This post is a conversation with an anonymous intern during their orthopedic surgery residency, as part of our interview series with residents across various medical specialties to help medical students decide which path is right for them. Let’s dive in!
For a side-by-side comparison of each medical specialty, check out this FREE Medical Specialties Breakdown download including required exam scores, salaries, and more!
What’s your favorite part of orthopedic surgery?
Bones. Just kidding.
I like how orthopedic surgeons are able to restore function. They can treat anyone from athletes to children to elderly patients and improve their quality of life tremendously. I think that’s an incredible thing to be able to do for patients, and I personally witnessed that change in quality of life after my grandfather got a hip replacement (more on that later).
What is your least favorite part of orthopedic surgery?
I think this goes for all surgical specialties, but the hours can be very intense. While it is true that as an attending orthopedic surgeon you can have a very balanced lifestyle if you want, a surgical residency is a surgical residency and the hours over the course of four years can take their toll.
I still love my job and the path I chose, but it can get taxing, especially as an intern. I’m fortunate to have a strong family and support system, and having a partner who is very understanding of my demanding schedule has been very important for me.
Were you considering any other specialties?
I always thought that I would be interested in something surgical. I was leaning towards orthopedic surgery, but keeping an open mind.
I did my general surgery clerkship in the middle of my third year, and while I enjoyed the hands-on procedures, there were aspects of general surgery that I didn’t like. I didn’t like spending a whole lot of time seeing patients in the hospital, and part of general surgery training is being able to manage complicated patients in the surgical ICU. I also didn’t love all the procedures (personally did not enjoy the colon procedures) and a lot of the patients on the general surgery service were very sick. Personally, I preferred seeing patients in an outpatient setting and I really detested long rounds (ex. on surgical ICU).
The reason I was initially leaning towards orthopedic surgery was because of what an orthopedic surgeon was able to do for my grandfather. Before medical school, my grandfather needed a hip replacement. I took him to all his appointments (he needed me as a translator) and I was in awe of his orthopedic surgeon. He was such a kind doctor and forever changed my grandfather’s quality of life with a single surgery.
After my general surgery rotation, I was definitely leaning towards orthopedic surgery even more.
What comes next after orthopedic surgery residency?
There are a lot of fellowships and job opportunities out there, but I am pretty sure I’ll do a fellowship in adult hip and knee replacement. My experience with my grandfather really impacted me.
Any advice for medical students interested in orthopedic surgery?
Consider taking a research year between your third and fourth year of medical school, especially if you are a less competitive applicant. That was the case for me. I didn’t have a home orthopedic surgery program and my Step 1 score was lower than the average for orthopedic surgery. I was really worried about that, so I decided to take a research year to strengthen my chances of matching.
I was also already halfway through my third year when I was sure I wanted to pursue orthopedic surgery and I wanted more time to get involved in the field since it is one of the more competitive specialties. The research year was the right choice for me, but it might not be the right choice for everyone. It allowed me to network with faculty at a residency program and when it came time to apply, I had a mentor rooting for me and helping me along the application and interview process.
And no matter which specialty you choose, best of luck in your journey!
Find more interviews with residents in these other Blueprint Med School posts!
