Medical Specialties

[RajPatel]

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?

[Nimitt]

Here is how the "competitive residencies" work: These are not necessary competitive because it takes a genius to become that specialist. Some are like that however they are competitive because they make good money and they have 9-5 work hours (like radiology which is also very competitive). FP is not competitive at all and if you do private practice you can have a 9-5 job. FP or IM you will be able to spend time with the family. Some of the sub specialty of IM like GI and cardio can and usually have longer work hours. Surgery also has long work hours but I know of surgeons that spend time with family and go on monthly vacations because they dont schedule as many surgeries. Get my jist.

Nimitt
3rd year
SGU SOM

[tns85]

Nextgenmd.org (in collaboration with New England Journal of Medicine) has interviews with physicians from various specialties, from Surgeons to Oncologists and other articles on a wide range of health issues (public health, money in medicine, research etc). It's free, reliable and a cool resource you should check out!