Doubts about going to medical school

[macbookpro1234]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Anyone else having doubts about going to medical school. I love the science behind medicine and the idea of being able help patients. I have nearly a 4.0 GPA and a 34 MCAT so I should easily get into an allopathic school. But every doctor I talk to is unhappy and tells me to stay as far away from medicine as possible. I also hear that with this new healthcare reform its likely doctors salaries and autonomy will be cut in half. My brother got his CPA and is now in law school and I am thinking about following his footsteps because it would be a much better decision financially. Basically I am depressed and confused, I always wanted to be a doctor but I think that with my intelligence and work ethic I can make a lot more money in finance/law fields. I want to know is anyone else thinking of not applying to medical school because of this healthcare reform and uncertain future or am I the only one? It would also be refreshing if someone would list some of the positives of being a doctor since you rarely hear them anymore.

 

[ensuii]

Healthcare reform may reduce doctors salaries...but not by half. That's a bit extreme. It's really hard to estimate the effect reform is going to have given the timeframe of implementation and the ambiguity in terms of how legislation will affect income/cost distribution. Right now, liberal estimates range from a decrease of 9% for some to an increase in 8% for others. There are a couple of good projection studies you can access at gallup(I think it was gallup)...I'll try to look them up and PM you if I can find them. Reform legislation might not even pass. Although a bill was passed earlier today, it seems to me like Obama is taxing his political capital trying to push this thing through. Regardless, no matter what happens with reform, you will live a financially secure life. You won't be filthy rich like some partner's in huge law firms, but you also won't be begging for money a while. I think this has been true for a while.

Also, don't put an overwhelming amount of stock into what people say. Some people are going to be happy with where they are, some people aren't. That's just way things are in life. I wouldn't doubt that it holds true for CPAs/Lawyers as well. Life is what you make out of it. You're at the precipice of an incredible journey. Medical school admission is competitve...there are thousands of students nationwide that survive the weed-out process some schools have and even still, don't make it into med school. You'll give up a lot...if you're graduating college at 22, you'll finish med school at 26, residency in your late 20s/early 30s. You'll most likely enter your 30s in debt and have never been in the same place for more than a couple year (depends on the individual but not uncommon). The best years of your life will be spent in training (not to say you can't have fun, but you're friends in other professions will probably have a lot more freedom than you).

But think of what you'll get...
-Financial security, 150K+ (which, imo, is pretty insane money even tho taxes rip out a good chunk of it), and a demand market such that you prolly won't have to try too hard to get a job especially considering that a fair bit of current physicians (I think it was 40% according to a survey I read recently, don't remember exactly) will retire in the next 5-9 years.
-People...you're surrounded by people that might be sick and need your help. I've got to imagine that it's a pretty strong feeling becoming close to a patient and curing them
-Versatility; You can do a lot of stuff with an MD if patient care isn't up your alley
-Prestige?
-Everyday, people wake up to work at a cashier for 8.50 an hour or dig a ditch along a highway. There's nothing wrong with this, it's what my parents did. But you have a chance to do something more, you owe it to them to do so. (I'm sure not everyone will agree with this but it's what I think)

If you were my son/daughter, I'd say suck it up and do it unless you forsee yourself being absolutely miserable.

 

[Greonis]

But every doctor I talk to is unhappy and tells me to stay as far away from medicine as possible.

You have somehow come across a biased sample, as there are many physicians out there who derive great satisfaction from their work. I would say that physician job satisfaction falls along a spectrum, and that every physician (even those who are overwhelmingly content with their line of work) has his or her concerns with the system.

I also hear that with this new healthcare reform its likely doctors salaries and autonomy will be cut in half.

No one really knows what will happen at this point. I highly doubt, however, that such drastic cuts will be seen for quite a while.

My brother got his CPA and is now in law school and I am thinking about following his footsteps because it would be a much better decision financially. Basically I am depressed and confused, I always wanted to be a doctor but I think that with my intelligence and work ethic I can make a lot more money in finance/law fields. I want to know is anyone else thinking of not applying to medical school because of this healthcare reform and uncertain future or am I the only one? It would also be refreshing if someone would list some of the positives of being a doctor since you rarely hear them anymore.

