The 5 BEST MEDICAL SPECIALTIES as a Doctor? // EROAD Specialties EXPLAINED

[@Cello-MD]

Great job on the video. As someone who just matched to a Canadian ophthalmology residency program three weeks ago, I want to wish everyone best of luck in the next application cycle. 2 tips: if you really want something, you will eventually get it. It's just a matter of time (I was a dentist before, and decided to do medical school after dentistry). Also, some of you might never know what you really want to do until very last minute, and it's okay. In my case, I always thought that I wanted to do OMFS, until when I encountered ophtho, and then I had to decline the OMFS offer for ophtho. Best of luck to all of you!

[@cardiacmyxoma4073]

Hey! I’d love to ask you a few questions about your transition from dent to med. I’m applying to dent this cycle but true dream is to go to med school. Do you have an email?

[@nxtgenmd]

Hey Kevin, first off congrats on the match :D especially after a less than ideal match cycle given COVID, you guys all killed it 💪 Also, thanks so much for positivity and tips. I would definitely agree with them both. Enjoy your final few months in med and then good luck with residency!

[@moodmeditation4458]

I'm a dentist still trying and getting myself ready for OMFS, I really love to be.

[@Cello-MD]

@@moodmeditation4458 Yeah OMFS is an amazing dental specialty. It was an extremely difficult decision for me to decline OMFS offer for ophthalmology. I really miss extracting wisdom teeth and draining abscesses in my dental practice. What can I say...we can't have everything in life! Best of luck to you.

[@laurelhunter2567]

First time hearing of the EROAD legend!!

[@anahatjuneja4850]

Ooh love the new light box!

[@nxtgenmd]

Me too :D Nikki's been giving me "aesthetic tips" 😂

[@ajsauch]

Just browsing as I begin Medical School in August ! Dr. Paul Kalanithi’s When Breath Becomes Air inspired me to go into medicine!!! Sitting on my desk as well. Great read!!

[@nxtgenmd]

Congrats on getting the acceptance Anthony 🔥💪 I always recommend that book to new medical students - I got it as a gift and it really is great. All the best of luck and I hope that you enjoy the program :)

[@michaelwu3994]

Comprehensive and exciting video as usual bro! Always stoked to see your videos, and best of luck preparing for residency matching soon!

[@nxtgenmd]

Thank you bro :D I can't wait to show you guys the process and I'm hoping that interviews get to be in person this year as well!

[@joeyo6209]

Nice video. You should also mention that for many specialties in Canada that it is important to consider the prospects in terms of future job market. FM is great that you can work basically anywhere in many different settings, but the more specialized you are the more geographically limited you become in terms of job options. For surgical specialties in particular time OR time can be difficult to get immediately out of residency. Ophtho is nice in that you can have a non-surgical practice and thats fine if thats what you want to do, but most residents want to operate so its something to consider. You should also consider that ophtho bills so high because their overhead is one of the highest at 40-60%, as is seen in the graphic you showed, whereas the other specialties have either 0 overhead because they are hospital based (Radiology, EM, Anesthesiology), or have minimal overhead. I think when you consider this in addition to what you mentioned all of these specialties become almost equivalent and personal values take more priority (which they should anyway). When deciding specialties its important to look at the big picture and consider these nuances and how they fit into what you want your life to be. Burnout often happens when there is a mismatch between what someone expects and what is actually reality.

[@nxtgenmd]

Great points 🤙 In particular, your mention of limited OR time for new surgeons is something I heard from a few people this last month while I was on my surgery rotation. Personal values are the biggest factor to consider when choosing a specialty.

[@ninjaturtleacademy]

Always love your videos!!

[@nxtgenmd]

Thanks Shivam :D

[@yasmindini8330]

I loved this video! Can you please do one on 1) how to study 2) what resources to use to study at Mac med?

[@nxtgenmd]

A study video of some sorts is definitely over due🤙 I'll put it together after I'm done with surgery🔥

[@budtalks]

Great video! Now we just need the residency video

[@nxtgenmd]

Thanks buddy :D - remind me again, which video exactly? I have a big list of outstanding videos but I can't remember which one specifically

[@budtalks]

@@nxtgenmd I remember you said you would make a video explaining the residency application process in Canada. that’s what I was referring to sorry if it wasn’t clear

[@nxtgenmd]

@@budtalks No worries my friend :D that one is definitely coming 🤙

[@budtalks]

@@nxtgenmd good thing I’ve got notifications on then because I will definitely be waiting for that one!

