KEVIN: There’s an [operation] For That

We M2s are well into our rotation schedule for the year. Slowly but surely, we are eliminating career choices and gravitating toward others. I’m halfway through general surgery right now, and while I appreciate the work and am impressed by a surgeon’s work ethic, I’m not sure if I belong here. The service has been sending me hints:

1. Clinic is more fun than the OR
2. My resident said that the best advice from her residency advisor was to avoid surgery, unless she wanted to marry it and have hella babies with it
3. My fellow admitted that he couldn’t figure out how to get to Kroger without asking his wife
4. I got bile in my eye…during a laparoscopic operation.

But everyone is different! It behooves the undecided to ask questions and explore as much as possible. Join me, then, in my reckless pursuit of a life-defining career. I’ll try updating this list every few months and include new specialties that I’ve been exposed to.

1. Medicine: The default for the undecided leaves room for a later decision.
2. Pediatrics: I’m at Egleston right now, and I think kids — even sick ones — are more manageable than I previously thought. Plus, videogames at work.
3. Psychiatry: The “biopsychosocial” approach to mental health is an appealing challenge. Bonus points for people giving you the stink eye when you tell them your job.
X. everything else
X. Anesthesiology: The motto of anesthesiology is “vigilance.” Adherence to this principle is difficult when you have the distractability of a goldfish.
X. General Surgery: (see above)
X. Radiology: The lifestyle is great and the skills are respected, but the wandering spirit is not calmed by computer work.

Short update, so here is a comic (credit Michelle Au @ Scutmonkey):