The Student Room Group

Are you a medicine person or a surgery person? Which specialty?

Do you think you'll be more interested in a medical specialty or a surgical specialty (or other)? Why?

Or a more general question: which specialty are you most interested in at the moment and why?

(Don't worry about the it's-too-early-to-decide stuff... everyone knows that and it isn't an interview!)

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1
More interested in medical specialties like cardiology and GP at the moment. Seems like you'd have more interaction with patients in medicine than surgery. Also not sure if I will be able to perform surgeries in the first place. 'Cutting' someone up, even to benefit the patient, seems antagonistic to human nature.
Yes medicine definitely, not sure what though.
Medicine.
I think I'd prefer my patients awake, although what surgeons do is amazing.

At the moment, I am particularly interested in the heart. When I did work experience, my consultant did ward rounds, saw outpatients etc. but he also did things like pacemaker implantation, angioplasties, stenting etc. Perhaps that'd be the best of both worlds? :p:
Original post by TattyBoJangles

Original post by TattyBoJangles
When I did work experience, my consultant did ward rounds, saw outpatients etc. but he also did things like pacemaker implantation, angioplasties, stenting etc. Perhaps that'd be the best of both worlds? :p:


You realise most (if not all) surgeons do ward rounds and outpatient clinics?
Original post by xXxBaby-BooxXx
You realise most (if not all) surgeons do ward rounds and outpatient clinics?


Well yes, but I'd imagine cardiac surgery takes a lot longer than the half an hour procedures I saw.
Reply 6
Basically, ACCS

Acute medicine
Anaesthetics/Critical Care
Emergency Medicine
Reply 7
Maybe Paediatrics, but that's probably because I have little experience of most things. I help at a lot of children's groups and enjoy spending time with children. Although I'm sure over the course of med school/foundation years I will change my mind a trillion times.
I couldn't say either way at the moment, but as I've said before, ACCS tickles my current fancy.
No idea, ask again in 4 years or so when I've actually experience a bit more of the profession :dontknow:
Original post by TattyBoJangles
Medicine.
I think I'd prefer my patients awake, although what surgeons do is amazing.

At the moment, I am particularly interested in the heart. When I did work experience, my consultant did ward rounds, saw outpatients etc. but he also did things like pacemaker implantation, angioplasties, stenting etc. Perhaps that'd be the best of both worlds? :p:


Wow where did you get the opportunity to be with a consultant? Ive been trying but no chance :frown:
Reply 11
Original post by digitalis
Basically, ACCS

Acute medicine
Anaesthetics/Critical Care
Emergency Medicine


Original post by GodspeedGehenna
I couldn't say either way at the moment, but as I've said before, ACCS tickles my current fancy.


What is ACCS? Is it a speciality in itself, or is it something you do after foundation years to specialise in Emergency Medicine?
Medical. Maybe paeds, maybe anaesthetics, maybe something like cardiology....who knows.

Saying that, I'll probably end up cutting people open now!
Original post by vertigo.0012
Medical. Maybe paeds, maybe anaesthetics, maybe something like cardiology....who knows.

Saying that, I'll probably end up cutting people open now!


Let's all hope you're referring to being a surgeon there :tongue:
Original post by Iaso
What is ACCS? Is it a speciality in itself, or is it something you do after foundation years to specialise in Emergency Medicine?


Acute Care Common Stem. It is a type of junior postgraduate training route where you get a broad experience in acute medical specialities before deciding whether you want to go on to do straight gas, acute medicine or emergency medicine.
Original post by Arab_Empress
Wow where did you get the opportunity to be with a consultant? Ive been trying but no chance :frown:


Papworth (: If you live anywhere near Cambridge, give it a shot there.

I'm also shadowing a consultant cardiac surgeon up in Birmingham at the end of August. I only got that placement because my dad knows a friend of the surgeon's sister - it's an obscure connection, but meant I got his email address and could contact him directly.
Reply 16
Original post by angelscape
More interested in medical specialties like cardiology and GP at the moment. Seems like you'd have more interaction with patients in medicine than surgery. Also not sure if I will be able to perform surgeries in the first place. 'Cutting' someone up, even to benefit the patient, seems antagonistic to human nature.


When I shadowed a surgical team, half the day was spent on rounds and doing procedures with the patient being awake. They spent the other half doing operations in theatre. I was surprised by how much patient contact they got, but I guess it largely depends on your specialty or seniority? :smile:

Though I have no idea which I'd like to do yet...got to get accepted on a course first! :tongue:
Reply 17
:ottid:

Original post by Joseppea
When I shadowed a surgical team, half the day was spent on rounds and doing procedures with the patient being awake. They spent the other half doing operations in theatre. I was surprised by how much patient contact they got, but I guess it largely depends on your specialty or seniority? :smile:

Though I have no idea which I'd like to do yet...got to get accepted on a course first! :tongue:
surgeon appeals to me the most..but I honestly cannot comment until I have experienced both sides
I like the look of surgery more, but I don't know anywhere near enough to make an informed comment.

Quick Reply