Medical Specialities for a Work-Life Balance – Best and Worst

Dermatology

Dermatology is famous for its flexible work-life balance and fantastic pay. While other specialities might have to sacrifice their Mercedes to spend more time at home, that certainly isn’t the case for dermatologists.

Dermatologists can work as little or as much as they want and can demand high paying private customers that pay big bucks for high-quality skincare.

It is also the 9th happiest speciality outside of work.

56% of dermatologist would agree that they are happy outside of work according to the Medscape 2020 report (see below for a graph).

Unfortunately, it is incredibly competitive, with a large number of people applying for the job every year.

In fact, dermatology is the most competitive speciality in the whole of the US (if you look at which speciality requires the highest USMLE Step 1 scores).

Another thing to consider is that is can also take a lot of training.

In the UK, you need to complete three years of Internal Medicine Training (formally Core Medical Training) and then apply for your dermatology training. It could take even longer depending on the country you live in.

Therefore, think carefully about if it is worth all that stress and effort before deciding on dermatology as a career path.

Dermatology Summary

General Practice (Family Medicine)

General practice has a great reputation for being flexible with the ability to easily work part-time. The training is often much less than other specialities and can allow you to become a consultant/attending much quicker than your colleagues.

In terms of statistics though, it a mixed bag. The Medscape 2020 report put Family Medicine at one of the lowest specialities for happiness outside of work.

Only 50% agreed that they were happy outside of work, putting it 7 places above bottom-of-the-pile Neurology.

Here are some articles you can check out if you want to learn more about becoming a GP:

• MDU Student Notes – Why become a GP?
• GP Online – Why I decided on a career in general practice

GP (Family Medicine) Summary

Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology is a fantastic speciality for those unsure whether to do medicine or surgery; ophthalmology has both.

Because of this, it is a 7-year training program in the UK. However, once your 7 years is up, the journey isn’t over.

That’s because not only is ophthalmology extremely competitive to get into, but it is difficult to find consultant/attending posts within it as well (depending on where you live).

If you are trying to go for Moorfields, a world-renowned eye hospital in London, then you might even have to do a PhD before it’s all up.

Being an eye doctor has its upsides though.

Eye emergencies are rare and it is unlikely you will ever have to work many night shifts.

Surgeries can be over within an hour, so you can get that hands-on experience you love while sitting comfortably on a chair.

It is also the third-highest in terms of self-esteem according to the 2019 Medscape Report, only being beaten by plastic surgery and urology.

So it might be a long and bumpy ride to get to the top, but once you are there, the views are pretty good.

Ophthalmology Summary

Radiology

Radiology is great for one big reason: you don’t even need to be in the hospital to work. You could be in your PJs at home while earning the same as colleagues who have to go into hospital.

This is probably going to get even more common considering how good an excuse Coronavirus is to for people to stay at home.

In the UK, they even provide high tech monitors and super-fast internet for consultant radiologists that wish to work from home, all paid for by the NHS. A pretty good deal if you ask me!

Not only this but you can perform minor surgeries if you want to.

Radiology has as broad enough range of sub-specialities that you could easily find things that you enjoy.

However, it radiologists don’t feel they get the respect they deserve by patients, especially as they are never directly involved in their bedside care. Although, they do get a lot of respect by doctors considering the number of X-rays/MRIs/CT scans that take place in the hospital every day.

It can also be draining on the eyes, as you will have to be looking at a screen for 7+ hours a day while always giving an accurate diagnosis.

Radiology Summary

Psychiatry

Psychiatry is another speciality that is known for being chill. You are given plenty of time to talk with each patient, something that is unique to psychiatry.

Although the patients can be mentally challenged and be emotionally draining to deal with, the hours are good and there is a large amount of flexibility in the way you want to work.

Psychiatry Summary

Ears, Nose and Throat (Otolaryngology)

If you would rather be in a surgical speciality but want to stay away from the classic nightmares like cardiothoracic surgery, then ENT is the way to go (although orthopaedics is a fantastic choice that has good hours and excellent pay – see the graph below).

There are very few emergency cases with a large number of outpatient consultations. This results in good flexibility and hardly any night shifts.

However, it is a competitive speciality to get into, so you should start thinking about it early to stand a chance of getting in.

ENT Summary

Plastic Surgery

One of the most competitive and highly sought after specialities in the world, plastic surgery is known to be a brilliant balance of pay and work.

Although the training can be rigorous and the application process draining, once you get through the doors and can practice on your own two feet it is truly a wonderful feeling.

If you want to know more from a plastic surgeon who truly loves their job, I suggest checking out this article written by Dr Foad Nahai.

Plastic Surgery Summary