'Hands-off' specialists (oncology, immunology etc.) need as much training and practice as a surgeon does. Internal medicine especially so, since they're the hos

'Hands-off' specialists (oncology, immunology etc.) need as much training and practice as a surgeon does. Internal medicine especially so, since they're the hospital's backbone. You break them, you break everyone else. The difference is in the education period: if you're in a 'hands-on' specialty, your level will be very dependent on the quality of your program. For more theoretical specialties, you are the main determinant of your final level. Anesthesiologist here, FWIW.