As a physician, you will undoubtedly earn a good living and have almost unmatched job security. Moreover, I believe that the aforementioned traits are perfectly good reasons for one to choose medicine as a career; they were certainly factors that I took into account in deciding to go to medical school. Given the tortuous path that you must follow to become a practicing physician and how tightly controlled physician income tends to be, however (versus, say, some professions in law or finance), I would say that one is ill-advised to enter medicine with a highly lucrative mindset. I highly recommend that you lay out your own definition of "financial success" (a term that is highly variable among different individuals) and ask yourself if you can realistically meet your goals as a physician. Consider the debt you'll likely take on, your probable income range, how often you will need to work, etc... It is certainly difficult to make these predictions for what may be a decade from now, but I do believe that today's standards may be used as a reasonable metric. If you find that you are highly unsatisfied with this plan and that the other aspects of a physician's career do not even come close to making up for it (the science, ability to help patients, job security, etc...) then you may very well have valid reasons for doubting your decision to become a physician.

Of course, as a random poster on this forum, I hope that you will take my advice with a grain of salt. I do not know you, after all, and would never make assumptions based upon a single post that you've made here. But this is nonetheless a concern that you need to address now, so I hope that you will take the time to reflect upon your doubts. As a final statement, realize that doubt is perfectly natural, and that anyone (including myself, to answer your question) who enters medical school is likely to have some sort of doubts about the path that they've chosen. You have but to determine if those doubts are serious enough (IE: cannot be mitigated in any way, shape or form) to warrant reconsideration of your career path.

 

[neuro1986]

Healthcare reform may reduce doctors salaries...but not by half. That's a bit extreme. It's really hard to estimate the effect reform is going to have given the timeframe of implementation and the ambiguity in terms of how legislation will affect income/cost distribution. Right now, liberal estimates range from a decrease of 9% for some to an increase in 8% for others. There are a couple of good projection studies you can access at gallup(I think it was gallup)...I'll try to look them up and PM you if I can find them. Reform legislation might not even pass. Although a bill was passed earlier today, it seems to me like Obama is taxing his political capital trying to push this thing through. Regardless, no matter what happens with reform, you will live a financially secure life. You won't be filthy rich like some partner's in huge law firms, but you also won't be begging for money a while. I think this has been true for a while.


Can you post the data that you find on this thread so that everyone can read it?Thx

Also, don't put an overwhelming amount of stock into what people say. Some people are going to be happy with where they are, some people aren't. That's just way things are in life. I wouldn't doubt that it holds true for CPAs/Lawyers as well. Life is what you make out of it. You're at the precipice of an incredible journey. Medical school admission is competitve...there are thousands of students nationwide that survive the weed-out process some schools have and even still, don't make it into med school. You'll give up a lot...if you're graduating college at 22, you'll finish med school at 26, residency in your late 20s/early 30s. You'll most likely enter your 30s in debt and have never been in the same place for more than a couple year (depends on the individual but not uncommon). The best years of your life will be spent in training (not to say you can't have fun, but you're friends in other professions will probably have a lot more freedom than you).

But think of what you'll get...
-Financial security, 150K+ (which, imo, is pretty insane money even tho taxes rip out a good chunk of it), and a demand market such that you prolly won't have to try too hard to get a job especially considering that a fair bit of current physicians (I think it was 40% according to a survey I read recently, don't remember exactly) will retire in the next 5-9 years.
-People...you're surrounded by people that might be sick and need your help. I've got to imagine that it's a pretty strong feeling becoming close to a patient and curing them
-Versatility; You can do a lot of stuff with an MD if patient care isn't up your alley
-Prestige?
-Everyday, people wake up to work at a cashier for 8.50 an hour or dig a ditch along a highway. There's nothing wrong with this, it's what my parents did. But you have a chance to do something more, you owe it to them to do so. (I'm sure not everyone will agree with this but it's what I think)

If you were my son/daughter, I'd say suck it up and do it unless you forsee yourself being absolutely miserable.

Can you post any data you find (the Gallup estimate) on this thread so that everyone can read it?Thx.

 

[ChinaDoll]

this is the first post by the OP...this got me thinking...hmmmmm

 

[ensuii]

Can you post any data you find (the Gallup estimate) on this thread so that everyone can read it?Thx.

Sure if I can find it.

http://www.merritthawkins.com/compensation-surveys.aspx has a couple of pretty okay survey's...still looking for the health reform and physician compensation one.

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

this is the first post by the OP...this got me thinking...hmmmmm

hmm i wonder 🙄

 

[greatnt249]

I have nearly a 4.0 GPA and a 34 MCAT so I should easily get into an allopathic school.

