Orthopedic surgery vs. allergy and immunology is one of the debates among medical students interested in physiology. Both specialties allow you to explore the complex workings of the human body and use your skills to improve patient outcomes. However, they also have significant differences, such as the scope of practice, the work environment, and the training requirements.
How do you decide which one is right for you? In this article, we will provide helpful information and tips to help you make an intelligent decision on orthopedic surgery vs. allergy and immunology and find a fulfilling career that matches your interests and abilities. We will also help you evaluate practical factors such as job availability, salary, and training duration.
Orthopedic Surgery vs. Allergy and Immunology: Salary and Job Security
Orthopedic surgery might be your specialty if you want to earn a lot of money and have a steady demand for your services. But be prepared for a competitive job market, even if you graduate from a prestigious program.
Allergy and immunology, meanwhile, offer more job openings. You can easily find a hospital that needs allergists/immunologists, and the career outlook is positive, even if the salary is not as high as orthopedic surgery. But allergy and immunology also come with some challenges, such as higher burnout and less job security, which we will discuss later.
According to recent data, orthopedists earn an average annual salary of $573,000, while allergists/immunologists earn less with an average of $282,000. Of all medical specialties, only plastic surgeons have higher average annual salaries than orthopedists, with plastic surgeons earning $619,000.
Orthopedists earn $573,000 per year on average, while allergists/immunologists earn less with $282,000 annually
Orthopedic Surgery vs. Allergy and Immunology: Competitiveness
Here we can assess the competitiveness of a specialty by looking at the unmatched rate – the % of people who apply and do not match their preferred specialty. Orthopedic surgery was the 2nd most competitive residency in the 2022 Match, with a 34.2% unmatched rate among US Seniors. Only plastic surgery had a higher percentage of 37.3%.
Orthopedic surgery had a 34.2% unmatched rate, while internal medicine had a 2% unmatched rate among US seniors
To pursue a career in allergy and immunology, you must first match into an internal medicine residency. Among US Seniors, the unmatched percentage for internal medicine residency was only 2%, making it less competitive than other residencies. However, this does not mean that allergy and immunology is less competitive. After completing your internal medicine residency, you will still need to match into a fellowship, which is generally more competitive than matching into a residency.
Below is the unmatched percentage among non-pediatric fellowships with >100 applicants. The unmatched percentage of US Seniors applying to the allergy and immunology fellowship was 13.7%, making it highly competitive compared to most fellowships with >100 applicants.
Training Path: Residency
The training pathways for orthopedic surgery vs. allergy and immunology are not the same. To become an allergist/immunologist, you must complete a two-year fellowship in allergy and immunology after completing an internal medicine residency. Orthopedic surgery involves a five-year orthopedic residency
Allergy and immunology fellowships are typically less competitive than orthopedic surgery residencies. Your USMLE scores, med school, and research are the main things for residency applications. Research is also a big thing for fellowship applications, and your residency program counts more, but your USMLE scores matter much less.
Orthopedic Surgery vs. Allergy and Immunology: Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is a crucial factor for many medical professionals. Allergists/immunologists often enjoy a better work-life balance due to the nature of their work. They usually have predetermined working hours, leading to more predictable schedules.
In comparison, orthopedic surgeons often have demanding surgical schedules and may work long hours in the operating room. They may also be on-call for emergencies such as trauma or accidents.
On average, orthopedic surgeons work 52.9 hours per week, which is above the middle of all medical specialties. In comparison, allergists/immunologists work an average of 44.1 hours, which is at the lower end of all medical specialties.
Orthopedic surgeons work 52.9 hours per week, while allergists/immunologists work less, at 44.1 hours.
Orthopedists require documentation, such as referral letters and diagnostic tests, resulting in an estimated 14 hours of admin/paperwork per week. The estimated physician admin/paperwork hours were not provided for allergy and immunology, but you can see estimated paperwork hours for other specialties below.
Orthopedists work on admin/paperwork an average of 14 hours per week
Training Duration and Subspecialties
The training duration is a key aspect to consider when choosing between orthopedic surgery vs. allergy and immunology. Allergy and immunology requires a minimum five-year training period, including three years of internal medicine residency, while orthopedic surgery requires a minimum of five years of residency after completing medical school.
After completing an orthopedic surgery residency program, some surgeons may choose to pursue additional fellowships to further specialize in a particular aspect of orthopedic surgery. This can increase the length of your orthopedic surgery training.
Orthopedic Surgery vs. Allergy and Immunology: Job Satisfaction and Burnout Rates
Job satisfaction plays a significant role in career fulfillment. According to various studies, orthopedic surgery tends to have higher job satisfaction rates than allergy and immunology. Many orthopedists express contentment with their career choice and would choose it again if given the chance. Additionally, orthopedic surgery has lower reported burnout rates than allergy and immunology.
According to recent data, orthopedic surgery ranked near the upper end of all medical specialties with 95% of orthopedists stating that they would choose the same specialty again, while allergy and immunology ranked lower with 78% of allergists/immunologists feeling the same way.
Orthopedists reported a 95% job satisfaction rate, while allergists/immunologists reported lower satisfaction with 78%
That being said, the burnout rates for orthopedic surgery were 45%, near the lower end of all medical specialties. In comparison, allergy and immunology had a burnout rate of 49% ranking near the middle of all medical specialties.
Orthopedists have a burnout rate of 45%, while allergists/immunologists have a higher burnout rate of 49%.
Orthopedic Surgery vs. Allergy and Immunology Comparison
To provide a visual overview, here’s a table comparing orthopedic surgery vs allergy and immunology:
| Aspect | Orthopedic Surgery | Allergy and Immunology |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | High, especially those focusing on high-demand joint/spine procedures | Generally high income but lower than orthopedic surgery |
| Job Security | High demand field as population ages. Injuries and sports will ensure job stability. | High demand due to increasing rates of allergies and autoimmune disorders |
| Training Path | Typically involves 5 years of orthopedic surgery residency | Typically involves 3 years of internal medicine residency, and 2 years of allergy/immunology fellowship |
| Lifestyle | Predictable work schedule and increased opportunities for time off, but involve on-call responsibilities for trauma or accident cases | Typically more regular working hours. |
| Administrative Paperwork | Moderate documentation requirements for surgery notes, consults, and orders. | Moderate documentation requirements, often focused on allergy testing and immunotherapy plans |
| Job Satisfaction | Generally high, satisfaction tied to successful surgeries and patient outcomes | Lower |
| Burnout Rates | Low to Moderate, depending on the workload and stress associated with surgical procedures | Higher |
| Personality | Detail-oriented, mechanically inclined. Enjoy operative procedures. | Strong analytical skills, empathy, and good communication skills to understand and address patients' concerns |
Please note that this table serves as a general comparison. To determine the most suitable career for you, consider your personal and career priorities and goals.
Concluding Thoughts
Choosing the right specialty between orthopedic surgery vs. allergy and immunology depends heavily on your priorities. To determine this, try reverse engineering your ideal life and identify your top priority. A helpful exercise is to write down the top five things you want to achieve in your career and personal life. Knowing these priorities will make finding a career that aligns with them easier. Often, the biggest obstacle is not a lack of knowledge about different fields but a lack of self-awareness about our preferences.