[@jeanetteraichel8299]

I have a light box too. Make your own sayings for the light box with clear overhead sheets. Use Word or Publisher and 90-125 Size font. Use one of the provided letters to mark the size and then cut it.....I've got "Rona be gone!" On mine I wish that I had been born smart. Your choices are so much better than what an average intelligence person has /had. I'll always struggle to make ends meet, even with a two year records management diploma

[@nxtgenmd]

Hey Jeanette, that's a great idea for the light box :O never would have thought of that! My gf just got me it. so I'll do some experimenting once I get some time off. I understand that it's a difficult time for many people right now unfortunately 😪 while I'm definitely not the right person to give advice regarding making money or career changes at this point, I am a big fan of low cost entrepreneurial endeavours like starting a KZbin channel about something that you're passionate about. Or even other "side hustles" that can generate a second income stream. I really like the podcast by Dave Ramsey that you can find on KZbin if you're ever interested as well 🔥 With KZbin or other small businesses specifically, the money isn't the best at first or even for me now, but we all start small I guess and aim to go just a bit further than where we started off from. Best of luck with everything :)

[@smellypatel5272]

Hey! Can you please expand on your thoughts on derm? I'm an M1 interested in derm but researching more about it, I'm concerned for its future. Namely, the subspecialty of mohs and cosmetic surgery, which is considered the most profitable, will likely get invaded by midlevels who will cut into your business/the amount of patients you get. I also imagine that the way RVUs are billed may be changed in the future, making it not as profitable. Do you mind weighing in here? I'm stressed out since I was considering this as my main focus but now the future seems bleak. Thanks

[@domingosprudencio3498]

In Brazil, an avarage specialty like pychiatry has always at least 20 people for only one spot. Some more competitive like neurosurgery is 60 people for only one spot. I think only family medicine has a rate of 2 people for 1 spot, like Ophthalmology has in Canada. Unfortunaltely there are very few residency spots in Brazil.

[@nxtgenmd]

Sorry to hear that Domingos. One of the reasons why I've heard people say that getting into medical school in Canada is so competitive is so that we can avoid situations like that with residency matching. Best of luck with everything!

[@alexlee3906]

Can you explain how matching works? Is it like getting an interview? Does it cross Canada?

[@nxtgenmd]

I will have an entire video out on matching and CaRMS in the next few months🤙 In the meantime, if you want a quick overview, watch the first half of this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4Ktp3xjfsqUgJY

[@blueberryst20]

Oh, I have a question about applying to Mac in third year. Since everything is online, I don't think I'll be able to get a reference letter from any of my profs. I think the best I could get is from two highschool teachers and a work supervisor for swimming. Would that be okay? Or should I just wait till I finish my undergrad to get better letters

[@nxtgenmd]

Hey John :) I would highly recommend against using high school teachers for references for med. While OMSAS doesn't say that you can't do it, truthfully it would raise a few red flags if I was ever the person on the other side reading everyone's applications. Most students will use university profs for the academic reference and by standing out for a negative reason, you'd be taking a risk. I'd reach out to a few of your previous profs via email if you want to apply this year and explain the situation. I'm not saying that it's impossible for you to be accepted with a high school teacher as a reference, only that most people would consider this to be not the best idea. Best of luck :D

[@blueberryst20]

@@nxtgenmd Thanks for the advice! Basically in my first year, the classs sizes were super big and I couldn't really get much interaction with any of my profs. Then, in my second year, it was all online, so again not much interaction there as well, so I don't think my profs could write a genuine reference letter. With that said, should I even apply this year? Or would that be a waste of time?

[@blueberryst20]

Also, I'd only be using my highschool teachers for my solely McMaster application because I believe they don't weight them as heavily as other schools

[@imanmoradi7436]

What do you think of Oncology?

[@nxtgenmd]

Amazing specialty, very important to patients, but physically and mentally draining for the doctors. There are some days when you really need to be the kind of person who can easily separate their work life from their outside of work life - but your patients (usually) appreciate you very much. That's what Ive heard and seen anyways :)

[@chrislifts2981]

My uncle does emerg around where you are

[@chrislifts2981]

He loves it

[@nxtgenmd]

That's awesome :D There's a good chance that I've run into him at some point then 🔥

[@TheMrSSS]

Can't you just work fewer hours and then get less pay if you want a better work-life balance?

[@nxtgenmd]

Depends on the specialty and where you practice. Many positions for specialties will come with a "minimum hours worked" stipulation when you are hired. From the hospitals standpoint, they would rather hire 1 surgeon who can work "typical" surgeon hours and see X number of patients than 3 surgeons who want to work "lifestyle hours" and see the same number of patients as 1 other surgeon would have. Other specialties like family medicine for example, will allow for the flexibility you described 🤙

[@samidjabi828]

question on an other subject please, do u have a book(s) to recommend for preparing for the MMI thanks in advance

[@cardiacmyxoma4073]

You can’t prepare for interviews by reading books

[@samidjabi828]

@@cardiacmyxoma4073 what do u recommend ?

