How To Choose Branch After MBBS? Detailed explanation with relevant factors

How to Choose a medical Branch?

Most of us might have thought about it once at least. We all use to about a suitable specialty. A specialty that will be good for us. But in the end, what happened. As we have a lot of options available we get confused. Studies have proven that a confused mind cannot make a solid decision. The same happens to us.

We think about specialties for us after MBBS. But then we get a lot of options. These options make us more puzzled. Then, in that condition, we seek someone who can advise us. Sometimes the advice is genuine and helpful but sometimes not.

So in this article, I discussed some factors that one should consider to choose a residency for himself/herself.

Passion  

First thing first, if you are passionate about any branch then don’t think much. There is nothing more than passion. The thing that matters at the end of the day is your satisfaction. But wait, what does that passion mean? Passion is not that you like to read books on that subject. Passion means that you should like that subject in practice.

This factor far outweighs other factors. But the truth is that it does not apply to all of us. There are a few students who are passionate about a specific branch.

Before going further I want you to ask some questions to yourself. This will help you to have a base to think further.

1. How much time will I have for me and my family?
2. Will I be burned out and miserable or love what I will be doing?
3. Will I do that Job for my whole life?
4. How much money will I make?

The answers to these questions will make your work easy.

A systematic approach to choose a specialty

What are your areas of scientific and clinical interest?

It’s the very first step to go for a branch. Find out which subject you like the most. For that, the easy way is just to ask yourself which subject you prefer to study any other subject.

• If you like Pharmacology and physiology then you can go for Anesthesia or internal medicine.
• If you like anatomy then surely Surgery is the best.
• If you are more curious about the brain the Neurology or Psychiatry

Relationships, Interactions, and Level of patient contact

If you are a guy with good communication skills and more of an extrovert type then medical branches are for you. Branches like Internal medicine, Pediatrics, Psychiatry and Family Medicine will suits you the best. These branches will let you make long term relations with your patients.

But you are more of an introvert type and don’t like a lot of patient interaction then there are branches like radiology. In branches like radiology, pathology you are not directly related to patient care.

But if you are extrovert up to an extent and like a short relationship with patients then you should surgical branches. Branches like General Surgery, Plastic surgery, Orthopedics will be best. These branches involve brief and efficient patient interaction

There is a midway also branches like Urology, Dermatology, OBGYN which have both surgical and medical work. So if you want to be a physician and a surgeon as well then you can opt for them. But you will be considered either pf one out of them.

Work-Life balance

You wanted to be a doctor because you wanted a good life. Don’t forget that. If you cannot enjoy your life and your work then everything is waste. Never let your professional life to interfere with your personal life. Enjoy your life and let yourself do your job with as ease. Consider a branch that has fewer burnouts. That allows you to have a quality life.

Like surgical braches have fewer burnout rates. But on the other hand, the surgical branches are more challenging.

Burnout rates of Different Branches (source:- Medscape 2019 national physician Burnout, depression, and suicide Report)

Source: - Medscape

 

Feasibility

Will you do that job for your whole life? We have discussed many factors. I think till now you may have a clear vision of your branch. But think about it as well. You have to do it forever. If you will not be happy then it will be very difficult for you to carry on with your job. Once a wise man said, “ Make your hobby your job, then people will pay you for your hobby”. So it’s totally up to you if you will be happy or not.

Money

The factor that most of the students consider in the first place is money. In my opinion, money should not be a primary or a secondary factor to choose a branch. Compensation differences between specialties will be far less important than other factors. It’s a very reductionist approach. We should indeed be rewarded for our hard work. But money is an aspect of life but not life itself. There are many confounding factors if someone is considering money as a primary factor. One should consider these confounding factors too.

Money Time Ratio

When it comes to money with time it becomes more important than money alone. The money time ratio is a major factor. MBBS students (in the majority) always keep on thinking about money alone. You should also think about the time too. In the beginning, we don’t consider family time but later on, we realize its importance A doctor who earns 2 Lakhs/month and works 8 hours a day is much better than a doctor working 12houra a day for 3 lakhs/month. A proper balance between time and money should be needed. So never consider money alone.

     

Tertiary consideration

In the end, I would like to add a few points. There are the less important point but significant

1. Assess your skill: - Make yourself aware of your skills. Work on yourself and know that what skill you are lacking. Medical branches require a skill. identify your skill and accordingly choose a medical branch. If you want a specific branch and you think you lack skills for that branch then develop them. Find someone expert in that field and try to learn things.
2. Terminal branches Vs Super-Specializations: - People who wish to settle down early prefer terminal branches. But most of the students usually choose a branch that has its super specialty course also. So if you have a target to settle down as soon as possible then terminal branches like orthopedic are good.  
3. Violence against Doctors: - We use to get news about violence against doctors. Many students don’t consider some branches because of this fear. Ye,s it’s a serious issue in our country. But think for a while, we cannot clap by one hand. The root problem here is the doctor’s communication skills. Doctors with branches like Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Pediatrics are more prone to violence. But you can avoid that thing with your god communication skills. You will not get every time a violent patient. Even I should say I patients or his relatives are never violent to you until you made them do so.
4. Opportunity to go abroad: - if you guys are planning to go abroad then don’t think about any branch much. Especially if you have plans for USMLE. You are not free to choose any branch of your choice. You will have limited options there like Internal medicine, but no surgical branches. So for that, I suggest to not to choose PG in India if you want to settle down there.

 

Conclusion

Choosing your residency might be a difficult task. We have a lot of options available which confuses us. Some are passionate about a specific branch. Those who are sure about a branch need not worry much. But the problem comes when we are uncertain and it becomes very hard when we get confused with many options available. A confused mind cannot make a solid decision. So I tried to make this process a little bit easier for you guys.

We started with 4 basic questions before going it the article.

1. How much time will I have for me and my family?
2. Will I be burned out and miserable or love what I will be doing?
3. Will I do that Job for my whole life?
4. How much money will I make?

Here I gave more, importance to time and quality of life. I put money question last because it is just an aspect of life, not life itself. We discussed many points in the article and I have added some tertiary points too. Those points are less considered but sometimes affect the decisions.

Sometimes we are not interested in medical practice after MBBS. I know that we get into MBBS because we all want to be a doctor. But sometimes our destiny wants something else. Don't worry about that you can read my article on Career Options After MBBS. You may find it useful too...