 

[neuro1986]

it is the OP's first post, does not mean that we need to discredit or think less of his remarks. It is very likely that his doubts have caused him to seek out advice and to share his concerns. Prior to this post he might have felt confident about this career path and did not feel as if he needed to reach out to others going in the same direction to share his reflections and to receive feedback. you should judge each person's post on the content immediately presented to you and not based on your own skepticism of their motivations. Ultimately, no one is in any position to judge any posters' motivations unless the poster him/herself explicitly outlines them or you are able to infer them with a high degree of certainty. Since we are rarely in a position where we possess the insight needed to satisfy the condition of assuming the intentions/motivations of another poster with a high degree of certainty, absent sufficient evidence to verify our suspicions (which could only be satisfied by the poster revealing to us the reasons behind why he/she posted or IN SOME CASES our longstanding close relationship with the poster)- then we should not begin to make judgments on the motivations/intentions of another poster.

(poster-a person who posts on SDN).

 

[mvenus929]

I have nearly a 4.0 GPA and a 34 MCAT so I should easily get into an allopathic school.

I have nearly a 4.0 and a 36, and I got rejected from every school I applied to last time I applied. Don't go in assuming you'll get in somewhere. You likely will, but be prepared in case you don't. It'll save a lot of heartache down the road.

 

[neuro1986]

I have nearly a 4.0 and a 36, and I got rejected from every school I applied to last time I applied. Don't go in assuming you'll get in somewhere. You likely will, but be prepared in case you don't. It'll save a lot of heartache down the road.

Are you applying again this cycle? What do you think held you back last time around?

 

[shahak49]

Are you kidding me????? 4.0 and above 30+...you still didn't get in.....God, this is so discouraging....I think I should just give up.....My god, I can't believe this.......The most depressing time of the day!

I have nearly a 4.0 and a 36, and I got rejected from every school I applied to last time I applied. Don't go in assuming you'll get in somewhere. You likely will, but be prepared in case you don't. It'll save a lot of heartache down the road.[/Q

 

[alibai3ah]

Are you kidding me????? 4.0 and above 30+...you still didn't get in.....God, this is so discouraging....I think I should just give up.....My god, I can't believe this.......The most depressing time of the day!
[/Q

I'm sure the person w/ a 36/4.0 had something else on their application and it wasn't the numbers that kept them out. There are plenty of 30/3.5ers who get in....it just shows it takes more than high numbers to get in.

 

[teenmachinery1]

This thread is making me want to jump off a very, very high bridge.

 

[Nilf]

Anyone else having doubts about going to medical school. I love the science behind medicine and the idea of being able help patients. I have nearly a 4.0 GPA and a 34 MCAT so I should easily get into an allopathic school. But every doctor I talk to is unhappy and tells me to stay as far away from medicine as possible. I also hear that with this new healthcare reform its likely doctors salaries and autonomy will be cut in half. My brother got his CPA and is now in law school and I am thinking about following his footsteps because it would be a much better decision financially. Basically I am depressed and confused, I always wanted to be a doctor but I think that with my intelligence and work ethic I can make a lot more money in finance/law fields. I want to know is anyone else thinking of not applying to medical school because of this healthcare reform and uncertain future or am I the only one? It would also be refreshing if someone would list some of the positives of being a doctor since you rarely hear them anymore.

Turn around, RUN, and never look back.

Don't listen to the dumb premeds who think they'll save the world and to medical students who think that '150K is insane money'... after 10 years of BRUTAL training and quarter of millions of dollars in debt... LOL.

Listen... I got it relatively good... I am about to finish my training and I am aiming at a +400K for a start, 50h/week, no call job. I am clearly an exception.

And you know what? If I could turn the clock 10 years, to this fateful moment when I chose to pursue wicked field of medicine, I gladly would shred my medschool application and toss it off the white cliffs of Dover.

But, but.... you're saying.... "Why are you complaining, you got a sweet deal. Why do you come here to premed board to whine?", you're saying.


Opportunity cost and endured sacrifices. And ever-decreasing reimbursements. Medicine is just not worth it. It's not.

Remember... white cliffs of Dover.

 

[mvenus929]

Are you applying again this cycle? What do you think held you back last time around?

