What specialty can you NOT see yourself in?

[Hope0913]

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Orthopedic Surgery

that is my weakness so far, i hate broken bones they freak me out
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[SabC]

derm - for the most part, not a real doctor

Yeah, my dermatologist is a DO to boot! 😛


Addiction medicine specialist - My mother is a hardcore addict, I do not have the empathy or the objectivity for this genre that I feel would be required to be truly effective.

Anything Peds - I didn't like them when I was one and I don't like them now. I also doubt my ability to detach sufficiently, emotionally speaking, to deal with children in pain or situations involving child abuse as part of my ongoing routine.

Ob/Gyn - Maintaining my own is more than enough of that...situation.


Thus far, I've had the most exposure to cancer, HIV, and the elderly (Parkinson's and Alzheimer's) and I really love working with these patients as well as the accompanying academia but given my previous statements I'll probably end up treating juvenile addicts. 😉

 

[DrYoda]

Peds: Hate kids

Ob/gyn: Kids + additional grossness 👎

Psych: Don't have the personality for it.

Optho: The eye kind of creeps me out.

ID: I want to minimize contact with infectious people.

 

[skiddoc]

Family practice...too boring indeed.

GYN might be a good way to meet a girlfriend, however.

 

[SabC]

GYN might be a good way to meet a girlfriend, however.

Or at least a good way to rule them out. lol

 

[bold text]

Or at least a good way to rule them out. lol

exactly, unless you prefer your GFs locked and loaded.

 

[surftheiop]

Specialties I pretty much gurantee I would never go into:

Anything with a Surgical Residency (I'd like to get married before I'm 32).

Ob/Gyn- I don't think delivering babies and doing pelvic exams is what I want to do with the rest of my life, also I don't want to deal with the abortion issue

Specialties I currently have some interest in:

Peds- I love working with kids and helping a really sick kid get healthy would be tremendously rewarding. I also like the fact the pediatricians give alot of "general advice", I like giving advice.

Psych- I find depression and addiction to be pretty interesting, although might end up deciding psych isn't "medical enough"

PM&R- Seems to be a really rewarding field and seeing as I did engineering undergrad, I think the bio-mechanics aspect would be right up my alley.

 

[akinetopsia]

Ob/Gyn - but part of it is practical, the malpractice is so high. I'm sure if you didn't do obstetrics it wouldn't be as bad. Women's health in general is interesting to me, but all together = pass.

 

[Procyon]

Another Ob/Gyn vote. Newborns are so delicate. They make me nervous. Neonatology would be pretty scary as a subspecialty too. Rads is a close second. It just sounds kind of boring to me.

 

[EulerianCircuit]

Peds: Hate kids

Ob/gyn: Kids + additional grossness 👎

Psych: Don't have the personality for it.

Optho: The eye kind of creeps me out.

ID: I want to minimize contact with infectious people.

Given your avatar, I find this hilarious.

For me, its derm, ID, Ob/gyn, and Colorectal surgery

 

[MossPoh]

As was mentioned way earlier, I can't wait to see how you guys change your minds in 3-5 years. You will find that things will change the more involved you get and when you get more experience. Things that were absolutely disgusting to you before will not really matter much. You will also discover your interests in the procedures, pathology, physiology, etc. of certain things will absolutely fascinate you for certain areas you'd never expect.

 

[SusGob711]

Radiology-I was bored to tears when I shadowed

Surgery (of any variety)-not enough patient interaction

Other than those I'm pretty open minded...probably EM, IM, or OB/MFM

 

[Tatastrophy]

surprised to see so many ppl not into surgery at all...i guess we all have dif inclinations huh

 

[girlofgrace7]

Any type of surgery beyond what is required for rotations: my hands are a bit shaky and I like interacting with non-sedated patients. Plus, I was a little grossed out watching chest tube insertions... that doesn't bode well for a career in surgery.

OB/GYN, nephrology, gastrointerology, and urology: I'd rather pass on specialties focusing on the urinary, GI, or reproductive tracts

Derm: moles and rashes kind of disgust me

I really enjoy peds and psychiatry, but I could see myself liking stuff like infectious disease or oncology once I'm in my rotations.

 

[Geekchick921]

As was mentioned way earlier, I can't wait to see how you guys change your minds in 3-5 years. You will find that things will change the more involved you get and when you get more experience. Things that were absolutely disgusting to you before will not really matter much. You will also discover your interests in the procedures, pathology, physiology, etc. of certain things will absolutely fascinate you for certain areas you'd never expect.

I think the people that have already sworn off about half of the poll choices are ridonkulous. I just know I will never be an ophthalmologist. I literally gag at the thought of cutting into an eyeball.

 

[girlofgrace7]

Hmm.. for some reason, I'm not really enjoying viewing this thread.. it just doesn't feel great to see a specialty, that you're willing to devote your life to, in someone elses's list of the most undesirable specialties..

