More factors to consider when choosing a specialty

To continue where I left off, here are three more factors to consider when choosing your medical specialty:

4) Make sure to factor in lifestyle considerations. Before choosing a specialty, the potential physician should spend time evaluating his or her goals for the medical career AND personal life. If you plan on having four kids, two dogs, and a vacation home you retreat to bi-monthly, you need to select a career that will allow for that. Don’t choose a specialty such as Surgery or Obstetrics that will have you on call all hours of the night and weekends. On the other hand, if you are a George Clooney style bachelor whose goals includes a penthouse apartment in a chic zip code and a lease on a private jet, it might be in your best interest to go for the 24/7 job (and the salary that comes with it). Be truly honest with yourself about what you’re capable of handling and what you really want out of life. It might be very possible that a specialty you absolutely love doesn’t quite mesh with your plans for the future. This is something that it’s better to figure out now than after three divorces.

5) Consider the technological aspects of each specialty. Some specialties are continually incorporating modern technologies, innovative techniques, and state-of-the-art equipment. If you are a physician who is constantly upgrading your computer, buying the newest iPod model, and photo texting all of your friends, then a technologically-heavy specialty is probably for you. If you still have a dial-up modem and a rotary phone, then you want to stick with a specialty that relies more heavily on patient interaction, medication, and hands-on healing.

6) Are you a people person? Bedside manner is important for some specialties, but some physicians just don’t have that type of personality. While most physicians will say that they are a people person, are you really? Are you the type of person who chats up a stranger in the check-out line, or the type who ducks behind a large curtain to avoid having to exchange hellos with an attending? While most specialties require a large dose of patient interaction, there are plenty that do not. Consider a career in Radiology, Pathology, or Anesthesiology if you love clinical medicine, but could take or leave the personal side of medicine. Conversely, if you are an excellent communicator and you love having relationships with your patients, practicing Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Ob/Gyn or Pediatrics will be right up your alley.