Plastic surgery vs. physical medicine and rehabilitation 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 plastic surgery vs. physical medicine and rehabilitation 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.
Plastic Surgery vs. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Salary and Job Security
Plastic 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 after fellowship, even if you graduate from a prestigious program.
Physical medicine and rehabilitation, meanwhile, offers more job openings. You can easily find hospitals that need physiatrists, and the career outlook is positive, even if the salary is not as high as plastic surgery. But physical medicine and rehabilitation also comes with some challenges, such as higher burnout and less job security, which we will discuss later.
According to recent data, plastic surgeons have the highest average annual salary among medical specialties at $619,000, while physiatrists earn less with an average of $306,000.
Plastic surgeons earn $619,000 per year on average, while physiatrists earn less with $306,000 annually
Plastic Surgery vs. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: 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. Among US seniors, physical medicine and rehabilitation had a 13.9% unmatched rate, making it moderately competitive. In comparison, plastic surgery was the most competitive residency in the 2022 Match, with a 37.3% unmatched rate among US Seniors.
Physical medicine and rehabilitation had a 13.9% unmatched rate, while plastic surgery had a 37.3% unmatched rate among US seniors
Training Path: Residency
Plastic surgery requires completing a five to six-year residency program accredited by the Residency Review Committee for Plastic Surgery (RRC-PS). Physical medicine and rehabilitation involves a four-year physical medicine and rehabilitation residency.
A physical medicine and rehabilitation residency is typically less competitive than a plastic surgery residency. 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.
Plastic Surgery vs. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is a crucial factor for many medical professionals. Physiatrists 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.
Plastic 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 burn accidents.
On average, plastic surgeons and physiatrists work 52.2 and 49.9 hours per week, respectively, ranking them in the middle of medical specialties.
Plastic surgeons work an average of 52.2 hours per week, while physiatrists work slightly fewer hours, at 49.9 per week.
Physical medicine and rehabilitation is a patient-centric specialty that requires building long-lasting relationships with patients. While this can be rewarding, it also means carrying a patient panel and more administrative work.
That being said, plastic surgeons spend 11 hours per week on administrative paperwork tasks, such as documenting pre- and post-operative notes and taking photographs. In comparison, physiatrists spend an estimated 19 hours on admin and paperwork per week, ranking at the upper end of all medical specialties
Plastic surgeons work on admin/paperwork an average of 11 hours per week, while physiatrists work more hours, at 19 per week.
Training Duration and Subspecialties
The training duration is a key aspect to consider when choosing between plastic surgery vs. physical medicine and rehabilitation. Physical medicine and rehabilitation has a four-year training period, while plastic surgery has a minimum of five to six-year residency program.
After completing a plastic surgery residency program, some surgeons may choose to pursue additional fellowships to further specialize in a particular aspect of plastic surgery. This can increase the length of your plastic surgery training.
Plastic Surgery vs. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Job Satisfaction and Burnout Rates
Job satisfaction plays a significant role in career fulfillment. According to various studies, plastic surgery tends to have higher job satisfaction rates than physical medicine and rehabilitation. Many plastic surgeons express contentment with their career choice and would choose it again if given the chance. Additionally, plastic surgery has lower reported burnout rates than physical medicine and rehabilitation.
According to recent data, plastic surgery ranked at the upper end of all medical specialties with 97% of plastic surgeons stating that they would choose the same specialty again, while physical medicine and rehabilitation ranked slightly lower with 85% of physiatrists feeling the same way.
Plastic surgeons reported a 97% job satisfaction rate, while physiatrists reported slightly lower satisfaction with 85%
That being said, plastic surgery and physical medicine and rehabilitation have similar burnout rates, with plastic surgery at 46% and physical medicine and rehabilitation at 47%, which is near the lower end of all medical specialties.
Plastic surgeons have a burnout rate of 46%, while physiatrists have a higher burnout rate of 47%.
Plastic Surgery vs. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Comparison
To provide a visual overview, here’s a table comparing plastic surgery and physical medicine and rehabilitation:
| Aspect | Plastic Surgery | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | High income, especially in specialized areas like reconstructive or cosmetic surgery | Lower than plastic surgery |
| Job Security | Stable field with availability of both reconstructive and cosmetic procedures | Stable demand with aging populations and focus on non-life-threatening conditions |
| Training Path | Typically involves 5-6 years of plastic surgery residency | Typically involves four years of physical medicine and rehabilitation residency |
| Lifestyle | Generally predictable work schedule and increased opportunities for time off, but may involve on-call responsibilities for trauma or burn cases | Predictable hours without on-call duties |
| Administrative Paperwork | Low to Moderate documentation requirements for patient records and surgical plans | High documentation requirements such as notes and referral letters |
| 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 | Low to Moderate |
| Personality | Requires creativity, precision, and good communication skills, attention to aesthetics | Empathetic, strong intercommunication skills |
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 plastic surgery vs. physical medicine and rehabilitation 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.