Yes, I am. I was unrealistic in my school choices, for one. I was young, and though I didn't realize it at the time, I was very inexperienced and came off as such. I didn't have as much clinical experience as I should've. Much of the things I put on my application I couldn't really talk about at interviews because I hadn't done them long enough. Other things the interviewers didn't take seriously for one reason or another. Lots of little things that added up.

I've changed a lot in the past two years; I have a more realistic view of the 'outside' world, especially since I got out of school last May. I've addressed the weaknesses in my application as best I could. If I don't get in this time around, it's most definitely me, and not my background, that's holding me back. And at that point, it'll be time to move on to another field.

Are you kidding me????? 4.0 and above 30+...you still didn't get in.....God, this is so discouraging....I think I should just give up.....My god, I can't believe this.......The most depressing time of the day!

Don't give up, just be realistic in your choices. There are plenty of people with stats lower than mine who get in. I had the academics to back up my application, I just didn't bulk up my application enough in other places. I didn't know what I was doing come interview time, and I'm a huge introvert, so interviews were very hard for me.

 

[neuro1986]

You have people who you can practice your interview with (professors, research mentors, physicians, or anyone with an idea of what you will expect and how you should perform)- especially given that you are an introvert and interviews might not be your cup of tea- I really do hope that you make the best use of practicing. Also, do you have someone to look over your secondaries?

 

[mvenus929]

You have people who you can practice your interview with (professors, research mentors, physicians, or anyone with an idea of what you will expect and how you should perform)- especially given that you are an introvert and interviews might not be your cup of tea- I really do hope that you make the best use of practicing. Also, do you have someone to look over your secondaries?

Again, I've made leaps and bounds of progress in the past two years. I had to interview twice for the job I have... once when I was first hired, and once when I moved from PRN to full time. I had to interview for the med tech program at our hospital (which started Monday, actually). I obviously got the job, and I was accepted to the med tech program... I decided not to do it, because it wasn't what I really wanted to do in the end. I have one-on-one interactions with people all the time now due to the two jobs I hold. Interviewing is still a weakness, but not nearly as much as it used to be.

I do have people looking over my secondaries, but that's not really a concern of mine. I can write like there's no tomorrow; it's articulating in speech that is against my nature.

 

[guestdoc]

Turn around, RUN, and never look back.

Don't listen to the dumb premeds who think they'll save the world and to medical students who think that '150K is insane money'... after 10 years of BRUTAL training and quarter of millions of dollars in debt... LOL.

Listen... I got it relatively good... I am about to finish my training and I am aiming at a +400K for a start, 50h/week, no call job. I am clearly an exception.

And you know what? If I could turn the clock 10 years, to this fateful moment when I chose to pursue wicked field of medicine, I gladly would shred my medschool application and toss it off the white cliffs of Dover.

But, but.... you're saying.... "Why are you complaining, you got a sweet deal. Why do you come here to premed board to whine?", you're saying.


Opportunity cost and endured sacrifices. And ever-decreasing reimbursements. Medicine is just not worth it. It's not.

Remember... white cliffs of Dover.

I've been hearing a lot of this lately, and frankly, it's coming from some trusted sources as well as from strangers like nilf and others.

Best of luck to you, nilf. I hope all turns out well for me, but if all goes as I've heard from some docs and residents that I know, I'll just have to shake my head and whisper "white cliffs of Dover" in respect to your prophecy. 🙁

 

[Nilf]

I've been hearing a lot of this lately, and frankly, it's coming from some trusted sources as well as from strangers like nilf and others.

Best of luck to you, nilf. I hope all turns out well for me, but if all goes as I've heard from some docs and residents that I know, I'll just have to shake my head and whisper "white cliffs of Dover" in respect to your prophecy. 🙁

Talk to doctors. Read about trends in doctors' job satisfaction. Read the news. Read about how much doctors make in European countries which have socialized medicine. Read about how often doctors in Germany go on A FREAKEN STRIKE. Read about malpractice crisis and how Democrats refuse to address it. Read about how Medicare fixes the prices. Read about Stark laws. Do your homework NOW, not after you're hundreds of thousands dollars in debt, having spent your twenties and early thirties in hospital.

Hoping that somehow everything will be OK constitutes magical thinking on your part.

I hope all turns well for you too, that's why I advise you NOT TO GO TO MEDICAL SCHOOL.

