subject: Picking The Best Medical Specialty For Your Career [print this page] As a medical student you will soon realize that the world is your playground and you have hundreds of options to choose from when it comes to the specialty that you can pursue. When you start rotating through surgery, internal medicine, psychiatry and many other fields within the field of medicine, you may get overwhelmed with all the choices and options that have opened up for you for your residency or specialization. It is understandable that this is a tough process, and there is constant fear of making the wrong decision.
This article aims at helping you take into consideration the various facets of a profession in medicine and narrowing down to a specialty that is best for you
1. Recognizing where your Passions Lie
The easiest way to select the ideal medical specialty for yourself is to do something that you truly enjoy and are also very good it. The idea is to be fair to yourself, your career as well as your patients. If you are able to find a specialization that balances out your interests with your skills, you are sure to succeed in that field.
2. Its okay to not Enjoy a Field in Medicine
Most medical students tend to be in denial about the areas or medical disciplines that they do not enjoy. For example, you may detest gynecology and pediatrics, but are afraid to admit that even to yourself. Understanding the areas that you dont specially enjoy are a good way to assess the options that you have in hand or enjoy.
3. Taking into consideration Lifestyle
Before you chose to get into the medical profession even as a student, you may have talked to enough professionals to understand the demanding lifestyle of this industry. At the same time, it is perfectly natural that you still wish to take into consideration the lifestyle that you wish to have for yourself. Do you wish to work the graveyard shift? Do you want the weekends off? For a more stable and predictable life within the discipline of medicine, it is recommended that you consider pursuing a career in dentistry, dermatology, ENT, and even skin; where there are fewer emergencies. In fact, many female medical professionals are seen opting for such careers which allow them to pursue their passions and even maintain a satisfactory work-life balance.
If you are getting into the field for the excitement and the adrenaline rush of saving lives day in and day out, consider more demanding fields such as orthopedics, surgery and gynecology.
You can also leave your options open for a while and pursue a residency in general medicine or surgery after which you can opt to pursue super specialized programs or short courses in various aspects of medicine, which equip you with latest expertise in patient treatment norms. Remember that it is okay to be confused even if the day of reckoning is approaching. At the end of the day it is you that will have to make the decisions that you feel is best for yourself. Consider something that you will enjoy in the long run, benefit your community and offers long-term sustainability.
