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Sophia
Student
Floral Park, New York
1
Question
Updated
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Is it worth it to pursue a specialty in Pediatrics? What are some of the most worthwhile specialties?
I know that I want to pursue a career in the medical field, specializing in pediatrics. I am an incoming college freshman planning to major in Biology and take on the pre-med route. I want to try to explore just general pediatrics for now but I'm curious what it's like studying something specific, how job finding or residency or shadowing is in a particular pediatric field, what patient care looks like, what kind of research is done (if any at all), or how pursuing it is like in general. I know there are also salary differences based on the specialty but I'm more curious as to what experiences can come with different specialties vs. what it's like in general pediatrics. I also want to hear some of the best experiences some people have had doing specialties and how satisfactory they are career-wise
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1 answer
James Hanson
Pediatric Intensive Care Physician; Consultant
74
Answers
Oakland, California
Updated
James’s Answer
Dear Sophia: I recently retired from being a pediatric intensive care physician for over 35 years. As you may know, one has to complete a general pediatric residency to go on to do any sub-specialty. During medical school and residency you will have plenty of exposure to different specialties so you can decide if you want to do primary care or continue on to be a specialist.
I am happy I decided to pursue critical care. I got to care for the sickest of the sick, and therefore got to work closely with all other specialties, including surgical specialties. Yes, this meant extremely long hours (now there are rules limiting trainees to no more than 24 hours straight and 80 hours/week, but that was not true early in my career). However, it also meant that I had some weekdays off. Despite my crazy schedule, I got to go on my kids' field trips, be a soccer coach, and enjoy hobbies.
Various rules and regulations make it harder than it used to be to shadow physicians before medical school (HIPAA, for one), but you can try. Overall, there is a physician shortage, so it is unusual to struggle to find a job. Of course finding that job in the city you desire can be a challenge, so it is always good to try to be a stellar student while still being sure to care for yourself.
The research world is currently very worried, as the current administration has taken a lot of money away from medical (and other) research. This is hurting many scientists and universities and medical schools now, and will hurt many patients over the upcoming years. Hopefully, such funding will be restored. If so, there are many wonderful research opportunities. In my case, I did clinical research in partnersip with others around the country, which was fun and rewarding. If you pursue a fellowship (sub-specialty training), you will be required to do research. You have plenty of time before you have to worry about that, but if you take statistics and/or work in a lab during college, that will help both your ability to get into medical school and your future research efforts.
Salary should not be the reason you choose a specialty. Let your heart guide you to something that brings you joy. General pediatrics allows one to get to be a part of many families, as you watch the babies you cared for become young adults - and sometimes even bring their children to you. Some sub-specialties also have a lot of continuity because of the long-term needs of patients (endocrinology, genetics, gastroenterology...), although these also care for acute problems as consultants. Hospitalists are physicians that specialize in inpatient care. Emergency physicians specialize in emergencies and urgent care. These two do tend to work their share of night shifts and weekends, but also (like me) have some weekdays off that most specialties do not. Urgent calls on nights and weekends happen for most sub-specialists, although less so for some such as dermatology.
Please note that when you get into medical school you may find you change course as you experience different possibilites. Enjoy the journey!
I am happy I decided to pursue critical care. I got to care for the sickest of the sick, and therefore got to work closely with all other specialties, including surgical specialties. Yes, this meant extremely long hours (now there are rules limiting trainees to no more than 24 hours straight and 80 hours/week, but that was not true early in my career). However, it also meant that I had some weekdays off. Despite my crazy schedule, I got to go on my kids' field trips, be a soccer coach, and enjoy hobbies.
Various rules and regulations make it harder than it used to be to shadow physicians before medical school (HIPAA, for one), but you can try. Overall, there is a physician shortage, so it is unusual to struggle to find a job. Of course finding that job in the city you desire can be a challenge, so it is always good to try to be a stellar student while still being sure to care for yourself.
The research world is currently very worried, as the current administration has taken a lot of money away from medical (and other) research. This is hurting many scientists and universities and medical schools now, and will hurt many patients over the upcoming years. Hopefully, such funding will be restored. If so, there are many wonderful research opportunities. In my case, I did clinical research in partnersip with others around the country, which was fun and rewarding. If you pursue a fellowship (sub-specialty training), you will be required to do research. You have plenty of time before you have to worry about that, but if you take statistics and/or work in a lab during college, that will help both your ability to get into medical school and your future research efforts.
Salary should not be the reason you choose a specialty. Let your heart guide you to something that brings you joy. General pediatrics allows one to get to be a part of many families, as you watch the babies you cared for become young adults - and sometimes even bring their children to you. Some sub-specialties also have a lot of continuity because of the long-term needs of patients (endocrinology, genetics, gastroenterology...), although these also care for acute problems as consultants. Hospitalists are physicians that specialize in inpatient care. Emergency physicians specialize in emergencies and urgent care. These two do tend to work their share of night shifts and weekends, but also (like me) have some weekdays off that most specialties do not. Urgent calls on nights and weekends happen for most sub-specialists, although less so for some such as dermatology.
Please note that when you get into medical school you may find you change course as you experience different possibilites. Enjoy the journey!
This was very insightful and helpful, thank you so much!! I know that working with children will be rewarding for me and bring me joy. I can't wait to see all that the field offers!
Sophia