Choosing a Specialty and a Life

During the winter season, I spend time talking to a lot of residency applicants about their future specialty choices: Want the majority of your time to be in the operating room or in the clinic? Like procedures?

But another fair and reasonable approach is to consider lifestyle. A recent New York Times piece noted that 50% of physicians are burned out. Burnout is particularly severe among emergency physicians and critical care doctors.

As you go through your third-year clinical rotations ask yourself if you can find a role model who fits – not just your professional goals – but your personal ones. Ask to meet individually with faculty members for their opinions on their fields’ pros and cons.

Considering the growth in patient volume and the continued dearth of physicians, it’s critical to determine whether you can see yourself happy in a busy, lifelong career in a particular field.

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About Dr. Michelle Finkel

Dr. Michelle Finkel

Dr. Finkel is a graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Medical School. On completing her residency at Harvard, she was asked to
stay on as faculty at Harvard Medical School and spent five years teaching at the world-renowned Massachusetts General Hospital.
She was appointed to the Assistant Residency Director position for the Harvard Affiliated
Emergency Medicine Residency where she reviewed countless applications, personal statements and resumes. Read more

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