Top Ten Medical Specialties 2007
November 5, 2007
Rank. Specialty (Applicants/Position)
1. Dermatology (1.8)
2. Plastic Surgery (1.7)
3. Surgery – General (1.6)
4. Obstetrics & Gynecology (1.4)
4. Orthopaedic Surgery (1.4)
6. Internal Medicine (1.3)
6. Otolaryngology (1.3)
6. Pathology (1.3)
6. Radiation Oncology (1.3)
6. Radiology – Diagnostic (1.3)
Source: NRMP
what about ophthalmology??? gen-surg #3??? are you kidding?
I agree that ophthalmology should be more desired specialty than gen surg, but this is the official NRMP list. I didn’t make it. Every year different specialties are more interesting than others. I was told that after the tv episodes ER started years ago, many med students wanted to get into ER residency.
What about anaesthesia???? Isn’t it more interesting than O&G? And I guess it pays more, isnt it?
are you mad??anaisthisiology vs o- g($$$$)..
be serious
What about anaesthesiology???? Isn’t it more interesting than O&G? And I guess it pays more, isnt it?
@teejay: From my point of view the best specialty is the one you really like and want to work. Of course, this is not always possible due to many different reasons such as doctor IMG, too competitive specialty, lack of USCE, no research, and many others…you name it.
In this case, some of the candidates for a certain specialty need to switch to another not very desirable but still acceptable for them specialty.
All of the anesthetists I know working at the same Hospital I work, talk very religiously about their specialty. In other words they love it. Some of the Pros are:
-no responsibilities after the day is over
-very good pay
-many job opportunities
-work with surgeons, the highest level in the doctors hierarchy=good connections
-don’t need very good language skills; their patients sleep most of the time
-easily transferable license everywhere in the world
So, if you really like it go for it, but if you weren’t born to be an anesthesiologist, don’t waste your time only because the specialty has good future, or because you friend is anesthesiologist and he/she likes it very much. It is totally up to you which medical pathway you are going to take. Pick carefully.
I definitely agree with the above ideas, that the best specialty is the one you are fascinated about. It will certainly open doors to your desired future and lifestyle, once you love and commit to it. However, most medical specialties need talent. Make sure you have the appropriate talent to the specialty before you commit to it. I like the medical school’s organisation, giving students the opportunity to absorb most of the general medicine before choosing their specialties. This is very important as students happen to know what they like the most and what they think is best for them regardless of the pay, work conditions, and so on. However, most of us take into account the pay, and work conditions,… when choosing their specialties. Yes, I don’t deny that its important though the affiliation is the first thing not to ignore.
wait..I am interested in why cardiology is not in the top 10. Isn’t this a fascinating specialty?? I think so, I mean its a wonderful organ, and considering also all of the major obesity problems in our country and everything, it surprises me that this isn’t up there…??
cario is a subspecialty of internal medicine. if you wanted cardiology, you would have to go do an internal medicine specialty and then do a fellowship in just cardio.
just dermatology
Just orthopedics as the best specialty!
by the way it’s the most competetive specialty in the whole world!
definitely plastic surgery is worth being placed where itis,but why dermatology- seems everybody is after beatification.
derm is top on this list because a derm job is typically 9-5 for good money. no one has a dermatological emergency at 3 am that requires you be dragged into the hospital…
g&obst is simply the best. the stress of an obstetrician is equal to this of an anaeth.