Choosing your specialty

Selecting a specialty and ensuring that it is the right choice will significantly impact your life both professionally and personally. Though the new foundation programme aims to develop your skills in a range of medical specialties, the new system does not allow much flexibility for changing specialities down the track.

Basic factors to consider when selecting a specialty include:

• Understand and comprehensively research the theory and practice of your chosen speciality. Observe colleagues who may be in that role and have discussions with mentors and peers at all level to understand the scope and responsibilities and commitment required for the role.
• Assess whether you have the mental and physical aptitude to match the speciality you are interested in. Many acute roles require long hours, which in effect can deteriorate your health if you are not prepared for the pressure.
• Consider your personal life such as partner, children, holidays, etc. Trying to maintain a balance between work and professional life is integral for ensuring job satisfaction. Geography is an important fact to note, considering many roles will required you to live in that area for longer periods of time.
• Ensure you have an interest, passion and motivation for your chosen specialty. This will increase productivity and will ensure that your have a more fulfilling career.

For an understanding of each specialty, you can review the Foundation Years Journal which highlights 2 specialties per issue.