[@nxtgenmd]

Hey Sami I would disagree with the statement "You can’t prepare for interviews by reading books." For the MMI specifically, I always recommend reading at least a few chapters from the book "doing right" to introduce you to the concept of ethical dilemmas in medicine. I have a few videos on the MMI on the channel as well, but best of luck :D

[@samidjabi828]

@@nxtgenmd thanks for the help , much appreciated

[@michocolll]

wow work life balance is definitely important!

[@nxtgenmd]

Soooo important :D

[@sherrydawson6253]

What happens if u can't get in to the 1 u want? 🤔u really need to know what u want ahead. Love your videos u will be great wherever u end up!

[@nxtgenmd]

Most people apply to at least 2 different specialties at a variety of different schools. That way if you don't get your first choice, you still have a back up :) Fun fact, but in Canada, the residency match is a non-revokable decision (with some exceptions and the possibility to rematch in some cases). What this means is that in most cases, if you match to a program, then that's where you're going in July no questions asked! And thank you so much for the support :D have a good week!

[@sherrydawson6253]

@@nxtgenmd oh my goodness!

[@liv0003]

@@nxtgenmd are you able to "switch" specialty during residency? Or are you forced to stay with your first choice, finish residency and pursue this career without being able to pursue another specialty if you change your mind?

[@vidushannuwanga9567]

Hey this is Vidushan.. you remember me? 😄 there's no other choice for me. One and only choice is Surgery .

[@nxtgenmd]

Hey Vidushan :D long time no see buddy! Surgery is awesome but the lifestyle is very difficult (I'm on my surgery rotation right now). It all depends on personal preference 💪

[@vidushannuwanga9567]

@@nxtgenmd yeah I know.but I'm really into surgery . Fixing people make me happy :D..There's a lot more to learn from you. Thank you for keep uploading videos.

[@shortsweetwitty7998]

What about psychiatry

[@nxtgenmd]

Great specialty depending on your own interests. Its not often mentioned as one of the "lifestyle specialties," although many psychiatrists will tell you that maybe it should be 😅 In comparison however, its not very competitive (we need more of them) and the while the pay sure does not break the top 10 for specialties, it's more than most other non-medical professions in Canada

[@joshbritton]

Well well well maybe ophthalmology is the way to go haha

[@nxtgenmd]

LOL *I declare that I have not accepted any money from the Ophthalmologist society of Canada for this 9 minute endorsement of the profession* 😂

[@XtinaP123]

Emergency Medicine! You won’t regret it.

[@nxtgenmd]

💪💪💪

[@Shazz_666]

Orthopedic surgery?

[@nxtgenmd]

Traditionally not viewed as a "lifestyle specialty" in canada. Depends on your practice, but the orthopaedic surgeon that I worked with worked very long hours. But he enjoyed it anyways🤙

[@claytonmcdonald8603]

149th

[@nxtgenmd]

LOL

[@nancypalumbo9660]

This video speaks to ego, privilege and greed in choosing a medical profession. It's very shallow and for a medical student portrays a poor sense of ethics and values in making decisions about residency. I think some humility and reflection is needed. Your video in the middle of the video says it all. I suggest everyone watching this video watch the movie Patch Adams or speak to those wonderful people who work for Doctors without Borders.

[@nxtgenmd]

Hi Nancy, I’m sorry you feel that way. My video was meant to break down and explain a popular medical acronym (EROAD) to students who were uninformed. It provides up to date sources and explanations that many students will only get from mentoring or prep companies that charge fees. Working on a medical student budget, I’m sure that you can appreciate that paying my editor requires funds so that I can pursue my studies and continue to educate others at the same time. I don’t charge students for help, that is why my sponsors are carefully screened and hand selected (also, every company I’ve ever had mentioned in a video offered to provide a free trial for students and a discount). I’m a big fan of Dr. Patch Adam’s and the late Robin Williams - I don’t think that my explanation of a topic that was routinely asked of me by students requires a reflection on humility, particularly as I have said time and again that students should choose a specialty based on intrinsic rather than extrinsic factors (like from the end of this video.) You are welcome to your opinion, but I’m hoping we can have a respectful disagreement. Have a great day :)

[@xplicitgoofy1015]

Stop being such a Karen this is gosh dang Canada you know how crazy they are in Canada when it comes to taxes and home prices