High and low status specialities.

[Singh]

Hello,

Which specialities are considered high and low status specialities respectively?

I've heard many say that Psychiatry and Family medicine belong to the lower end, while Thoraxsurgery, Neurosurgery, Plasticsurgery and Anaesthesiology belong to the high end. Would you agree?

This so-called "status-list" doesn't really affect my choice of speciality, but it's interesting to read how my fellow students rate different specialities.

 

[skypilot]

I think if you talked to the general public they would put Emergency Medicine and Neurosurgery as high status. I don't think they would put Plastic Surgery or Derm as high status because they think they only do boob jobs and Botox.

Family medicine can be very high status if you are one of a few doctors in a town. Or if you are everybody's favorite doctor with a long list of patients waiting for appointments. Or if you saved someone from diabetes complications or caught their cancer in time.

Anesthesiologists- the general public doesn't understand the job. Radiologists they think are technicians.

Most doctors would not put Emergency Med or Anesthesia as high status.

 

[Law2Doc]

Hello,

Which specialities are considered high and low status specialities respectively?

I've heard many say that Psychiatry and Family medicine belong to the lower end, while Thoraxsurgery, Neurosurgery, Plasticsurgery and Anaesthesiology belong to the high end. Would you agree?

This so-called "status-list" doesn't really affect my choice of speciality, but it's interesting to read how my fellow students rate different specialities.

Nobody in the profession talks of high versus low status. They may divide specialties into degrees of competitiveness, or years of training, and salary often follows these distinctions, but certainly as a prior poster has indicated, the public would not have a clue as to such competitiveness distinctions. If you want to impress people at large (outside the medical community) with status, it matters little what specialty you have, but what toys you buy. Drive a porsche, get yourself a trophy wife, wear armani, and people will regard you as a status symbol (and a pretentious SOB). You can achieve this outward form of "status" just as easilly as a FP as you can as a dermatologist. Not sure if you would want to, but if it rocks your boat, super.

 

[quideam]

*groan* Can't this sort of silliness be reserved for the pre-allo forum? Come on, there must be better things to start threads about.... how about: "Opinions on cheese: choosing the better taste or texture?" <rolls eyes>

 

[Law2Doc]

*groan* Can't this sort of silliness be reserved for the pre-allo forum? Come on, there must be better things to start threads about.... how about: "Opinions on cheese: choosing the better taste or texture?" <rolls eyes>

I say texture.

 

[quideam]

Texture?? that's just silly. Clearly your MCAT/SAT/USMLE scores weren't very good or else you'd know that taste is way better.

 

[Law2Doc]

Texture?? that's just silly. Clearly your MCAT/SAT/USMLE scores weren't very good or else you'd know that taste is way better.

Darn multiple choice tests...

 

[skypilot]

*groan* Can't this sort of silliness be reserved for the pre-allo forum? Come on, there must be better things to start threads about.... how about: "Opinions on cheese: choosing the better taste or texture?" <rolls eyes>

You can't beat the texture of a good Leiderkranz as it rolls off your tongue. Both the cost and the smell of that cheese confer high status.

 

[quideam]

You can't beat the texture of a good Leiderkranz as it rolls off your tongue. Both the cost and the smell of that cheese confer high status.

I agree, the smellier the better... but then again, most people seem to like the basic american/ swiss/ cheddar families of cheeses. So should i choose a simpler cheese or go for the smelly ones?? I want to make sure that people really respect my cheese choice.

 

[skypilot]

I agree, the smellier the better... but then again, most people seem to like the basic american/ swiss/ cheddar families of cheeses. So should i choose a simpler cheese or go for the smelly ones?? I want to make sure that people really respect my cheese choice.

I would go for imported and smelly so when you cut the cheese everyone will know that you are a connoisseur of fine cheeses.

 

[Simonster]

I agree, the smellier the better... but then again, most people seem to like the basic american/ swiss/ cheddar families of cheeses. So should i choose a simpler cheese or go for the smelly ones?? I want to make sure that people really respect my cheese choice.

They just don't know what they're missing. I think we are missing a vital piece of the question, though - what wine are we drinking with said cheese?

 

[Law2Doc]

They just don't know what they're missing. I think we are missing a vital piece of the question, though - what wine are we drinking with said cheese?

Kiwi flavored Mogen David.

 

[quideam]

oooh... fancy

 

[Law2Doc]

oooh... fancy

It's a "status" thing.

 

[OwnageMobile]

Hello,

Which specialities are considered high and low status specialities respectively?

I've heard many say that Psychiatry and Family medicine belong to the lower end, while Thoraxsurgery, Neurosurgery, Plasticsurgery and Anaesthesiology belong to the high end. Would you agree?

This so-called "status-list" doesn't really affect my choice of speciality, but it's interesting to read how my fellow students rate different specialities.

There is probably a close correlation between "status" and comptetittion for residency slots imho. Now in the public's eye, things may be skewed a bit.

mmm blue cheese...