 

[herbb]

Talk to doctors. Read about trends in doctors' job satisfaction. Read the news. Read about how much doctors make in European countries which have socialized medicine. Read about how often doctors in Germany go on A FREAKEN STRIKE. Read about malpractice crisis and how Democrats refuse to address it. Read about how Medicare fixes the prices. Read about Stark laws. Do your homework NOW, not after you're hundreds of thousands dollars in debt, having spent your twenties and early thirties in hospital.

Hoping that somehow everything will be OK constitutes magical thinking on your part.

I hope all turns well for you too, that's why I advise you NOT TO GO TO MEDICAL SCHOOL.

"Indeed, a 2004 study by UK economic research group NERA showed German hospital physicians at the rock bottom of a list of 11 western countries in terms of compensation, earning between 35,000 and 65,000 euros ($41,000 to $77,000) per year. A similar OECD study showed German physicians earning 15 percent less than their counterparts in the UK, and 40 percent less than US doctors."

"
The doctors' cause was recently dealt a PR blow when German Health Minister Ulla Schmidt publicly called their 30 percent pay hike demand "unrealistic" and said the parties should sit down and find a solution, fast.

Traunstein Clinic's Teufer pointed out that in places where doctors earn more, the care is either much more expensive, or less extensive, than in Germany.

"The countries that pay their doctors more often have more restrictions on benefits. Patients have to wait longer for treatment -- in Holland you can wait six months for a hip replacement, and here you get it in four to six weeks," he said.

"Germany still tries to provide a lot of its medicine via the state -- and makes it immediately available. That costs a lot, and we don’t have a lot of money available. It is done at the expense of the doctors.""


Last part is kind of scary and rings a bell to what is happening in U.S.


Strike in 2006
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,1942544,00.html

 

[FutureCTDoc]

Socialized medicine in the US just like in Germany will be at the expense of docs. The tax rate hike will effect MDs/DOs disproportionately. President Obama will cut reimbursements disproportionately to procedure intensive specialties. Here is a thought let's socialize the lawyers. MD/DO reimbursement for cataracts was historically 1980 2,000 per, today non-premiums are 800, the equivalent reimbursement today would be $5160 and the present reimbursement $283 in 1980 dollars.

 

[plaz]

But NILF! What if it is what you have ALWAYS wanted to do!? I could not see myself in ANY other job. I would be a doctor for 60k/year (if med school costs went down, that is). Anyway...

All the clinical experience I have had (which means very little, I know, thank you) leads me to believe I would love spending day after day in the hospital because the human body amazes me. I like the atmosphere that is there when I volunteer. To me, it wouldn't be work! It would be living a dream!!!!

What do you say to people like me?

 

[guestdoc]

Talk to doctors. Read about trends in doctors' job satisfaction. Read the news. Read about how much doctors make in European countries which have socialized medicine. Read about how often doctors in Germany go on A FREAKEN STRIKE. Read about malpractice crisis and how Democrats refuse to address it. Read about how Medicare fixes the prices. Read about Stark laws. Do your homework NOW, not after you're hundreds of thousands dollars in debt, having spent your twenties and early thirties in hospital.

Hoping that somehow everything will be OK constitutes magical thinking on your part.

I hope all turns well for you too, that's why I advise you NOT TO GO TO MEDICAL SCHOOL.

Heh, well the trusted sources were doctors and residents. My brother is a resident in an awesome position and we talk about all of it a lot. For the record, people, he says something similar to nilf, except more of a "if there is anything else you could be happy doing--literally, anything, do it. If not, be a stupid doctor, 'cause that's what you are if you choose to do it."

And so... I realize to some extent (better than most who don't have family in the middle of it or who have been through it) the decision I'm making.

Come on, magical thinking....

 

[plaz]

Besides... all of this arguing about socializing medicine is mute. No body with any money (aka THE POWER) is going to let some liberal idealist take their money and spread it around: be that person Obama or any other future president. Money is too important in America, which I consider a good thing, incidentally.

 

[guestdoc]

But NILF! What if it is what you have ALWAYS wanted to do!? I could not see myself in ANY other job. I would be a doctor for 60k/year (if med school costs went down, that is). Anyway...

All the clinical experience I have had (which means very little, I know, thank you) leads me to believe I would love spending day after day in the hospital because the human body amazes me. I like the atmosphere that is there when I volunteer. To me, it wouldn't be work! It would be living a dream!!!!

What do you say to people like me?

That you are a fool for thinking that the politicians, businessmen, lawyers and administrators that take your would-be compensation will use it in a more altruistic way than you would.

Selfless monk-doctors unite and let the money go to raving businesspeople!!

