MD Whats a good specialty for someone who doesn't have a strong passion for medicine?

[XxSynapsexX]

I have realized going through medical school, especially 3rd year clinical, that I do not have a strong passion for medicine. Especially as of late, I have just been going through the motions and trying to avoid anything medicine related as much as possible.

Some may say I am just burned out, but that is not the only issue. I just generally hate hospital/clinic atmosphere. The residents and doctors are all burnt out and constantly battling each other through microaggressions. Medicine has just been such a depressing, self defeating field and I am someone who is already a stressed person as is and need my outlets. I am studying Step 2ck now and comparing myself to when I was studying Step 1; I just have 0 desire to do any of this.

I feel like the difference is while everyone in medicine complains about it, most people still accept the bs. I want no part of it

I would probably be happy quitting and finding something else but I am already in my fourth year and cannot afford to do so.

My ultimate question is what is a profession for people who do not want their life to revolve around medicine? A field where I do not have to interact with too many medicine professionals?

P.S. I hope I don't get too much judgement for this, I am just as disappointed in myself for realizing too late.

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[Taddy Mason]

Just curious, did you go straight through undergrad into medical school or did you work in between or have any exposure to medicine other than shadowing? Again, just curious, no judgement.

 

[WiseOne]

If you go by the surveys, Radiology and Anesthesiology, they take the highest average vacation time per year (8-12 weeks) and...in my experience are just more chill. Nothing really fits your criteria totally. But the above two in my experience have the most "chill" doctors who don't really try to be identified as doctor outside the hospital. The MD is not their personality is another way to put it.

 

[XxSynapsexX]

Just curious, did you go straight through undergrad into medical school or did you work in between or have any exposure to medicine other than shadowing? Again, no just curious, no judgement.

I sense a sprinkle of judgement haha but no feelings caught here. And I did the 7 year program, I am pretty young which may contribute to the wrecking ball that medicine has been to me. I did do the standard shadowing and all, but I was usually with doctor's who would glorify medicine with their speeches which got me hyped and I guess I didn't see what was going on behind the scenes.

 

[XxSynapsexX]

If you go by the surveys, Radiology and Anesthesiology, they take the highest average vacation time per year (8-12 weeks) and...in my experience are just more chill. Nothing really fits your criteria totally. But the above two in my experience have the most "chill" doctors who don't really try to be identified as doctor outside the hospital. The MD is not their personality is another way to put it.

Thanks Man! I was actually considering Radiology. The con is that there is a hell of a lot of studying in residency and it has been getting more competitive lately

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

PM&R is pretty cool as well. Plus, it’s not uber competitive as of now

 

[BurntFlower]

Pathology...? Maybe go into business? Frankly, I'm not entirely sure.

 

[IMreshopeful]

What exactly made you want to go into medicine in the first place? Might want to reflect on this deeply. If it was then money/prestige thing only, then you’re not really gonna love anything you pick

 

[atomi]

What's your problem with "medicine?" Is it the subject material, the lifestyle, or the patients? There are different specialties that can handle most of these scenarios.

Sounds like you are just burnt out on studying and don't have the drive to go for anything competitive. If that's truly the case, consider psych. It's a relatively cush residency that isn't really that hard in terms of mastering the core concepts needed to practice. Plus the job market is good and it pays alright.

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

Pathology...? Maybe go into business? Frankly, I'm not entirely sure.

I agree. Your best bet is to go into consulting. If possible, getting your MBA at a Top 5 business school would put you out on top. You wouldn’t even have to complete residency

 

[Oso]

probably not medicine.

It’s one thing to not have a ‘passion’ for medicine, it’s another to hate being in the setting of medicine/around other medical professionals in general.

If you really think you’d be happier doing something else, then do something else (after you graduate).

However, many people feel burnt out after 3rd year. Also, if you are losing interest in things outside of medicine as well, i would consider talking to a counselor or someone.

