pathtalk.org is a weblog about pathology and laboratory medicine.

Career Choices

Our Pathology program has set up the curriculum so that we do three-month block rotations during our second year of training.  I just finished my three-month intense hematopathology rotation and really enjoyed it.  I’m psyched about doing more of it and I hope to do a fellowship.

In the midst of talking about career choices with other residents and faculty, it seems that certain generalizations are made about choosing one specialty over another.  Plenty of generalizations could be made about pathologist personalities compared with those in other fields of medicine.  I would have to emphasize that many are clearly untrue, of course.

But perhaps there is some truth to generalizing what types of residents and fellows are looking for hematopathology, versus dermatopathology, versus general surgical pathology, versus microbiology, etc.  One generalization I heard was that hematopathologists like things well-ordered and relatively black and white.  On the other end of the spectrum would be dermatopathologists who are more tolerant of flexible diagnoses.  And surgical pathologists somewhere in between.  I am clearly a literal person who prefers the ‘black and white’ distinctions in life.  I focus well on one subject at a time.  Thus pathology fits me well and perhaps hematopathology fits me the best.

What are your thoughts on specialty choices and personality types?  Any truths to help guide searching students or residents?

Christopher – Good for you for thinking on such things. It’s trite, but trust your gut and pick whatever attracts you most – you’re doing a lot of subconscious analysis as you observe. Keep in mind though that unless things have changed since my residency 20 years ago, while you have enough opportunity to explore the specialties, you probably have not had any exposure to community pathology. See if you can spend a month or two with us out on the frontline. A perspective away from academics – not necessarilly better or worse – just different.

Hi Christopher – I’m curious about something; some medical specialties require a lot more “technical” knowledge these days than others. How much do you think that affects the choice medical students make? Do the computer savvy all congregate in Radiology, for example?

Ole,

I agree that some students migrate toward certain specialties based on their technical interests. For instance, I know quite a few technically gifted students who chose Radiology, Surgical specialties, and Radiation Oncology because they were stimulated by this aspect of the job description. Pathology also happens to attract those who like to be on the edge of what is technically cutting edge. Just look at new microarray technologies, other diagnostic instruments, lab informatics, and virtual microscopy.

I’ve found that the most tech-savvy people end up liking research applications, usually in some sub-specialty. However, I also know some of my tech-gifted classmates who chose to do Primary Care specialties and will likely introduce their perspective and help their residencies and practices embrace the advantages of technology.

On the other hand, I don’t think one who doesn’t have a lot of tech background is handicapped in any particular specialty. There may be a little bit of catching up in terms of getting the knowledge needed to practice their particular field of medicine, but it is certainly surmountable.