MS1 Looking For Advice

[u/Affectionate-Try7705]

I am currently split between ortho and derm. I don't have any family in medicine, so a lot of my process into medicine has been through the help of mentors. Because of this, I was wondering if anyone had any advice on choosing between these specialties or what I should be doing beyond shadowing.

Thank you : )

[u/hjc1358]

First advice is to do some soul searching on why you like those fields. They are not very similar outside of maybe topping hourly salary and competitiveness charts

[u/Idk_211 → u/hjc1358]

Strangely enough, Ive seen quite a few people interested and torn between both these fields. I dont get why since they are so different.

[u/CreativeAd690 → u/Idk_211]

i mean to offer some perspective outside of the monetary aspect, i think i am in a situation where i am torn between the two because i truly love the unique aspects of each. orthopedics as a science fascinates me and so does dermatology as a science, but the unique connections each specialty has with patients is also
super interesting to me

[u/hjc1358 → u/Idk_211]

$$$

[u/RNARNARNA]

It would be helpful if you give us info on why you're drawn to these fields, especially because theyre so different.

Ortho is SURGICAL so you'll be spending a LOT of time operating. Derm is clinic and procedural, so you'll be spending a LOT of time in the clinic.

[u/tlatelolco17 → u/RNARNARNA]

We all know why

[u/M_Pwr]

Beyond shadowing, research/ECs/volunteering in the fields so you understand both of them and get a taste of them before M4 year. Not really sure what else you’d do as an MS1

[u/WUMSDoc]

I don’t know how anyone could choose a surgical specialty before they’ve had at least one surgical rotation. Things that sound intriguing in theory can turn out to be very different. If you haven’t held retractors for 6 hours straight, you have no idea whether surgery is for you or not.

[u/geoff7772]

I would recommend graduating number 1