GP vs Anaesthetics - career advice

Hello!

I’m a final year medical student and I’m having a bit of a dilemma about my future career.

Here’s the progression I’ve gone through so far. Before medical school, loved the idea of EM. In med school, really enjoyed my paediatric placements, but EM placements were my favourite by far. However, I enjoyed my GP placements too (less than EM), and would feel the most ‘well’ in them.

For context, I’m autistic, and so the routine and certainty of GP land really helped me mentally. Since realising this, I’ve got it in my head that I wouldn’t be able to manage in any other specialty. After conversations with my partner, we both decided GP would probably be the way to go because although we both have other specialties we’d enjoy more, GP would let us enjoy the other parts of life more.

Today, I had my first experience of anaesthetics and I absolutely adored it. This has now clearly caused a dilemma, which is where I would really appreciate some input.

Here are my thoughts on both specialities. If I’m missing anything, please let me know. I would like any and all advice please.

GP

Pros:

Qualify sooner

Solid routine

Enjoy continuity of care in this setting

Could have a special interest in paeds

Once you’re in training no need to reapply

MRSA and no interviews

Cons:

Less enjoyment of the bread and butter

So much admin

Lacking practical skills that I enjoy

Fear I would get bored, no high pressure situations

Anaesthetics

Pros:

Lots of hands on practical stuff

Find the medicine behind it all genuinely fascinating

Could see myself enjoying the day to day stuff

Lots of opportunity to work in high acuity settings

Can do admin during ops when patient is stable a lot of the time

Work well in high pressure situations and quite enjoy that

Cons:

Longer training pathway

Very difficulty exams from what I’ve heard (I’ve struggled a bit academically)

Heard training is a nightmare (50% OOH?) not sure how I’d cope with it

I have zero portfolio built up

Work life balance, it’s important for me to be a present parent

Any help is appreciated!