Debunking the Myth of the Specialty Soulmate

Medical students are commonly advised to “find their fit” as they strive to make a specialty decision. But the term “fit” is often interpreted to mean that every medical student has a specialty soulmate, one perfect specialty that will provide career satisfaction. The specialty soulmate myth is reinforced through the career advising process, the residency application and selection process, and the structure and funding of graduate medical education. The authors explain the vocational theory that is the foundation of fit, describe how the specialty soulmate myth is reinforced in undergraduate and graduate medical education, and offer recommendations for dispelling the specialty soulmate myth.