 

[plaz]

This is ridiculous! THERE ARE HAPPY DOCTORS EVERYWHERE. I bet more doctors are happier with their professions than not. Sometimes I wonder if all of this "medicine is horrible... get out now" junk is just others trying to rid themselves of a little competition in gaining acceptance to med school.

Most doctors LOVE what they do!

 

[plaz]

That you are a fool for thinking that the politicians, businessmen, lawyers and administrators that will take your would-be compensation will use it in a more altruistic way than you would.

Um... non sequitur? Why would I care whether they use the money altruistically or not. That has nothing to do with what I was saying... 😕

 

[macbookpro1234]

Sorry if I came off as arrogant I understand nothing is guaranteed. Anyway I know the european medical system is pretty bad for doctors but why doesn't anyone ever mention Canada. They seem to have it much nicer than European doctors. Their salaries aren't much lower than the Americans. If US does go socialized I think(or at least hope) it would be closer to Canada's system than Germany. I'm also curious as to why all the pre-meds that come up with these horror stories the future of medicine still apply to medical school?

 

[herbb]

Besides... all of this arguing about socializing medicine is mute. No body with any money (aka THE POWER) is going to let some liberal idealist take their money and spread it around: be that person Obama or any other future president. Money is too important in America, which I consider a good thing, incidentally.

I don't know...just to cite a counter example (maybe a stupid one), but Nancy Pelosi is very well off and she is in support of the plan.

"The Pelosi family has a net worth of nearly $19 million as of 2007, largely from investments. In addition to their large portfolio of jointly owned San Francisco Bay Area real estate, the couple also owns a vineyard in St. Helena, California, valued at $5 million to $25 million. Pelosi's husband also owns stock, including $5 million in Apple Computer. Pelosi continues to be among the richest members of Congress.[7]"

from wiki

 

[SuperSaiyan3]

this is the first post by the OP...this got me thinking...hmmmmm

THE OP IS APPLEANESTHESIA! the same bag of douche who posted that ridiculous lie about his life as an anesthesiologist. "skool". ya I believe you. NOT.

I'm sure everybody has noticed that his name is MAC. as in "apple" computers mac. Similar to "apple" anesthesia.

Dude, get a life. Stop trying to fool people into bailing out of the competition so you'll get a better chance. This is just pathetic.

A message from SS3.

 

[herbb]

Um... non sequitur? Why would I care whether they use the money altruistically or not. That has nothing to do with what I was saying... 😕

I think he is saying in effect that why would you do something for a reduced fee, when you can be paid more for it, no matter how much you enjoy what you do. Secondly, why would you be so eagerly willing take a huge pay cut just so that the money will go back to lawyers or the government who don't deserve the money any more than you do.

 

[plaz]

THE OP IS APPLEANESTHESIA!

I'm sure everybody has noticed that his name is MAC. as in "apple" computers mac. Similar to "apple" anesthesia.

That's a stretch.

 

[guestdoc]

Um... non sequitur? Why would I care whether they use the money altruistically or not. That has nothing to do with what I was saying... 😕

Ok, build a bridge: Where do you think that money is going to go? If your example-person doesn't care how they use the money, and would really be happy taking the 60k, then best to them.

For me, if doctor's salaries were cut like that, you better believe I'd want to know where the pieces are going. In your hypothetical situation with a student that really thought that way, I would respond that they are a fool and a coward for allowing their compensation to fall prey to administration and greedy business.

Just looking at the big picture. A 30-something-year-old young physician with 60k a year, a dream, and an oblivious smile is missing the big picture. 😉

 

[guestdoc]

I think he is saying in effect that why would you do something for a reduced fee, when you can be paid more for it, no matter how much you enjoy what you do. Secondly, why would you be so eagerly willing take a huge pay cut just so that the money will go back to lawyers or the government who don't deserve the money any more than you do.

👍

'night everyone, time to get some sleep. Best to all!

 

[red10]

I'm just gonna throw out there that just about every person I know hates their job and would rather be doing something else. They all look back and think "If I had only known, I woulda done this different".

I know doctors have all this stuff coming up that they need to worry about, pay cuts, health care reform blah blah blah, but honestly, every job has something that is comparable that threatens their job or their lifestyle or w/e. One thing a lot of other fields don't have that doctors do is job security. They can't outsource a surgeon (at least not any time soon)

I guess what I'm trying to say is:
ITS NOT JUST DOCTORS.
and
The grass is always greener...