 

[blkkd]

To Law2Doc and guideam "Much RESPECK"- Dylan...i haven't seen a thread jacking this well orchestrated since the ice cream fiasco of '42....

 

[quideam]

To Law2Doc and guideam "Much RESPECK"- Dylan...i haven't seen a thread jacking this well orchestrated since the ice cream fiasco of '42....

that's quideam, with a "Q" as in Dairy "Q"ueen... as in mmm... ice cream did you say???

And what's this about blue cheese?? Next thing you know, they'll be out there like the family medicine guys eating their low-prestige mozz string cheese and thinking they're all 'cool' or something! Sheesh

Q

 

[Simonster]

that's quideam, with a "Q" as in Dairy "Q"ueen... as in mmm... ice cream did you say???

And what's this about blue cheese?? Next thing you know, they'll be out there like the family medicine guys eating their low-prestige mozz string cheese and thinking they're all 'cool' or something! Sheesh

Q

I thought they ate that kraft powder cheddar. Or is that peds? Well, back to the OP's question: I'm thinking about psychiatry because I think it will be an awesome field to get into. And if I had the choice of doing something massively more competitive, like derm, I wouldn't take it. Because when I look at skin, I get bored. And yes I know that dermatologists have to know a lot...but I still just get bored when i think about it. When I think about the brain & behavior and working with crazies like myself, I get excited. So why are you concerned about status? Who would you like to impress? I don't mean that in a negative way, but it would be interesting to know.

Also, what is your favorite cheese?
If you like brie, you may also want to consider psychiatry. I consider brie medium status, but if you pair it with the right fruit it is wonderful.

 

[yellowcat322]

What if you like Kraft American singles -- you know, the ones that say "processed cheese food" -( still trying to figure out what that's all about.) I guess if you're eating that, you should be in chiropractor college -no?

 

[quideam]

What if you like Kraft American singles -- you know, the ones that say "processed cheese food" -( still trying to figure out what that's all about.) I guess if you're eating that, you should be in chiropractor college -no?

Well, technically yes, but if you just make it a point to have a little high-end cheese during public appearances, then you should be able to pass yourself off as a "real" doctor. Maybe even as a plastic surgeon, if you throw in a little Marlot and bring a cute blonde chick with you

 

[ShyRem]

dang.. the really sad part about this thread is I grew up in a house where we regularly had wine and cheese tasting parties. I have still never had cheeze-whiz. Or blue-box macaroni and cheese. Gimme my gruyere, irish cheddar, and triple-cream brie.

 

[Immolatis]

mmm, a nice pinot noir or red zin and a slice of epoisse!

Talk about smelly cheese, imagine walking into the animal section of the county fair, taking a biiiig inhalation (you know the kind where you can taste the smells - think day 1 of gross lab)

THAT is one of God's good foods

 

[surrender903]

people people... we are missing the IMPORTANT FACT HERE :

do you say centimeter or ceauntemeter!??!?!!!

"honey id like another ceauntemter of chese" ( neuro)

"wench, cut me off another hunk of that shiznit" (FP,psych)

 

[blkkd]

that's quideam, with a "Q" as in Dairy "Q"ueen... as in mmm... ice cream did you say???

And what's this about blue cheese?? Next thing you know, they'll be out there like the family medicine guys eating their low-prestige mozz string cheese and thinking they're all 'cool' or something! Sheesh

Q

Sorry I can barely read because well i'm a future gastro...we rock kraft singles...

 

[Sustiva]

By "high status," do you mean most competitive residencies/fellowships???

 

[Sustiva]

By "high status," do you mean most competitive residencies/fellowships???

 

[Law2Doc]

By "high status," do you mean most competitive residencies/fellowships???

I think we decided they were talking about cheese.

 

[lnn2]

"Opinions on cheese: choosing the better taste or texture?" <rolls eyes>

it depends on what you do with it!

 

[Singh]

By "high status," do you mean most competitive residencies/fellowships???

Yes you can say that.

 

[PiccoloPlaya82]

If you want to impress people at large (outside the medical community) with status, it matters little what specialty you have, but what toys you buy. Drive a porsche, get yourself a trophy wife...

How about a Porsche with a jacuzzi in the back along with a trophy husband?

 

[Pollicis]

I'd much rather have the respect of my peers any day over the respect of my neighbor, who almost invariably happens to be a bit of an idiot.

 

[MSHell]

re: status
do what you like, and do it well.

re: cheese
depends on what it is being consummed with and my mood, but my favorites are brie, camembert and emmenthal

 

[run4boston]

Hello,

Which specialities are considered high and low status specialities respectively?

I've heard many say that Psychiatry and Family medicine belong to the lower end, while Thoraxsurgery, Neurosurgery, Plasticsurgery and Anaesthesiology belong to the high end. Would you agree?

This so-called "status-list" doesn't really affect my choice of speciality, but it's interesting to read how my fellow students rate different specialities.

Sure, I think in general, med students may put neurosurgeon into a 'higher status' than family practice because of the relative difficulty of entry, time commitment, and apparent 'stress-level'. But, I don't think a neurosurgeon is any more important to society than a family practice physician. After all, who does the average person go to more often when they are sick? (assuming he/she don't have a neurological disorder).