Try to take a chill elective in a field you don’t despise after step and see how you feel

 

[Goro]

I have realized going through medical school, especially 3rd year clinical, that I do not have a strong passion for medicine. Especially as of late, I have just been going through the motions and trying to avoid anything medicine related as much as possible.

Some may say I am just burned out, but that is not the only issue. I just generally hate hospital/clinic atmosphere. The residents and doctors are all burnt out and constantly battling each other through microaggressions. Medicine has just been such a depressing, self defeating field and I am someone who is already a stressed person as is and need my outlets. I am studying Step 2ck now and comparing myself to when I was studying Step 1; I just have 0 desire to do any of this.

I feel like the difference is while everyone in medicine complains about it, most people still accept the bs. I want no part of it

I would probably be happy quitting and finding something else but I am already in my fourth year and cannot afford to do so.

My ultimate question is what is a profession for people who do not want their life to revolve around medicine? A field where I do not have to interact with too many medicine professionals?

P.S. I hope I don't get too much judgement for this, I am just as disappointed in myself for realizing too late.

Teaching

 

[SpartanWolverine]

Consider rads. It has zero clinic and, depending on the practice type, really doesn't have much of a 'hospital' atmosphere. It's certainly not for everyone, however, so you'd best do your due diligence. Personally hate path or else I'd say that. Anesthesia isn't a bad call, either.

It's important to pinpoint exactly what it is you think you couldn't deal with for the rest of your professional life. I mean, the things that would make you dread getting out of bed in the morning. If it's clinic, we could give you suggestions. If it's rounding on patients, we could give you other suggestions. That's the real beauty of medicine, IMO, -- tons of options.

What would you do otherwise? What do you like to do?

 

[UnoMas]

Consider rads. It has zero clinic and, depending on the practice type, really doesn't have much of a 'hospital' atmosphere. It's certainly not for everyone, however, so you'd best do your due diligence. Personally hate path or else I'd say that. Anesthesia isn't a bad call, either.

It's important to pinpoint exactly what it is you think you couldn't deal with for the rest of your professional life. I mean, the things that would make you dread getting out of bed in the morning. If it's clinic, we could give you suggestions. If it's rounding on patients, we could give you other suggestions. That's the real beauty of medicine, IMO, -- tons of options.

What would you do otherwise? What do you like to do?

He already said he doesn't like to read. AFAIK, there is TONS of reading during the 5 years of radiology.

Not interested in interacting with medical people, doesn't like to read medical stuff... you are SOL buddy
I was going to recommend Psych but the amount of bs consults will drive you nuts
EM, you still have to interact with specialists
Path, remember Robbins?

Do a 1 year internship and do instagram health fitness stuff if you are swole and good looking

 

[LookForZebras]

You may want to look into preventive medicine. It will lead to opportunities in medical-related fields, but outside of the actual practice of medicine. You could work for a pharmaceutical company, a health insurance company, government agencies, or in teaching, to name a few.

 

[zero0]

It's a job. You're not supposed to enjoy it. Suck it up, do an EM residency, work 500 hours a year doing locums, make 200k, and do whatever you want the rest of the year.

 

[trobinsonmd]

Quitting is realistically not an option at this point from a financial aspect... depends on your stats... if you really do not enjoy anything in medicine, I would say at least go for something that has decent hours and pays well... if you have the numbers, optho is good, radiology is good, anesthesia is okay... or you could get a masters in finance and work in the finance world... there are a lot of hedge funds or PE firms who hire physicians to consult on biotech/pharma companies.. you can also go into teaching, although the pay is not amazing starting out

 

[Mt Kilimanjaro]

It's a job. You're not supposed to enjoy it. Suck it up, do an EM residency, work 500 hours a year doing locums, make 200k, and do whatever you want the rest of the year.

Where are all the $400/hr EM jobs at?

 

[atomi]

Where are all the $400/hr EM jobs at?

