As a dermatologist, you’ll spend most of your day working with patients and their skin. Ensuring they are happy, healthy, and getting the best care available. Because this career has multiple sub-specialties, there are several types of dermatologists.
General practitioners focus on diagnosing and treating different skin conditions in patients. Plastic surgeons focus on cosmetic procedures instead of general skincare maintenance. Either way, being a successful dermatologist requires dedication, perseverance, and personal drive to reach your goals successfully. Here are some job rewards associated with being a successful dermatologist:
Helping Others Feel and Look Their Best
One of the most significant job rewards of being a dermatologist is the ability to help people feel and look their best. You’ll be working with various people daily, and you’ll be able to help them improve their skin somehow. It might be through treatment for an existing condition or prevention of a new one. If you specialize in a certain type of skin problem, such as acne or eczema, you’ll be able to help others suffering from these skin issues.
You’ll also be able to provide them with excellent care while teaching them how to prevent the condition from returning. It goes beyond just your patients, as you’ll be able to help your friends and family with their skin issues. Whether it’s a rash or an insect bite, you’ll know to help them get better.
Fellowship with Other Skin Specialists
Another job reward of being a dermatologist is the chance to fellowship with other skin specialists. While you’ll spend most of your time working with patients and their skin issues, you’ll also get the opportunity to work with other dermatologists. In your dermatology training, you’ll have the opportunity to work with other dermatologists specializing in different fields.
You’ll get to learn from each of these specialists, and they can offer you advice and tips on how to improve your practice. You’ll also fellowship with other dermatologists when you attend awards, conventions, or conferences. You can learn from professionals in your field and meet other dermatologists to create new connections and build partnerships.
Travel Opportunities
Being a dermatologist allows you to travel both domestically and internationally. Many specialties, such as Mohs micrographic surgery, require you to travel to different parts of the country or world to attend continuing education seminars. You may also be asked to travel abroad to care for needy patients.
For example, you may be able to visit a developing country and provide free or low-cost care to those who can’t afford it. Being a dermatologist opens many doors for traveling, work, and leisure. Besides, you can also attend conferences in other parts of the country to network with dermatologists.
Advancement of Your Knowledge and Expertise
Finally, being a dermatologist allows you to advance your knowledge and expertise in the field. You’ll constantly learn new tips and tricks for skin care, skin conditions, and treatment options. It is because dermatology is a growing field, and discoveries are always being made.
New technologies and techniques are also developing as the field evolves. You’ll also have the opportunity to mentor other dermatologists and share your expertise and knowledge. In addition, you can help other specialists improve their practices and learn from them to better your skills. Through this, you may also be able to identify more paying dermatology job openings.
Good Work-Life Balance
Historically, dermatologists have been among the least burned-out physicians. However, the number of burnout-prone doctors continues to rise. According to research and statistics, more than a third of dermatologists feel burnt out daily. Even so, dermatologists are still among the happiest physician specialties, reporting a 78% overall happiness rating outside of work.
Bottom Line
Being a dermatologist is a fantastic career that provides numerous job rewards. You’ll be able to help others feel and look their best by assisting with existing skin conditions or preventing new ones. More so, a dermatologist also has its share of challenges you’ll need to overcome to be a successful dermatologist.
Dermatology is one of the most competitive medical specialties. As a result, it requires students to perform exceptionally well in clinical rotations, research, and leadership roles. In addition, dermatologists report lower burnout rates than other medical specialties. In conclusion, the rewards of being a dermatologist overcome the shortcomings; hence one of the best careers anyone can pursue.
