As a medical student, it is only normal to be wondering about which specialty you should choose which may prove to be beneficial for your future as a medical doctor. There are many aspects that one should consider while choosing a field to specialize in such as the working hours, salary, work-life balance etc. Most importantly it is vital that you choose a field that you find interesting and are passionate about.
Let us shed some light on why dermatology is one of the best fields to specialize in, while keeping all of the aforementioned aspects in mind, in hopes of making this decision easier for you.
What is dermatology?
Dermatology is a specialty of medicine which deals with skin diseases. It also deals with hair, nails and cosmetic issues. Dermatology includes medicine as well as minor surgical procedures. It is one of the most competitive and highly paid specialties. This is why most medical students nowadays are so inclined towards choosing dermatology as a specialty after completing their MBBS/MD.
Skin is the largest organ of the body and also one of the most important. Sometimes, internal health conditions may also produce symptoms on the skin which can give a clue and help in diagnosing that specific condition.
Dermatologists diagnose and treat skin conditions in about all of the age groups, from infants to older people.
Is dermatology better than other specialties?
Let us list down some benefits for choosing this field and let you come up with an opinion of your own.
- It has both medical and surgical aspects. This makes it so much easier for doctors who are interested in both. You would not have to be limited to either one of the two.
- It pays really well.
- It does not require a lot of working hours. This allows you to have a perfect work-life balance without overworking yourself or neglecting your family.
- According to research, dermatologists are one of the most satisfied medical doctors because they are paid well, have a perfect work-life balance, and are not overworked.
- Patients are usually diagnosed and treated in an outpatient setting. Dermatologists do not have to be on call all the time nor do they have to deal with emergencies as skin conditions usually do not present in the ER.
- There is an increased demand for dermatologists around the world. There are a number of cosmetic procedures which improve the outer appearance of the skin and help them feel better about themselves. This is why more and more people are opting for these procedures.
- The cosmetic procedures are usually not covered by insurance so only people who are willing to pay in full opt for them.
- Skin conditions not only affect a person physically but also take a toll on their mental health as it makes them conscious about their appearance. Now wouldn’t it be great if you are the one helping them improve their self-esteem?
- Dermatology offers a very fast paced, high volume clinical setting. If this is something that excites you, then go for it!
Dermatology has other subspecialties as well. You can choose general dermatology and practice that or if you want to further expand your knowledge and expertise in one specific area, then you can opt for the one of the following subspecialties:
- Dermatopathology
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Mohs Surgery
- Cosmetic Dermatology
Learn more about these subspecialties in detail.
Another point worth mentioning here is that dermatologists and estheticians are different. A dermatologist is a medical doctor who is trained to diagnose, treat and prescribe medication to maintain healthy skin. On the other hand an esthetician is not a medical doctor but a trained skin care professional who can help you with your skin’s outer appearance.
The bottom line
Dermatology is a specialty of medicine and like other specialties, it requires years of studying and training. Due to the high demand of dermatologists, it is also one of the most competitive specialties. Dermatologists are paid well, do not have to put in a lot of working hours, and have a great work-life balance.
We have listed down all the reasons as to why one should choose to become a dermatologist but again, it is important to pick a specialty that you find interesting and think would be more fruitful in the long run.
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