RE: Economics of outrageous Locum Tenens hourly rates

EM docs claiming $400-$500/hr (edit $450-600 if you read the whole thread) locums rate for desparate shifts. Probably can't fill up your entire schedule with those, but hell if you don't want to work a lot and don't care about travelling from BFE, Montana to BFE, Maine to BFE, New Mexico over a period of a couple of weeks, I don't see why you couldn't just cherry pick the highest paying most desperate locations with no stoplights or McDonald's.

 

[QueenJames]

I feel you OP.

Medicine sucks balls.

I pray I did well enough on step 1 to do a 9-5:00, clear my 200-250K, and wipe my hands with this stuff.

The people suck (majority atleast), the patients suck too (why the eff do we need obese women on their 8th kid that are noncompliant with their insulin), and the culture sucks.

I may be burnt out.. jaded.. call it what you want and I'm SURE it gets better.... but this **** just sucks.

Period.

 

[AMEHigh]

I would probably do family medicine, internal medicine or emergency medicine. The reason I say this is because those fields will give you a broad scope of medicine that can easily translate into different careers once you are finished if you really want to get out of clinically medicine.

Sure, radiology or pathology might have a cushy lifestyle, but if your ultimate goal is to get out of clinical medicine I'd definitely go in to something a little more broad as to keep your future prospects open. Plus the residencies are short, and I wouldn't want to waste 5 years in a program if I didn't have to do so.

 

[Newyawk]

Another burnt out 3rd year here. Feel you OP.

A large part of it for me is the hours. I just didnt realize what a 60 hour week entailed (or 80 or 100?!!). Its not enjoyable at all.

Or maybe were just not thinking about the privilege it is to care for people at their neediest time. Maybe were selfish and dont see the bigger picture. Idk...

 

[XxSynapsexX]

Thank you all for your suggestions. Right now I am in the Radiology track and if I feel like I can bear it, that is most likely what I will do.

I do not entirely hate reading about medicine or studying in general. I just really dont like studying clinical medicine. There is just too much variability in it, many things do not make sense to me. I did enjoy anatomy and more of the basic sciences.

I just really feel like when I am at the hospital I am in this backwards culture that doesn't seem too keen on change and just wants to keep things the same for their own comfort. There are just soo many times I am standing there in third year saying to myself "this is bs, thats bs, why the hell are we doing this, oh you want me to stand for a 10 hour surgery that I have already seen 6 times that contributes no value to my education? If you insist on not using common sense and just going with the status quo, suit yourself."

Even in this post, I can see the snarky, negative, comments that color medical professionals. I do appreciate the people who are actually providing good advice though!

 

[PlasticBag]

If you like basic sciences, how about medical genetics? I don’t know much about the specialty but I imagine that your prospects for a meaningful, more science oriented career would be pretty good, given that you finish residency. Maybe you could transition into research or work for a biotech company.

 

[Taddy Mason]

I sense a sprinkle of judgement haha but no feelings caught here. And I did the 7 year program, I am pretty young which may contribute to the wrecking ball that medicine has been to me. I did do the standard shadowing and all, but I was usually with doctor's who would glorify medicine with their speeches which got me hyped and I guess I didn't see what was going on behind the scenes.

There's probably some judgment in there, but its more directed at the system and where I went to med school. I grew up around healthcare and medical education, and worked in healthcare for 6 years prior to med school so was pretty well aware of the culture in medicine. Feeling jaded and frustrated like you are is something I’ve noticed to be more prevalent in people who’ve gone straight through, or exposure to medicine has primarily been shadowing or research. Unfortunately a lot of the things you mention that frustrate you in post #23 are going to be found in any career, you just have to find something you enjoy enough that makes dealing with that crap worth it. I switched from an unrelated field to medicine and all the issues you mentioned were pervasive in both; I just find medicine more enjoyable overall so putting up with the BS is more tolerable. IMO, rads, gas, medical genetics, and path (particularly forensic) sound like good fits. You could also look into bioinformatics, epidemiology/public health, or sell your soul and do clinical “research”.