Anyway, I just don't see how neurology, is not as popular as I thought - it's pretty much the best specialty out there. 😍 How cool would it be, to spend years studying the brain, and then being able to apply the knowledge to treat others' diseases. (I know many neuro diseases don't have cures or treatments, but there's still research out there - which makes it more exciting.)

Also, I'm pretty sure all those premeds who are genuinely interested in ob/gyn, psych, or peds aren't too pleased reading all these comments that view the field from such a distorted and oversimplified angle.. let's just stay positive about what makes specialties "special", instead of downplaying others...

I am interested in peds and psych and have no problem with other people not being interested in those fields. Sure, the comments may be "distorted and oversimplified," but it's from the person's perspective. If they don't like the thought of working with eyeballs, ophtho would not be for them. If they hate kids, they won't want to enter peds. If they have the attention span of a two-year-old, they probably won't make good psychiatrists.

Although one can not decide 100% on a speciality as an undergrad (though they can be interested in one or two for now), there are some things that people are just not cut out for. I think about the traditional "surgeon personality type." I have many friends who want to enter surgery, and some may call them arrogant or say they are too direct (cut-to-the-chase) and logical; however, I don't want a surgeon who is unsure of themselves and their abilities, and it would be incredibly unwise for surgeons to get too attached emotionally to their patients. Different people and different personalities are going to be interested in different things. I'm glad for this. No speciality is "better" than another because all are necessary, but some specialities are better for a given person.

 

[d1ony5u5]

Psych: way too quack-ish a field. Haven't heard of a good scientific foundation for this specialty, which is kind of important to me. Also, people with mental problems disturb me... not sure why.

Derm: Doesn't sound interesting enough, and being such a competitive residency to match into, I'm sure the number of douches in this field is through the roof.

Plastics: a good majority of the stuff they do seems too superficial to me. If you want to do cosmetics be a beautician! (JK, I know they are necessary. Just not the field for me).

Rads: sitting in front of a monitor all day does not sound fun. Maybe interventional could be a bit better...

 

[Procyon]

I think the people that have already sworn off about half of the poll choices are ridonkulous. I just know I will never be an ophthalmologist. I literally gag at the thought of cutting into an eyeball.

You say cute words like ridonkulous. 👍

 

[Geekchick921]

Hey Proc, how ya been? Playing ME3 eleventy billion times? I beat it once and after the May 1st MCAT I'm playing through it a few more times... can't. wait.

 

[Lots2offer]

OB/GYN, Rad, and urology

i like surgery, internal med, cardiology, emergency med, and oncology.

 

[username456789]

Derm: Doesn't sound interesting enough, and being such a competitive residency to match into, I'm sure the number of douches in this field is through the roof.

I realize this post is a couple years old, but you'd be surprised at how overrepresented "normal" people are in Derm compared with almost any other specialty (I'm speaking from a personality point of view, obviously most Derm residents are above average academically).

Plastics: a good majority of the stuff they do seems too superficial to me.

Uh, yeah, by definition in fact. Just like those pesky Internal Medicine docs are always fussing about what's going on with those pesky internal organs.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Allergy/Immunology- Meh kind of interesting for the zebras but having been an allergy patient I can't see myself liking day to day

Anesthesiology- Pretty cool, but I feel like I'd zone out and crash a patient. Plus, I like the other side of the curtain

Cardiology- If I had to pick an IM sub, this would be it. Again, the day to day stuff doesn't particularly excite me

Colorectal Surgery- Don't care for the surgeries or the smells. Clinic isn't fun

Dermatology- Definitely the specialty I couldn't see myself in. I don't find skin lesions particularly interesting, except for infectious ones. Don't care for the culture or the cultural impression of them either.

Family Practice- I kind of enjoyed it, but again I feel like the day to day wouldn't excite me much

General Surgery- The surgeries were better than colorectal, but still not really my cup of tea.

Hem/Onc- Like blood, don't like cancer (which is a 180 from my initial interests in medical school).

Infectious Disease- I like it, but I wasn't particularly good at it.

Internal Medicine- Don't care for the excessive rounding or notes. I find the content interesting, but not the practice

Nephrology- I liked renal a lot, but I'd rather do the urology side of it if I had to pick.

Neurology- The #1 alternative choice for me outside of my top choice. It's the only "mediciney" rotation where long rounds were fun. Love neurological disease and I think old school neurologists are some of the last great physical diagnosticians in this country. If you have a choice regarding who trains you in the physical exam, find the oldest neurologist that's still breathing.

Ob/Gyn- This would be the one that I would have picked prior to clinical year. But I actually really enjoyed the surgeries a lot. Vaginal births are not for me though.

Ophthalmology- As someone else said, not into the eyes. They freak me out. Teeth too.

