Specialist Areas Within Medicine
Medicine is a broad field and encompasses numerous disciplines and subjects. Learn more about the different kinds of medical specializations in this blog.
Healthcare is an important part of society and the current pandemic has increased the need for excellent professionals. The field of medicine has many specialties and subspecialties and each comes with its own curriculum and methods of practice. Medical professionals spend years training and mastering their craft before they can progress in their chosen field. There are numerous areas of specialization in medicine and during their medical education, students, as part of their academic training, choose elective clinical specialties based on their interest. It’s important to consider each specialty and its application to furthering opportunities in medicine before selecting clinical specialties. Specialization in medicine is becoming more niched, each with particular competencies and applications. Read on to gain an insight into some popular niche areas.
Allergy and immunology
Allergy and immunology are important fields of medicine as they are common issues with more than 50 million Americans battling allergies each year, making this the sixth most common chronic illness. An allergy and immunology specialist has to deal with adult and pediatric patients and provide them relief from allergies, respiratory and immune system-related problems. Their exceptional work involves diagnosis, research and education. These specialists must help patients experiencing commonly persistent problems such as food allergies, immune deficiencies and lung diseases. According to Salary.com, the average earnings of an allergy/immunology physician in the US ranges between $228,055 and $297,378.
Anesthesia
Anesthesiology is among some of the most well-known branches of medicine and most of us associate it with operative procedures. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 230 million major surgeries take place each year under anesthesia. The work of an anesthesiologist covers other aspects of the medical industry such as labor wards, chronic pain clinics, pediatric anesthesiology, etc. where patients need immediate relief from acute pain. Given its high complication rate, anesthesia has to be given tactfully, and therefore, specialists have to be trained in safe anesthesia practices in all surgical subspecialties. Critical skills such as staying calm in stressful situations is very important for an anesthesiologist as they have to work in tricky and demanding situations. An anesthesiologist’s salary in the US typically falls between $337,600 and $441,800, according to Salary.com.
Emergency medicine
True to its title, emergency medicine is among healthcare niches where physicians must provide care in accident and emergency situations. Such departments usually have a team of consultants whose specialties within areas of medicine ranges from pediatric emergencies, medical emergencies or other injuries. Specialists in this field help patients in a pre-hospital setting and the emergency department. Other than possessing academic qualifications, you must be dynamic, agile and a good team player for this specific field. As a physician in the emergency room, you can expect a salary in the range of $245,929 to $337,997*.
Histopathology
Histopathology refers to the study of cells and tissues using advanced laboratory techniques to better understand clinical issues. It’s a popular type of medical practice which entails detailed studies and diagnosis. Based on reports prepared by pathologists, doctors can prescribe effective treatment to patients. Biopsies, cancer screenings and post-mortems all fall under Histopathology. The average annual salary in this field in the US is $277,882*.
Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Obstetricians and gynecologists (OB/GYN) are featured among the list of medical careers that are well known to many. This is a broad specialty that consists of surgical (gynecologic oncology) and medical treatments (maternal medicine). This area of specialization involves research in a number of streams including infertility and stem cell research. Other than possessing medical qualifications, you must also display empathy and have the ability to reassure patients, something that’s vital for all practicing professionals. According to Salary.com, the average earnings of a gynecologist in the United States is $287,000 annually.
Diagnostic radiology
Diagnostic radiology is also listed among popular healthcare niches. Radiologists diagnose illnesses using x-rays, radioactive substances, ultrasounds or magnetic resonance images (MRIs). A career in this field has subspecialties such as cardiothoracic radiology, chest radiology, emergency radiology, gastrointestinal radiology, etc. A diagnostic radiologist can earn about $277,882* annually in the US.
If you are an aspiring MD, there is ample opportunity to explore alternatives in medicine. It isn’t unusual for medical students to shift focus from specialization to being more of a generalist and vice-versa. It is important to be sure that the medical school you choose will offer you the opportunities to explore these ambitions with purposeful guidance from faculty.
A great school to check out is St. Matthew’s University. Its grads practice in a variety of specialties and primary care as well. The faculty is excellent and you will learn in state-of-the-art facilities with an affordable tutition structure. The university has a strong record of success, with students having an excellent first-time pass rate on the USMLE Step 1 exam. Click on the links above to start your journey to success in the medical field today.
*Salary information has been taken from Salary.com