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How to know what branch of medicine is the right one for you?

I personally think that the pediatrics branch is overpopulated at this moment. #medicine #family-medicine

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Naiara’s Answer

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Hi Nicole,


It's definitely not simple to choose a branch in medicine - there are so many options! I am not sure in which stage you are in your education...some people know exactly what type of doctor they want to be even before starting medical school. That was definitely not my case. I had ideas about different specialties, but very little experience and understanding. During medical school, mostly 3rd and 4th year, medical students have the opportunity to rotate through all the major specialties (pediatrics, internal medicine, general surgery, family medicine, psychiatry, OB/GYN, Neurology, Emergency Medicine, etc). That's your chance to learn more about each of these and find one that you truly enjoy and find interesting. I decided to do Dermatology after a few rotations in Derm. I found this specialty to be extremely diverse: you can care for children - elderly, do a lot of surgical procedures, and treat a huge variety of conditions (skin cancer, acne, autoimmune diseases). In addition, I felt that Dermatology fit well with my personality. This is also something important to keep in mind. For example, if you do not like a fast-pace environment and unpredictability, being an Emergency Room doctor wouldn't be the best choice for you. job-wise, as a physician, you likely will not have difficulty finding a job, regardless of your specialty. I hope this is helpful :)

Thank you comment icon Thank you for the answer! It was very helpful and informative! Angelina
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Bill’s Answer

Hi Nicole, wow that is a really interesting question. To be gifted enough to pursue a medical career is awesome, but how to narrow your interest? From an employabilty perspective, specialties are probably are in the most demand. It sounds cliche, but what interests you? There are also research opportunities in the medical field. Not sure this helps but I hope it keeps you thinking!
Thank you comment icon Thanks a lot. It got me thinking! NICOLE
Thank you comment icon Thanks for the answer! Angelina
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Gary’s Answer

Hi,
You have a good answer above, I think that once you are accepted into medical school and start to learn more about medicine...a career choice might become more clear to you based on on your interest and the needs in the field at the time.Good luck!


In the meantime, here is a good link for you with information on all specialties in medicine:
http://www.aboutmedicalschools.com/medicine/branches.asp
Medical Specialties
Once students have concluded the medical school is common that they want to reinforce their studies following a specialty of medicine inside surgical, internal medicine, diagnostic or clinical specialties. Consider these common specialties around world-wide to take a final decision.
Diagnostic Specialties
These specialties are generally take place inside a clinical laboratory, where investigation and screening procedures are realized also taking a count transfusion and the cell therapy.
Thank you comment icon Thanks, very helpfull NICOLE
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Erin M’s Answer

Medical School's generally try to provide a wide range of specialty experiences for their students. However until there is complete parity among salaries for different specialties, those with outstanding and sometimes crushing student loans, are almost forced to pick higher paying specialties. I saw this within my own medical school class. Generally, psychiatrists, pediatricians, and family practice doctors are on the lower end of the current reimbursement scale. While surgical specialties get reimbursed at the high pay scales.

Erin M recommends the following next steps:

My best advice is that when you can take a wide variety of classes above the required ones. If research is in your future try it out as an elective in med school. I was equally good a surgery and psychiatry in medical school. I was torn, but after spending three months in scrubs, the cold operating rooms, and not having much interaction with patient's I switched in my last year of med school to the psychiatry track, especially the research psychiatry track. I don't know how to describe it but it felt "right". I enjoy talking to people and helping them solve their problems. Everyone has to find what is rewarding to them monetary and non-monetary.
If you are unsure even through medical school, you can go into something that allows you to specialize as a fellow. A fellow, is a paid position that allows you to specialize your training experience. Let's say you go into pediatrics, but you find that like working with a subset of children, perhaps those with muscular dystrophy. Then you do a fellowship which addresses your interests. Fellowships also tend to increase your base salary.
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