Orthopedic Surgery- Don't care for the surgeries. Nice people in the field, but I didn't fit in.

Otolaryngology- Pretty cool stuff, but I didn't have a very good experience with the people. Cochlear implants are awesome.

Pathology- Like the content A LOT, but as a career I wouldn't be happy.

Pediatrics- Love kids, could see myself in a peds version of something else like ER, cards, neuro, or surgery, but general peds I think would wear on me.

PM&R- No real experience.

Plastic Surgery- Couldn't get in even if I wanted to, but I don't care for the culture of non-academic places.

Psychiatry- Pretty interesting, but not my skill set.

Pulmonology/Critical Care- I hate the lungs, I wish we didn't have them.

Radiology- Love reading radiographs, but I don't like the idea of having no control or reall access to the patients. Interventional IR is pretty sweet.

Rheumatology- Love the zebras and the normal stuff too, but I'm not a fan of their treatment aspect of it.

Urology- Renal surgeries are pretty cool, but the other aspects of the specialty didn't appeal to me.

My specialty of choice wasn't listed, but despite my mostly negative comments above I could be happy in almost any specialty.

 

[crazyasian]

Nothing surgical...

 

[Veritas86]

Peds/ObGyn - negative on kids. At any stage. Seconding the didn't even like them when I was one.

Surg - Interests me, but don't believe I have the personality. Also +1 on not enough patient contact. That's why I didn't go the pharm route.

Patho - interesting as all get out, but I don't so much dig lab work. And I would prefer my patients still alive 😛

Optho - eyes freak me out too. Nuff said.

Gastro - its the butt and related body parts. Not my bag, baby.

Other than those, I can see myself doing a lot of specialties. I'm leaning toward pulm/critical or emergency, but psych is in there, neuro is in there, and a bunch more. Kinda on the fence about rads, but I figure I'll give it an open mind.

 

[SmokeyG]

ob/gyn

To any guy who tries to convince himself it would be awesome: It's not glamorous. Think of the old ladies

 

[TriagePreMed]

Definitely pediatrics. If I messed up and killed one single kid, I don't think I'd ever be able to live with myself ever again.

 

[Cerena]

Optho ...
Eyes freak me out.

 

[music2doc]

ob/gyn & uro... no thanks! (this should be a multiple checkbox question)

 

[poshdoctor]

Cant see myself in
Allergy/Immunology
Cardiology
Any type of surgery besides plastics (....im from SoCal boob jobs galore)
Rheumatology
Geriatrics
Pathology
or Infectious Diseases 😱

 

[muhali3]

Allergy/Immunology- Meh kind of interesting for the zebras but having been an allergy patient I can't see myself liking day to day

Anesthesiology- Pretty cool, but I feel like I'd zone out and crash a patient. Plus, I like the other side of the curtain

Cardiology- If I had to pick an IM sub, this would be it. Again, the day to day stuff doesn't particularly excite me

Colorectal Surgery- Don't care for the surgeries or the smells. Clinic isn't fun

Dermatology- Definitely the specialty I couldn't see myself in. I don't find skin lesions particularly interesting, except for infectious ones. Don't care for the culture or the cultural impression of them either.

Family Practice- I kind of enjoyed it, but again I feel like the day to day wouldn't excite me much

General Surgery- The surgeries were better than colorectal, but still not really my cup of tea.

Hem/Onc- Like blood, don't like cancer (which is a 180 from my initial interests in medical school).

Infectious Disease- I like it, but I wasn't particularly good at it.

Internal Medicine- Don't care for the excessive rounding or notes. I find the content interesting, but not the practice

Nephrology- I liked renal a lot, but I'd rather do the urology side of it if I had to pick.

Neurology- The #1 alternative choice for me outside of my top choice. It's the only "mediciney" rotation where long rounds were fun. Love neurological disease and I think old school neurologists are some of the last great physical diagnosticians in this country. If you have a choice regarding who trains you in the physical exam, find the oldest neurologist that's still breathing.

Ob/Gyn- This would be the one that I would have picked prior to clinical year. But I actually really enjoyed the surgeries a lot. Vaginal births are not for me though.

Ophthalmology- As someone else said, not into the eyes. They freak me out. Teeth too.

Orthopedic Surgery- Don't care for the surgeries. Nice people in the field, but I didn't fit in.

Otolaryngology- Pretty cool stuff, but I didn't have a very good experience with the people. Cochlear implants are awesome.

Pathology- Like the content A LOT, but as a career I wouldn't be happy.

Pediatrics- Love kids, could see myself in a peds version of something else like ER, cards, neuro, or surgery, but general peds I think would wear on me.

PM&R- No real experience.

Plastic Surgery- Couldn't get in even if I wanted to, but I don't care for the culture of non-academic places.

Psychiatry- Pretty interesting, but not my skill set.

