mediix

Thank you for your input. I agree that AI will eventually take over a lot of fields but I'm sure we can all agree that we are far, far, far from building robotic arms that can do surgeries. The evolution of software is far beyond in speed than the evolution of hardware. The only prob with rad is the absence/minimal amount of hands on experience, otherwise it is way more intellectually challenging than a lot of other healthcare fields - which is why for example we won't be seeing robotic arms doing dental procedures any time soon because of level of complexity and cost. I do agree with you on the ECG part.

I wish I had a credible source to cite here. Unfortunately, I have nothing to confirm if what I have heard from bunch of other medical students is true. I have never considered Psych to be honest - I enjoy physiology/anatomy a lot more than studying mental disorders and I'm more of a technical person. Someone told me to look into Anesthesiology (a good mix of physiology/hands on + good lifestyle) but from what I can see, it seems like a pretty stressful lifestyle. Besides the life style aspect, I think I really value having a private clinic in the long run. I'm assuming you are an ophthalmology resident - if so can I ask you for your thoughts on life style/$$$/job availability of ophthal? Do you think it fits a certain "personality" type person? Anything you know that you think might help me decide of ophthal is for me or not? As biased as your insight may be, it will definitely be immensely helpful.

Thank you to all of you, I really mean it. Your insights have been very helpful to me. I agree that I have to pick what I enjoy the most but knowing myself, in the future, I really would like to have the time to spend with my family/children so life style is as important (if not more) as how much I enjoy my work when it comes to picking between the different specialties. I do not want to be doing something I would hate just to have a good life style (otherwise, I absolutely wouldn't be in medicine now) but sometimes between 2 specialties, there isn't a huge difference in terms of likability. For example, I really didn't like dermatology (based on my exposure) - which is why it is not on my list, although they are known to have a good life-style. I cannot see myself doing major/open surgeries (like ortho, plastics, etc.) either but I think I can do minimally invasive surgeries (like microsurgeries in ophtho or in IR) and I did enjoy when I shadowed a few radiology residents in Toronto. IM (cardiology, endocrine, gastro) are all something I would consider. So it might be the difference between a 7/10 or an 8/10 when it comes to how much I enjoy each. However, if the life style (#hours on call, etc.) or job outlook (radiology being at risk in 10 years or so) of one is significantly worst than the other - this would totally change my decision. I would pick a specialty I enjoy 7/10 with a 8/10 lifestyle, then one I like 8/10 with a 2/10 lifestyle. When it comes to ophthalmology: I am concerned about the ridiculously low income of new graduates (150-200k for the first few years AFTER residency is brutal) as well as job market and lack of OR time. However, I love the fact that I can become a "business owner" and run a private clinic - not just because of the flexibility but also because I don't want to be practicing 24/7/365, I like a little bit of non-medicine stuff mixed in there too (this, and teaching, research, etc.) I do enjoy having "some" patient interaction and building rapport and long-term relationships with them. When it comes to radiology: I am concerned about the off-shore radiologists, role of machine learning and AI, and how radiologists are now forced to read so many studies, in so little time, and which is only getting worst. However, I like that I will be sitting at my desk and challenging myself mentally as opposed to hands on and physically taxing and "too-much" patient contact. You guys are the experts which is why I am reaching out to you to ask you about your thoughts when it comes to life style and employment opportunities for both ophtho and rad. Which residency is harder (when it comes to hours, # on call, etc.), which one has better salary and employment opportunities, which one will less likely to "die" in 15-20 years, etc. Thank you guys so much for your time, you guys are amazing.

Hi all, I am a first-year med student who, unfortunately, still hasn't decided what he wants to do. I have ruled out most of the specialties and I'm now down to Radiology Vs. Ophthalmology. Both have pros and cons but I'm leaning more towards Ophtho at this point as I really prefer to have my own private clinic in the long run as opposed to working in a hospital for the rest of my life. For me, life style and $ are very important factors and after reading bunch of threads about how Ophtho is becoming a pretty bad specialty (Salary going significantly down, no OR time, etc.) I am really concerned if I'm making the right decision to put all my focus on ophtho. I have heard that the salary in the first few years post-grad is 150-200k, and the only ones earning 400K+ are older high-volume surgeons (and no clinic time). I don't think I want to work so hard during medical school, spend 5 years of my life in residency, earn a relatively low in come for the first 5 years or so, etc. where nowadays family physicians are averaging 350k. I would appreciate if you guys have any insight about $ and life style of ophtho (nowadays) vs. radiology/internal medicine, etc. I'm not one of those people who wanted to become a surgeon since I was 5 so if lifestyle, $$$, job availability is bad for ophthalmologist, I prefer to find out sooner than later. Thanks!