 

[IMreshopeful]

Thank you all for your suggestions. Right now I am in the Radiology track and if I feel like I can bear it, that is most likely what I will do.

I do not entirely hate reading about medicine or studying in general. I just really dont like studying clinical medicine. There is just too much variability in it, many things do not make sense to me. I did enjoy anatomy and more of the basic sciences.

I just really feel like when I am at the hospital I am in this backwards culture that doesn't seem too keen on change and just wants to keep things the same for their own comfort. There are just soo many times I am standing there in third year saying to myself "this is bs, thats bs, why the hell are we doing this, oh you want me to stand for a 10 hour surgery that I have already seen 6 times that contributes no value to my education? If you insist on not using common sense and just going with the status quo, suit yourself."

Even in this post, I can see the snarky, negative, comments that color medical professionals. I do appreciate the people who are actually providing good advice though!

I hope the snarky comment was not directed at me. I was genuinely trying to understand what interests you. You also posted about hating clinical medicine in a thread about a field where the vast majority of people are doing... clinical medicine. There’s gonna be irritated people.

If basic science and anatomy is what interested you, maybe path or rads is reasonable. Minimal patient contact (basically zero) might be what you’re looking for.

As for variability... buddy when you do any field of study there’s a lot of variability. We aren’t robots. Humans are all different and have some slight tweaks or variations upon each other. By and large guideline evidence based medicine also means that you still treat most things the same... heart failure is treated with the same cocktail of meds for the most part even if your approach is slightly different and individualized. So any variability is inherent in an imperfect system. Even in radiology, interpreting something on a CT may vary between readers greatly - it’s not that cut and dry. So don’t be disappointed if you run into this issue with those fields.

 

[atomi]

If you like basic sciences, how about medical genetics? I don’t know much about the specialty but I imagine that your prospects for a meaningful, more science oriented career would be pretty good, given that you finish residency. Maybe you could transition into research or work for a biotech company.

Medical informatics is another field you can go into. A small number of radiology grads do this after residency instead of clinical practice.

 

[Ho0v-man]

Path. Don’t do rads. Intern year+residency +fellowship and you’re already sick of training? That’s six more years and a lot of staying up all night afterwards. Meanwhile my pathology professors are all bragging about their vacations, their hour-long coffee breaks, and the fact that when someone calls in the middle of the night , they just say “I’ll deal with sometime tomorrow.”

 

[XxSynapsexX]

I hope the snarky comment was not directed at me. I was genuinely trying to understand what interests you. You also posted about hating clinical medicine in a thread about a field where the vast majority of people are doing... clinical medicine. There’s gonna be irritated people.

If basic science and anatomy is what interested you, maybe path or rads is reasonable. Minimal patient contact (basically zero) might be what you’re looking for.

As for variability... buddy when you do any field of study there’s a lot of variability. We aren’t robots. Humans are all different and have some slight tweaks or variations upon each other. By and large guideline evidence based medicine also means that you still treat most things the same... heart failure is treated with the same cocktail of meds for the most part even if your approach is slightly different and individualized. So any variability is inherent in an imperfect system. Even in radiology, interpreting something on a CT may vary between readers greatly - it’s not that cut and dry. So don’t be disappointed if you run into this issue with those fields.

Not at All Man it was just the general vibe, you guys are for the most part right, When I posted this I think I was at Maxmal burnout from Step 2ck studying. I guess each person is different and I should not go generalizing so much. Personally, I do not thrive in the medical school atmosphere and between doing IB in high school, being compressed by a 7 year medical program, I feel like I have just not had time to personally develop myself. Its great that I will become a doctor and all, but I want to have hobbies and a social life and not be consumed academics and work. I think I will try out Rads. Anyway thank you guys!