Tips on Choosing a Medical Specialty area
Dr Ashe Coxon – MBBS, FRACGP, DCH, MClinEd, GCCareerDvpt
Choosing a medical specialty may seem like an easy thing to do for many people, but the reality for many is that it is actually quite a difficult decision. There are many specialty choices and training programs that are large financial and time commitments which can leave doctors very uncertain about what may be the right path for them. Multiple other factors also impact someone’s choice to pursue specialty training – self expectations, family expectations, societal expectations, finances, lifestyle, location, availability of training etc.
Some people know quite early in their medical training what specialty they wish to pursue and others take substantially longer to decide.
This article will outline some tips for those who are yet to decide.
Tip #1: Look into all your options
This may be stating the obvious, but there are many specialties that people don’t consider which may be perfect for them. Traditionally doctors are exposed to rotations such as Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Emergency Medicine, General medicine, Surgical disciplines, Paediatrics, General Practice and Psychiatry and they may make their decision based on what they have been exposed to. Have you considered areas such as radiation oncology, pathology, public health or medical administration just to name a few? There are many careers that may be suited to you that you hadn’t even considered. I suggest reading a bit about every training program available before making such a life impacting decision. There is a course available on www.medicalcareerplanning.com.au titled 'Medical Specialty areas' which explores every available specialty training program, skills required, pre-requisites and training information.
Tip #2: Consider length of training, job opportunities and cost of training.
These considerations shouldn’t entirely dictate your decision but it is important to know if you are embarking on a training program that has little job security once fellowed, or how much the exams cost. There are lots of websites available to help provide with this information and your state based health system will usually have a careers section outlining these specifics, as does each college website.
Tip #3: The importance of reflection
I believe all doctors and medical students should use every day as an opportunity to reflect on what they like in medicine. For example, if you are doing an Emergency rotation and know that it isn’t your career of choice, instead of begrudgingly going to work each day, see it an an opportunity to sample a wide range of potential medical careers.
- Did you enjoy working with the elderly patient? Perhaps a career in geriatrics is suitable for you
- Did you enjoy the analgesia, sedation and intubation work of Emergency? Perhaps anesthetics is your calling.
- Did you enjoy the communication and getting to know the patient but didn’t like the fact you couldn’t follow the patient up? General Practice may be a good career option for you.
- Did you enjoy a bit of everything but felt working in a larger ED wasn’t right for you? Perhaps rural GP or ACRRM is an option for you
- Did you enjoy the administrative or political part of the work? Perhaps you are a budding medical administrator.
You can apply this reflection process to any rotation you are doing and instead of not enjoying your rotation, make the most out of the opportunity and use it as a career decision making process.
Tip #4: List your enjoyable patient interactions in a notebook each day.
It is easy to feel exhausted and resentful after a long day of busy ward calls, MET calls, sick patients, no lunch break and constant phone calls. Instead of reflecting on your exhaustion at the end of the day and thinking ‘I hate obstetrics and gynaecology’ (as an example) it is potentially the feeling of exhaustion and stress that you don’t enjoy, not the job itself. I suggest keeping a notepad in your pocket and after every patient you see note down if you enjoyed that interaction or not and what it was about it (Eg Communicating with patient, the procedure, being in theatre etc). I know that feels like an extra ‘job’ to do but at the end of the day you may be surprised by looking back on the notebook, you have enjoyed more than you realize.
Tip #5: Consider your values
Considering what your values are can make the decision an easier process. Ultimately working in an area that satisfies your values will be a more fulfilling experience and career for you.
If you are unable to verbalise your values I suggest you take some time to sit down and think about what is really important to you – Is it lifestyle, prestige, family, research, working outdoors, helping people? There are many values that you may not have considered which may actually direct you to the perfect career of choice.
There are a blog article covering values on www.medicalcareerplanning.com.au if you are uncertain about your exact values.
Tip #6: Consider what you enjoy outside of medicine
if you are uncertain what you may like to do within medicine I suggest considering what you enjoy outside of medicine as it may direct you to a career you may not have considered. Are you an avid basketball fan? Perhaps sports medicine may be an interesting career for you. Do you love the outdoors and adventure? Retrieval medicine may be to your liking. Do you love physics? Then have you considered radiation oncology?
Try to see if your hobbies or interests may fit into a career.
Tip # 7: Don’t be afraid to ask questions
If you are unable to get a rotation in an area that you are considering then approach a registrar or consultant in that area and ask them about the specialty. Most people are happy to help and are probably complimented that you are interested in their job. By expressing your interest in the area you may find that a job gets offered to you or they consider you for the next available position. It is worthwhile to also consider doing some unpaid work experience to see if you enjoy the area, especially if you need to commit to a training program prior to starting in the area.
Tip #8: Use all the resources available to you
There are many supports available for you, and you may not even realize it. Hospitals, medical schools and training organisations are usually there to assist you, or can direct you to the person that would best assist you. If you are uncertain about your training or your options discuss this with your supervisor, mentor, director of training, medical education officers (MEOs) at your hospital, career advisors and your GP – there is always plenty of people usually willing to help.
These are some starting tips around career decision making and if you want to speak to someone 1:1 then the fantastic career counsellors at Medical Career Planning will be able to assist! www.medicalcareerplanning.com.au
