What is the best field of medicine for a math oriented person?

November 13th, 2009 | by Michael |
medicine
Dan asked:


Hi, I’m pretty sure I want to become a doctor, but am having trouble deciding which field to enter. Is there field of medicine that would be fitting for a person with a mathematical oriented brain? Any and all answers would be appreciated. Thank you.

SAMMY

  1. 4 Responses to “What is the best field of medicine for a math oriented person?”

  2. By R. Gaspari on Nov 16, 2009 | Reply

    You may consider epidemiology if you find that you like extensive mathematics in your everyday work

  3. By Adjeak I on Nov 17, 2009 | Reply

    You might enjoy medical research.
    Consider epidemiology - the study of who gets which disease and how often. It’s very statistics-intensive, relies heavily on computer models and modeling, and has a hefty systems analysis component, as well.
    Certain aspects of occupational health might also be good for you: you could work on a variety of environmental problems (exposure to toxins, for instance), that require a very concrete understanding of probability. Genetics and bioinformatics can definitely be tied into a career in medicine.
    Take a look at the NIH and CDC websites (and the FDA, too) - they can give you a sense of all the possibilities!

  4. By Mojo on Nov 20, 2009 | Reply

    I think I agree with both of the replies above. I might add that to be a good physician, one has to know exactly where medical knowledge comes from and what are its limitations.

    Here, a thorough understanding of medical literature is essential. Most of us (physicians) do study biostatistics in medical school, but just enough to get by.

    The good physicians I know insist on practising evidence based medicine. They are usually very with biostatistics.

  5. By J.SWAMY I on Nov 20, 2009 | Reply

    Radiology is the specialty which needs a good working knowledge of physics and mathematics. Orthopedics also needs Maths in fixing prosthetics to joints .Correcting refractory errors of eye is almost mathematics.

Sorry, comments for this entry are closed at this time.