Choosing Cardiology as a speciality

[gc1983]

hi,

Im considering my career paths as im about to enter the clinical part of my med course..and ive at this stage narrowed it down to gastroenterology and cardiology....basically Internal medicine...Can anyone give me any advice on how cardiology is as a speciality-ive heard all the stuff that 'its practically impossible to get a good job' and its 'very competitive field' which i understand..but my belief is that if im good enough, i will get any job i apply for...

any info would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

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[AJM]

It's not that cardiology is tough to find a job in, it's just very competitive to get into a fellowship training program. (ie, you have to be accepted first). The job market for cardiologists after fellowship is excellent, especially since literally everyone and their mother needs a cardiologist these days.

 

[gc1983]

hi,

thanks for the info..Im gonna be doing a semi observership this ummer in connecticut with a contact who is a neurologist..im treating it as a first site of the american healthcare system,-im not really interested in neurology. What steps what do u recommend to decide my IM speciality? Can i contact the boards for advice etc...im thinking of doing some shadowing in my uni and attending rounds...???

thanks.

 

[AJM]

hi,

thanks for the info..Im gonna be doing a semi observership this ummer in connecticut with a contact who is a neurologist..im treating it as a first site of the american healthcare system,-im not really interested in neurology. What steps what do u recommend to decide my IM speciality? Can i contact the boards for advice etc...im thinking of doing some shadowing in my uni and attending rounds...???

thanks.

Considering that you haven't even started clinical rotations yet, I think it may be premature to try to decide which IM subspecialty you want to do. If, after trying out several rotations, you decide that you are interested in IM and are considering multiple IM subspecialties, that's more than enough for now. You can apply for IM residency and then decide on your subspecialty later (ie while in residency) once you've gained more experience with the different fields. Many if not most people who go on to fellowship didn't decide on their subspecialty until they were well into their residency.

 

[shs]

From your post, you seem to be based in the UK....rather than worry too much about which subspecialty to pursue, it would be wiser, at this time, especially since your query is in reference to the American market, to examine the similarities and differences in post-graduate higher specialist training in the US and UK, how it is structured in each of the countries, the different stages that you would have to go through in order to reach the endpoint that you are interested in, subsequent job and career prospects, etc.