cardiologist vs oncologist

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salmonella

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Which specialist is more well-respected from the lay public point of view: cardiologist or medical oncologist?
 
I'm not sure there is a difference in regards to respect, but I would venture that the public of more aware of cardiologists and what they do. Working in a cancer center, I find that there is a great deal of confusion about the differences between med onc, rad onc and surg onc from the general public and patient population.
 
Kimberli Cox said:
Working in a cancer center, I find that there is a great deal of confusion about the differences between med onc, rad onc and surg onc from the general public and patient population.
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Which is why I like to break it down simply for my patients:

Surg Onc - Cuts You
Rad Onc - Burns You
Med Onc - Poisons You

They all get it when you put it that way.
 
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I don't know about the lay public's view but among your peers, cardiology is universally hated and oncology is respected. Cardiologists are hated by radiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, vascular surgeons, and maybe a few others. Cardiologists have also gotten a lot of bad press lately for doing a lot of unnecessary angioplasties. I think everyone knows it's difficult to get into cardiology and respect their accomplishments, but a lot of people think cardiologists are money grubbing cath jockeys too.
 
I think oncologists are more prestigious but cardiologists make more money. So they kind of cancel out when it comes to attracting women. Which do you want? Prestige or money? And what kind of woman do you want?

😛

Sometimes I really wonder if there are premeds (or the equivalent) out there trying to decide on what specialty is in their future by *****ic comparisons like which is more prestigious or by arbitrary comparisons like who the general public prefers (and bear in mind, the general public likes American Idol, People magazine, and votes for politicians based on looks or simplistic statements). At times, I almost hope that such premeds exist if only for the sheer hope that I will encounter one in person someday and have to evaluate them. At least it's honest though.

One thing is certain though, whichever one you pick (if you get into either or go into one by default because you couldn't get into the other) I have no doubt that one will become vastly more interesting, sexy, and prestigious. And everyone in the other field will be there for superficial reasons.
 
salmonella said:
Which specialist is more well-respected from the lay public point of view: cardiologist or medical oncologist?
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salmonella said:
Just go to any clinic and ask any patient whether cardiologists or radiologists are more well respected as physicians.
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salmonella said:
Just out of curiosity, which specialty sounds sexier to the lay public: Neurology or Cardiology? What do you guys think?
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Hey, if you want to do cardiology, just do it. Who cares what the lay public thinks? Did you go into medicine to help people or to stroke your own ego? If the prestige bothers you so much, maybe you are in medicine for the wrong reasons.

For that matter are you even a medical student?

footcramp said:
I don't know about the lay public's view but among your peers, cardiology is universally hated and oncology is respected. Cardiologists are hated by radiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, vascular surgeons, and maybe a few others. Cardiologists have also gotten a lot of bad press lately for doing a lot of unnecessary angioplasties. I think everyone knows it's difficult to get into cardiology and respect their accomplishments, but a lot of people think cardiologists are money grubbing cath jockeys too.
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I will tell you this, cardiologists have made many enemies amongst other doctors, even amongst other internists.

Salmonella, tell me: would you rather be respected by the man on the street, or despised by your peers?
 
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