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- Jan 7, 2004
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I don't really know where all this talk is coming from that EM is a lifestyle specialty... IMO, it's not.
I think EM is deceiving and that it's great for the young doc who is able to pull those nights and random shifts.... but as you age, it's not so fun having to reset your circadian rhythm every few days. At 25, night shifts are no problem (as an intern), at age 35 it's more of a nuisance but still not bad, at 45 it's becoming a pain, at 55 it sucks. At 65? I'd rather be retired.
As a graduating 4th year resident, I've met my share of attendings, many of whom have always shared the same and common sentiment - our specialty is a great launch pad right out of the gates of residency. You get a good paying job, you're amped to see patients, you can handle the schedule. But as you age, you don't really get any seniority at your job (you usually don't get any shift reductions or shift preferences for the same pay), your pay does not increase with respect to your experience (unless you're a partner), if you leave the job and move to another then you as a 20 year vet are treated the same as a new junior attending.
It even seems like the more experienced docs are at a disadvantage since I've been told that EM groups like the young sprouts because they usually have no malpractice records or dings to their licenses!
So it seems that EM is great to start out with... but not so great as you age and as you become a veteran.
Don't get me wrong, I like my job and I am glad I'm an EM doc. But, it is NOT a lifestyle specialty from my own experience.
Thoughts?
I think EM is deceiving and that it's great for the young doc who is able to pull those nights and random shifts.... but as you age, it's not so fun having to reset your circadian rhythm every few days. At 25, night shifts are no problem (as an intern), at age 35 it's more of a nuisance but still not bad, at 45 it's becoming a pain, at 55 it sucks. At 65? I'd rather be retired.
As a graduating 4th year resident, I've met my share of attendings, many of whom have always shared the same and common sentiment - our specialty is a great launch pad right out of the gates of residency. You get a good paying job, you're amped to see patients, you can handle the schedule. But as you age, you don't really get any seniority at your job (you usually don't get any shift reductions or shift preferences for the same pay), your pay does not increase with respect to your experience (unless you're a partner), if you leave the job and move to another then you as a 20 year vet are treated the same as a new junior attending.
It even seems like the more experienced docs are at a disadvantage since I've been told that EM groups like the young sprouts because they usually have no malpractice records or dings to their licenses!
So it seems that EM is great to start out with... but not so great as you age and as you become a veteran.
Don't get me wrong, I like my job and I am glad I'm an EM doc. But, it is NOT a lifestyle specialty from my own experience.
Thoughts?