Pulmonology/Critical Care- I hate the lungs, I wish we didn't have them.

Radiology- Love reading radiographs, but I don't like the idea of having no control or reall access to the patients. Interventional IR is pretty sweet.

Rheumatology- Love the zebras and the normal stuff too, but I'm not a fan of their treatment aspect of it.

Urology- Renal surgeries are pretty cool, but the other aspects of the specialty didn't appeal to me.

My specialty of choice wasn't listed, but despite my mostly negative comments above I could be happy in almost any specialty.

Thanks for the suspense. What is it? Neurosurgery? Rad Onc? ENT?

 

[ScholarStud]

Radiology.

 

[shoehornlettuce]

I feel like Ob/Gyn would ruin something that I treasure very much.

Edit:

Definitely pediatrics. If I messed up and killed one single kid, I don't think I'd ever be able to live with myself ever again.

This also, anything dealing with sick kids... at the same time it would be incredibly rewarding to give a kid his life back.

 

[frutiaspice]

Surgery...Not that dexterous with my hands :/

 

[LUV29]

I love kids so much, but I am actually questioning if Pediatrics would be for me. They are so delicate and dealing with parents might be too challenging in its own. Anyway I haven't applied yet so that might change too.

Pathology was another one I was interested in, but being in a lab 24/7 might be boring.

Will see how med school goes before I choose a specialty.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Thanks for the suspense. What is it? Neurosurgery? Rad Onc? ENT?

Yes.


😉

 

[PhiPhenomenon]

Psychiatry.

It's ironic because I have a degree in psychology and work in mental health. Before anyone asks, I like my job, I believe very strongly in advocating for the mentally ill and eliminating stigma against them but this sums up my qualms with psychiatry:

- The efficacy of treatment is crap.
- Being trapped in a room interviewing patient after patient for ~15 minutes a pop just to ask how your meds are working and adjust accordingly isn't exactly my dream job.
- In my experience recovery from several mental illnesses (especially mood disorders) has a lot more to do with social vectors over medication adjustment.
- The politics involved in the field is toxic and rampant. Look at writing for the DSM-5.

The list goes on. But just so you don't get the wrong idea I don't believe that the field is ALL bad and some incredibly important advances have been made (e.g. evidence based cognitive therapy). However, I have a strong distaste for for the practice.

 

[archer57]

http://youtu.be/9TIThr-HTts

 

[Dei gratia]

I could see myself working in any specialty, but Otolaryngology (ENT) and Opthamology are my least desirable choices. I'm not 'actively' interested in the sensory organs and, I don't feel that I would be a benefit to either field.

 

[Praefectus]

Colorectal surgery, OB/GYN, or Psychiatry. Easily.

 

[Prohok]

For me, it has to be Psychiatry. As a nurse, I've dealt with a lot of psych patients in the past and it really isn't for me, no interest in it...

I really like OB/GYN, but I don't wanna go through the residency if that makes any sense, I'm actually interested in REI.

 

[notbobtrustme]

definitely not primary care and surgery.

other than that, I'm open to everything.

 

[armybound]

ob/gyn - the smell
ortho - bones freak me out, especially broken ones
psych - just not interested
ophtho - i couldn't handle cutting into one
derm - absolutely no interest
peds - kids hate me (though I do have some interest in peds surgery)

but all of this is before rotations. we'll see.

funny how a couple of years changes things. ob/gyn would be pretty high on my list, I still don't like ortho, psych is not so bad but not procedural enough for me, ophtho wouldn't be awful but not interested, derm is still awful, and peds really wasn't so bad.

 

[Stumpyman]

Ob/gyn-- Just, not for me
peds-- kids hate me, and I have to say, the feeling goes both ways.

Other than that there are things that interest me more than others, but I'd be willing to consider just about everything else.

 

[HeyThere13]

1. Nephrology
2. Pulmonology
3. Pathology
4. Radiology

 

[iqe2010]

Any kind of surgery. Everything else is fair game.

 

[tima]

If you want to be a docta and make some mula, you have to go through residency.

I really like OB/GYN, but I don't wanna go through the residency if that makes any sense, I'm actually interested in REI.

 

[tima]

People should visit their own posts when they actually start applying for residency.

It would be interesting to see how many people go into fields they didn't like before med school.

 

[SLC]

Neurology: you'll understand when you get to your Neuro block in med school.

It's complicated, boring (how many different types of seizures do we need to classify?). And I've never seen a specialty with so little to offer in terms of meaningful treatment (for many of their patients).

 

[druggeek]

ob/gyn (smell/appearance)

psych (insane people)

path (no patient contact)

urology (dont want to work on penises)

colorectal surgery (dont want to work on intestines surgically)

 

[djolson39]

From what I hear that is true. I have a friend that was a RN at a pediatrics clinics, loved working with the kids, hated working with the parents.