Hi there. I am RajPatel's younger bro. I am gonna be a 2nd year undergrad student and am always debating whether I should pursue medicine due to job security in the field and lots of outsourcing pooh pooh that has been happening w/ many nice jobs. If I want to be a doctor, then I want to definetely be a good, hardworking doctor that can still spend at least some time w/ my family to give them love and support. I am a big follower of the WORK HARD, PLAY HARD Philosophy.

I have heard Dermatology is one of the most competitive specialties to enter and that the lifestyle is so great in this field. I have heard dermatologists can work from 9 AM-5 PM Mon-Fri or EVEN 11 AM-3 PM Mon-Fri. Are there any other specialties in medicine that offer a great lifestyle like derma but aren't as competitive?

Also, even if I end up as a basic family practitioner, then should I work at a specific setting to have a flexible 9 to 5 type job or even 9 to 9 so I can still be there for family?

What are the lifestyles like of a family practictioner in an HMO or private practice?

Lastly, I seem to have an interest in the field of public health now. Isn't the field of preventive medicine kind of associated w/ public health? What is the lifestyle like in preventive medicine and how competitive is the specialty? Can most foreign grads attain this type of residency?
For practicing in preventive medicine, must I attain a master's in public health?