What it's really like in orthopaedic surgery—from 3 physicians who know

As a medical student, do you ever wonder what it’s like to specialize in orthopaedic surgery? Over the years, four pathologists from around the country and working in a variety of practice settings have taken the time to be featured doctors in the AMA’s "Shadow Me” Specialty Series, which offers advice directly from AMA member physicians about life in their specialties. Check out their insights to help determine whether a career in orthopaedic surgery might be a good fit for you.

1. Shadowing Heather Kowalski, MD

   1. Dr. Kowalski specializes in pediatric orthopaedic surgery and is employed by University of Iowa Health Care, in Iowa City. University of Iowa Health Care is a member of the AMA Health System Program, which provides enterprise solutions to equip leadership, physicians and care teams with resources to help drive the future of medicine. 
   2. She pointed out several skills every physician in training should have for the specialty. “Orthopaedic surgeons need to have an interest in the intersection of form and function and how modifying or changing one part of the body will impact other functions,” she said. “They need to be able to think on their toes when plans A through C don’t work and be ready to move ahead with other options in the operating room or during a trauma situation. They need to gather data and make a plan quickly when the situation mandates but also be able to sit back and think through how their decisions will impact patients in the long term.”
   3. At the same time, “Orthopaedic surgery is for everyone,” she said. “Many students will still probably only ever think of orthopaedic surgeons as coming from a very specific demographic—one that does not look much like me. But, very slowly, we are actively changing what an orthopaedic surgeon looks like, and hopefully future students will see that diversity is the key to continued progress in our field.

2. Shadowing Kim Templeton, MD

   1. Dr. Templeton has been in practice for 25 years. She said one of the most rewarding things has been “to work with patients long term, seeing them return to their lives, and seeing them thrive. It is also rewarding to see how they change during the course of their treatment. Most of them gain a different perspective on what is important to them.”
   2. Her own experience surviving cancer has given this work added meaning, she noted. “I went from someone primarily interested in working as a surgeon and being successful in that arena to wanting to change and improve the world.”
   3. She advised physicians in training to ask themselves some vital questions before pursuing a career in orthopaedic surgery: “What is your degree of comfort in working with patients who may be at the worst place in their lives? Are you comfortable enough talking with them not only about treatment, but how their diagnosis impacts their lives? Patients exist outside of the exam or operating room. We need to be curious about that and then help them incorporate their diagnosis and any treatment into the demands of their lives and their sense of self.”

3. Shadowing Daniel E. Choi, MD

   1. At the time of this profile, in 2021, Dr. Choi was still early in his career as an orthopaedic spine surgeon, but he had already realized that private practice worked best for him. But even private practice relies on teamwork, he noted, and medical students will need to demonstrate their understanding of this to earn a spot in an orthopaedic surgery residency.
   2. “During your subinternship, you will be watched closely to see how you function within a team and whether you can work collaboratively,” he said. “Having a high USMLE Step 1 score doesn't mean much at this point. Orthopaedic surgery is a long, five-year residency with a crazy amount of work. Team players are viewed as more adept to handle the rigors of this environment.”
   3. Students interested in orthopaedic spine surgery should check out the “Day in the Life” playlist by Kevin Jubbal, MD, on YouTube, which profiles various specialties, Dr. Choi said. “They are very well done and provide a great glimpse into the daily life one can expect within each specialty. I filmed a ‘Day in the Life—Orthopedic Spine Surgeon ’video with him.”

The AMA Specialty Guide simplifies medical students’ specialty selection process, highlights major specialties, details training information, and provides access to related association information. It is produced by FREIDA™, the AMA Residency & Fellowship Database^®. 

Learn more with the AMA about the medical specialties of orthopaedic surgery, orthopaedic surgery of the spine and pediatric orthopaedic surgery.