Orthopedic surgery vs. emergency medicine is one of the biggest 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. emergency medicine 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. Emergency Medicine: 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.
Emergency medicine, meanwhile, offers more job openings. You can easily find a hospital that needs emergency medicine specialists, and the career outlook is positive, even if the salary is not as high as orthopedic surgery. But emergency medicine also comes 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 emergency medicine specialists have a lower average salary of $352,000. 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 emergency medicine specialists earn less with $352,000 annually
Orthopedic Surgery vs. Emergency Medicine: 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 into their preferred specialty. The unmatched percentage among US Seniors for emergency medicine was 1.9%, making it less competitive among US residencies. In comparison, 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 emergency medicine had a 1.9% unmatched rate among US seniors
Training Path: Residency
The training pathways for orthopedic surgery vs. emergency medicine are not the same. Emergency medicine involves a three to four-year emergency medicine residency. Orthopedic surgery involves a five-year orthopedic residency.
Emergency medicine residencies 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. Emergency Medicine: Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is a crucial factor for many medical professionals. Orthopedic surgeons tend to have a better work-life balance as compared to emergency medicine specialists. This is because orthopedic surgeons usually have a more predictable work schedule and can take more time off. On the other hand, emergency medicine specialists have to work in shifts, including nights and weekends. They deal with unexpected emergencies, making their schedules less predictable.
On average, orthopedic surgeons work 52.9 hours per week, which is above the middle of all medical specialties. In comparison, emergency physicians work fewer hours with 44.4 hours, ranking at the lower end of all medical specialties.
Orthopedists work an average of 52.9 hours per week, while emergency medicine works fewer hours, at 44.4 per week.
Both orthopedic surgeons and emergency medicine specialists have to deal with hours of documentation. Orthopedists spend an estimated 14 hours on admin and paperwork per week, while emergency medicine specialists spend slightly less with 13 hours per week.
Orthopedists work on admin/paperwork an average of 14 hours per week, while emergency medicine specialists work fewer hours, at 13 per week.
Training Duration and Subspecialties
The training duration is a key aspect to consider when choosing between orthopedic surgery vs. emergency medicine. Emergency medicine has a three to four-year training period, while orthopedic surgery has a five-year residency training period.
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. Emergency Medicine: 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 emergency medicine. 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 emergency medicine.
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 emergency medicine ranked lower with 74% of emergency medicine specialists feeling the same way.
Orthopedists reported a 95% job satisfaction rate, while emergency medicine specialists reported lower satisfaction with 74%
That being said, the burnout rate for orthopedic surgery was 45% which was near the lower end of all medical specialties. In comparison, emergency medicine had a burnout rate of 65%, ranking at the top of all medical specialties.
Orthopedists have a burnout rate of 45%, while emergency medicine specialists have a higher burnout rate of 65%.
Orthopedic Surgery vs. Emergency Medicine Comparison
To provide a visual overview, here’s a table comparing orthopedic surgery and emergency medicine:
| Aspect | Orthopedic Surgery | Emergency medicine |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | High, especially those focusing on high-demand joint/spine procedures | Varied, but lower than orthopedic surgery |
| Job Security | High demand field as population ages. Injuries and sports will ensure job stability. | High demand due to the necessity of uninterrupted emergency coverage |
| Training Path | Typically involves 5 years of orthopedic surgery residency | Typically involves 3-4 years of emergency medicine residency. |
| Lifestyle | Predictable work schedule and increased opportunities for time off, but involve on-call responsibilities for trauma or accident cases | Typically irregular and unpredictable working hours, with on-call duties and rotating shifts |
| Administrative Paperwork | Moderate documentation requirements for surgery notes, consults, and orders. | Moderate documentation requirements |
| 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 decision-making and multitasking skills, ability to remain calm and focused in high-pressure situations |
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. emergency medicine 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 own preferences.