 

[Nilf]

But NILF! What if it is what you have ALWAYS wanted to do!? I could not see myself in ANY other job. I would be a doctor for 60k/year (if med school costs went down, that is). Anyway...

All the clinical experience I have had (which means very little, I know, thank you) leads me to believe I would love spending day after day in the hospital because the human body amazes me. I like the atmosphere that is there when I volunteer. To me, it wouldn't be work! It would be living a dream!!!!

What do you say to people like me?

To you I say:

The difference between you and a real doctor is the same as that between a moviegoer and the soldiers storming beaches of Normandy in 'Saving Private Ryan'.

Seems like fun? Think again...

You CANNOT... I repeat CANNOT claim that clinical experience is great because YOU HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED IT.

The awe of the complexity of human body gets diluted in the tremendously monotone, yet extremely stressfull day-to-day clinical experience like a drop of wine in an ocean of piss.

Your dream will be a nightmare.

 

[plaz]

I think he is saying in effect that why would you do something for a reduced fee, when you can be paid more for it, no matter how much you enjoy what you do. Secondly, why would you be so eagerly willing take a huge pay cut just so that the money will go back to lawyers or the government who don't deserve the money any more than you do.

👍

'night everyone, time to get some sleep. Best to all!

I never said I was willing. I said I wouldn't care. I'm indifferent. Would I take the money? Yes. Would I work with other doctors, join some sort of union-like group, fight the government for my money? Yes, to a point, but I wouldn't skip out on medicine for it.

 

[atallen2]

I am getting sick of hearing about people "second-guessing" themselves. It doesn't matter what career you select, whether you are a butcher a baker or a candlestick maker....everyone has at some point in their career doubted whether or not it was a wise decision.
I am not saying going into medicine is not something that shouldn't be taken lightly...before you apply you better be damn sure you want it...but everyone needs to realize that any person in any job wonders if they could do better.
I think the most disturbing part of the original post at the beginning of this thread is how the writer talks about money so much.
Is money a nice perk of being a doctor...yes...but I don't think it should EVER be the deciding factor.
It doesn't matter if you are a doctor or lawyer...if you just go into either field for the money you are going to be miserable.
Just food for though.

 

[plaz]

To you I say:

The difference between you and a real doctor is the same as that between a moviegoer and the soldiers storming the beaches in Normandy in 'Saving Private Ryan'.

Seems like fun? Think again...

You CANNOT... I repeat CANNOT claim that clinical experience is great because YOU HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED IT.

The awe of the complexity of human body gets diluted in the tremendously monotone, yet extremely stressfull day-to-day clinical experience like a drop of wine in an ocean of piss.

Your dream will be a nightmare.

First of all, how do we even know you're a doctor? (It has to be asked...)

Second of all, you are right about the movie thing. Doctor shows did make me want to be a doctor. Scrubs, House, and ER are still what keeps me motivated when I'm thinking about giving up and getting an A- in ochem. Is that pathetic? Yeah, I think so. Would I change it if I could? Yes. Can I? Yes, probably if I went out and looked hard enough for something else that would interest me. Do I think I would find anything just looking around? No.

What else would I do? Teachers get paid crap. Dentists... maybe, but wouldn't dentists be in the same boat as doctors? I think so. (And for the record, I doubt I would love being a dentist even if a great dental drama aired on Fox or something. It just has good hours and pays well, so I have and continue to consider it.)

 

[SteinUmStein]

To you I say:

The difference between you and a real doctor is the same as that between a moviegoer and the soldiers storming beaches of Normandy in 'Saving Private Ryan'.

Seems like fun? Think again...

You CANNOT... I repeat CANNOT claim that clinical experience is great because YOU HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED IT.

The awe of the complexity of human body gets diluted in the tremendously monotone, yet extremely stressfull day-to-day clinical experience like a drop of wine in an ocean of piss.

Your dream will be a nightmare.

Actually, the truth in this scares me 100x more than any threat to my future paycheck. I could care less how idealistic it sounds, but doctors will ALWAYS make a decent living, and I have no desire for my family to be any more than upper middle class, as I've grown up middle class and I've done just fine. If anything, it builds a little character.

However, beyond the sunshine and rainbows of premed-land lies an "ocean of piss" diluting the "drop of wine" of medical discovery and altruistic warm fuzziness.

