The Next Step: How to Choose the Right Path after Medical School

Medical Resources – When you are choosing a particular medical field, it is important to have the right resources to keep you up to date with the latest advances in clinical medicine. General resources can be found in a variety of places: The National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health and DoctorCPR are two examples of resources that are very useful for medical professionals. You need to explore not only where medical specialties are headed in terms of research and innovation, but you also need to be aware of where they are headed in terms of opportunities for employment, salary trends, and quality of life factors such as burnout rates for doctors in the field.

Patient Population – Think about what type of patient you would prefer to interact with long term. Are you gifted with the elderly, or are you a natural with children and teens? Is a patient relationship important to you, or would you prefer a medical job with less human interaction? A career as a surgeon, pathologist, or radiologist might be more suitable for someone less concerned with direct patient care. Alternatively, working as an oncologist or psychiatrist might be more fulfilling for someone who treasures the deep, interpersonal connections with patients.