

Seriously, start by considering everything, as you gain more experience you will find out that some stuff is totally boring, and other things you wish you could do all the time. Pick the latter, even if it is high liability and demanding. Work isn't work if you love it.

haha thank you. I don't mind demanding, and I amended original post to indicate I'm not trying to find something to do part time (per se, but I may want to have that option down the road e.g. when I have kids?)

 

[PL198]

you said you're interested in primary care. that narrows it down to like 2-3 things depending on your definition. just find a mommy track FM or peds gig

 

[622601]

PM&R is pretty flexible and laid-back. Tons of variety (huge scope, several subspecialties, inpatient, outpatient, procedures, etc.). Many people do it part-time and earn a solid living. It's got great demand and is a small field, so market saturation isn't as big of an issue as it is with some other specialties. Just some thoughts.

 

[kjj17]

you said you're interested in primary care. that narrows it down to like 2-3 things depending on your definition. just find a mommy track FM or peds gig

sorry, edited to clarify I'm not only interested in primary care. but it's one possibility. but yes, I'm well aware that FM/peds are family friendly

 

[PL198]

PM&R is pretty flexible and laid-back. Tons of variety (huge scope, several subspecialties, inpatient, outpatient, procedures, etc.). Many people do it part-time and earn a solid living. It's got great demand and is a small field, so market saturation isn't as big of an issue as it is with some other specialties. Just some thoughts.

yeah PM&R sounds like it fits OP's interests and wishes the most

 

[W19]

Why not psych?

 

[J ROD]

 

[kjj17]

hmm so any IM subspecialties or no...?

 

[masaraksh]

telerads

 

[Roxas]

Sorry for the noob question, but I'm pretty overwhelmed by all the options available and was wondering if SDN might be able to give me a few suggestions for what specialties to further explore. I know I will better be able to learn/explore once I start med school, but I'm asking now because I have a lot of free time in July and while I will take the time to relax, I also wanted to shadow a few local doctors.

Right now I think I am interested in either peds/FM or an IM subspecialty (oncology?)

Here are some criteria I am thinking about right now, please be kind because I know I'm super naive atm and my opinions may change once I actually begin med school
1) A field that is in pretty high & consistent demand (easy to find jobs now and for the foreseeable future)
2) Possible/common to have a more flexible work schedule (I know pediatricians who work 3 days a week - not saying I PLAN on working part time, but would like to have the option e.g. when I have kids)
3) Patient interaction (at least some)
4) I'm interested in primary care, but if I specialize (e.g. something in IM), I want to work in a field that has some high relevance to my own life and/or has bigger impact or significance. So not something like derm or allergy. I'm interested in oncology b/c my family has a history of cancer. Also considered Geriatrics after reading Atul Gawande's Being Mortal
5) Low liability? I'm not sure how to put this one. I would rather not be doing dangerous procedures or making life-or-death decisions. I don't want to sound like a copout, but I feel like certain people's personalities are more or less cut out for fields like that.

Thank you!

It's fun to discuss, and there's nothing wrong with that but be prepared to change your mind a hundred times throughout the duration of med school.