My uncle is a physician at a major medical center, and he's ok with what he does, but he admits that it's nothing like what he envisioned it would be when he was applying to med school.

Yet here I am, filling out secondaries... FML

 

[macbookpro1234]

THE OP IS APPLEANESTHESIA! the same bag of douche who posted that ridiculous lie about his life as an anesthesiologist. "skool". ya I believe you. NOT.

I'm sure everybody has noticed that his name is MAC. as in "apple" computers mac. Similar to "apple" anesthesia.

Dude, get a life. Stop trying to fool people into bailing out of the competition so you'll get a better chance. This is just pathetic.

A message from SS3.

I have no idea who you are talking about. I will admit that I am a regular poster on SDN and have used it a lot for personal statements and etc. I made a new Screen name because frankly I am embarrassed for having doubts. Anyway what does it matter who I am, I'm just trying to have a discussion your the one thats so pathetic for getting so offensive.

 

[SteinUmStein]

To you I say:

The difference between you and a real doctor is the same as that between a moviegoer and the soldiers storming beaches of Normandy in 'Saving Private Ryan'.

I don't know, Normandy doesn't look that all that bad:

http://www.todaysbigthing.com/2009/07/08

 

[GTV]

My doctor from back home told me to never ever go into medicine. He talked to me for a half an hour at my physical about how bad our healthcare system is, how much debt he was in after medical school, how Obama was going to screw doctors over, how his residency resulted in a divorce, and how I would be so much happier as an engineer (my college major). However, the doctor I shadowed told me that it was a lot of work, but that it was also very rewarding and would be worth it, but ONLY IF there is nothing else you could possibly see yourself doing.

 

[gbu730]

ummm so Doctors' Diaries on PBS really spoke to the depth of my concerns...In this 21-year study, out of the 7 harvard med school grads, 4 male and 3 female, all guys got divorced at least once, one female got married in her late 30s/early 40s, and the other two still single. I had a nervous break-down when I watched it.

BUT.....Hearing things like that WOULD NOT PREVENT me from pursuing medicine, not that I don't mind being an old maid with the cats, nor that I would be in debt forever. Even if I give up medicine, there is no guarantee of living happily ever after. The ability to save lives and help people is what motivates me pursue medcine. None of us has been in medical school; none of us has been through residency. It'll just be silly to give up on what matters to me now and wait for what might be essentially be non-existing.

Plus there is always alternatives. I figure I can take up other career options even within the medical field if things don't work out for me as a doctor, like teaching or doing research. Who knows.

I, and a lot of premeds too I'm sure, don't want to settle for anything less than what we are meant to do.

 

[ensuii]

ummm so Doctors' Diaries on PBS really spoke to the depth of my concerns...In this 21-year study, out of the 7 harvard med school grads, 4 male and 3 female, all guys got divorced at least once, one female got married in her late 30s/early 40s, and the other two still single. I had a nervous break-down when I watched it.

BUT.....Hearing things like that WOULD NOT PREVENT me from pursuing medicine, not that I don't mind being an old maid with the cats, nor that I would be in debt forever. Even if I give up medicine, there is no guarantee of living happily ever after. The ability to save lives and help people is what motivates me pursue medcine. None of us has been in medical school; none of us has been through residency. It'll just be silly to give up on what matters to me now and wait for what might be essentially be non-existing.

Plus there is always alternatives. I figure I can take up other career options even within the medical field if things don't work out for me as a doctor, like teaching or doing research. Who knows.

I, and a lot of premeds too I'm sure, don't want to settle for anything less than what we are meant to do.

When watching things like that you have to consider that their lifestyles are a result of their choices and not their professor. You can be a physician and stay happily married if you have your priorities straight. To me, they sounded like the type to be content being married to their career (which isn't a bad thing, I could very easily see myself in similar situation 10 years down the road).

 

[chiz2kul]

When watching things like that you have to consider that their lifestyles are a result of their choices and not (just) their profession.

+++++++1

Nilf a.k.a Dr. Doom&Gloom is back to scare the young kiddos.. 😀

 

[osumc2014]

Macbookpro1234, I'm really glad you started this thread in the mist of application season...😕

 

[osumc2014]

So are there any success stories? Any medical student, resident, fellow, or attending willing to defend their profession???

 

[plaz]

Does anyone know if Nilf is who he says he is? I mean, I could be lying about who I am, too, but his claims carry a lot more water if he's really a doctor.