I know that cards is super competitive, and everyone and their moms are "going into" cards. But what are some REAL reasons why people CHOOSE not to go into cards (other than it being hair-pulling competitive)? Just curious.

I know that cards is super competitive, and everyone and their moms are "going into" cards. But what are some REAL reasons why people CHOOSE not to go into cards (other than it being hair-pulling competitive)? Just curious.

Umm...I hate it. And I like Onc.

I know that cards is super competitive, and everyone and their moms are "going into" cards. But what are some REAL reasons why people CHOOSE not to go into cards (other than it being hair-pulling competitive)? Just curious.

My wife hates the hours

ummm. because I don't find the heart very interesting. at all. I think there are a lot of people who aren't going into cards or who have never really thought about cards because they simply aren't psyched about it.

that said, I think it appeals to a wide range of people because it offers a lot of procedures if you like being hands on, and it is rather lucrative. And I think the heart is fascinating to a lot of people. but I don't think it falls under the umbrella of things that everyone considers at one point or another...

so my round-about answer is that the big reasons not to go into cards are:
1) you have no interest in cards
2) you have an interest in cards but doubts about lifestyle, your ability to get a fellowship, etc.

Cards is a good field, and it has a ton of research going, I understand that. But it's just that I feel like I can't talk to a cards fellow for more than 2 sentences before this trial and that trial is referred to... and most cards bound people are pretty gunner-ish and intense, and needs to kiss a lot of as&, dunno if any one else feels the same...

i find infectious diseases a lot more intellectually stimulating. :love:

to each his own, at least IM allows us so many different options.

I THINK, from my experiences, that GI offers a lot more variety of procedures and a better lifestyle. Plus, I love the pancreas and IBD.

Cards is a good field, and it has a ton of research going, I understand that. But it's just that I feel like I can't talk to a cards fellow for more than 2 sentences before this trial and that trial is referred to... and most cards bound people are pretty gunner-ish and intense, and needs to kiss a lot of as&, dunno if any one else feels the same...

Rounding in the CCU yesterday on one patient who was on her way out the door w/ a new Rx for an ACEI post NSTEMI w/ clean coronaries on cath, no less than 10 studies w/ stupid names were quoted by the fellow and attending in an effort to determine which ACEI she should go out on. After that 10 minutes of torture was over the attending said, "but it doesn't really matter, lisinopril is fine, it's cheap." My experience w/ cardiologists is that they love to quote data and studies and then just do whatever the hell they want.

On several occasions in the past 2 weeks I've had the following discussion w/ 2 different cards attendings on multiple different patients.

Attending: So what do you want to do with Mr. Jones?
Me: Well, I think that given A, B and C, we should do X, Y and Z.

Attending: If you wanted to be evidence driven, that's certainly the right thing to do. But we're going to do Q, J and W because that's what works for me.
Me: OMGWTFROFLMAO!

I don't even bother anymore. I've embraced my role as a note monkey...tell me what to write and I'll write it.

Because I hate money.

nice money shot.

Rounding in the CCU yesterday on one patient who was on her way out the door w/ a new Rx for an ACEI post NSTEMI w/ clean coronaries on cath, no less than 10 studies w/ stupid names were quoted by the fellow and attending in an effort to determine which ACEI she should go out on. After that 10 minutes of torture was over the attending said, "but it doesn't really matter, lisinopril is fine, it's cheap." My experience w/ cardiologists is that they love to quote data and studies and then just do whatever the hell they want.

On several occasions in the past 2 weeks I've had the following discussion w/ 2 different cards attendings on multiple different patients.

Attending: So what do you want to do with Mr. Jones?
Me: Well, I think that given A, B and C, we should do X, Y and Z.

Attending: If you wanted to be evidence driven, that's certainly the right thing to do. But we're going to do Q, J and W because that's what works for me.
Me: OMGWTFROFLMAO!

I don't even bother anymore. I've embraced my role as a note monkey...tell me what to write and I'll write it.

This is well said. However, I think this is going to be for every speciality and Cards are leading the way. We need to find a good way to combine research and clinical practice. Cards research are explosive and they have 20 trials on each topic. Now with the advancement of technology everybody is embracing clinical and basic research and so called "EVIDENCE BASED MEDICINE". It is not unusual to hear the name of these trials in ICU, GI and Hem-Onc. And also in the world of defensive medicine this is what the patients want to hear "Options of treatment". I think this is ridiculous. A patient with no medical background hearing about all the trials and deciding himself how to be treated. Alas! This is the way defensive medicine is going.

Anyway the baseline believe it or not, 10 years from now all the specialities are going to talk like this.

COnflicts of Interest: Interested in Cardiology

just noticed the thread, and I have a good reason. Not cards because depsite what everyone seems to think or hear, the starting salary is just over 200k/year. This is not from a survey, this is from a friend who is in the job hunt right now, FWIW.

CJ

its true. starting salaries at academic centers are HORRIBLE (i know its a relative term). i've heard of 180K at some academic centers. but then i also personally know someone (my bro-in-law) who is making $400K as a diagnostic invasive cardiologist (ie. no interventions) in his second year of working. he works decent hours - i mean, he still has a life.