 

[run4boston]

Hello,

Which specialities are considered high and low status specialities respectively?

I've heard many say that Psychiatry and Family medicine belong to the lower end, while Thoraxsurgery, Neurosurgery, Plasticsurgery and Anaesthesiology belong to the high end. Would you agree?

This so-called "status-list" doesn't really affect my choice of speciality, but it's interesting to read how my fellow students rate different specialities.

Sure, I think in general, med students may put neurosurgeon into a 'higher status' than family practice because of the relative difficulty of entry, time commitment, and apparent 'stress-level'. But, I don't think a neurosurgeon is any more important to society than a family practice physician. After all, who does the average person go to more often when they are sick? (assuming he/she doesn't have a neurological disorder).

 

[OwnageMobile]

Sure, I think in general, med students may put neurosurgeon into a 'higher status' than family practice because of the relative difficulty of entry, time commitment, and apparent 'stress-level'. But, I don't think a neurosurgeon is any more important to society than a family practice physician. After all, who does the average person go to more often when they are sick? (assuming he/she doesn't have a neurological disorder).

 

[ddmo]

In no specific order.

Lay Person:
Neurosurgery
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Transplant Surgeon
Orthopaedics
Other surgical specialties
ER doc

Competitive Residencies:
Dermotology
Opthamology
Neurosurgery
ENT
Orthopaedics
Radiology
Integrated Plastics

Just to name a few.

 

[DrBowtie]

In no specific order.

Lay Person:
Neurosurgery
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Transplant Surgeon
Orthopaedics
Other surgical specialties
ER doc

Competitive Residencies:
Dermotology
Opthamology
Neurosurgery
ENT
Orthopaedics
Radiology
Integrated Plastics

Just to name a few.

Off topic but one of your posts is used in the about section as an example of how to report a post with the red triangle.

 

[Paws]

Well, I think about family practice and I would say it is all in how you play it. I mean, you could be a NS in a big city and have all the flash and whatever. Is that prestigous? maybe, depends on your outlook. Is this person happy with their mindnumbing residency requirements, their lack of time (=life?) and that maybe they can't seem to hold onto a spouse? Ok, you know what I mean.

As a family practitioner, I can practice in a rural area and have a small farm. Raise my kids in the big fields out back and have my friendly neighbor down the street watch them when I am at work. I can do: radiology, surgery, peds, geriatrics,a little hematology, and whatever else happens to walk in that day. Oh yes! ER trauma, and house calls.

So I think I get to have a pretty fulfilling career and still have my little family raised in a nice environment. That seems pretty prestigous to me, how can you look down on that?

 

[Poety]

people people... we are missing the IMPORTANT FACT HERE :

do you say centimeter or ceauntemeter!??!?!!!

"honey id like another ceauntemter of chese" ( neuro)

"wench, cut me off another hunk of that shiznit" (FP,psych)

I'm going into psych and thats "wench, cut me off another hunk of that landolakes white american" if you want to know how its REALLY done

 

[run4boston]

Well, I think about family practice and I would say it is all in how you play it. I mean, you could be a NS in a big city and have all the flash and whatever. Is that prestigous? maybe, depends on your outlook. Is this person happy with their mindnumbing residency requirements, their lack of time (=life?) and that maybe they can't seem to hold onto a spouse? Ok, you know what I mean.

As a family practitioner, I can practice in a rural area and have a small farm. Raise my kids in the big fields out back and have my friendly neighbor down the street watch them when I am at work. I can do: radiology, surgery, peds, geriatrics,a little hematology, and whatever else happens to walk in that day. Oh yes! ER trauma, and house calls.

So I think I get to have a pretty fulfilling career and still have my little family raised in a nice environment. That seems pretty prestigous to me, how can you look down on that?

sounds like a plan!

 

[kryptokal]

Status is not only a ridiculous measure of a specialty's worth, but these kinds of labels often change with the times.

10-15 years ago, tell someone you're an anesthesiologist or ER doc, people wouldn't have "ooh'd" and "aaah'd" like they do now. But supply and demand changed. 20 years ago, say you're an obstetrician or general surgeon, people thought you were the begin-all and end-all of medicine. Now? People feel sorry for you if you're in those fields.

The moral of the story?

Internal Medicine is the pits, no matter when or where you are...

just kidding.

 

[rpkall]

Some specialties ARE more difficult to get into, they DO require an increased time commitment, and they ARE higher stress. More power to my peers who want to be neurosurgeons. The problem is that when you spend your entire life working towards a goal that begins to define your humanity, you start looking down at other people with a more well-rounded, realistic approach to a fulfilling life not entirely focused on career achievement. Medical students and residents are especially good at this, since most are type-A folks who are goal-oriented, reward-focused, and competitive by nature. That's the road to happiness, I hear.

 

[Elysium]

Some of this sounds like the typical sort of pollyanna pre-med bullsh1t. If you don't think that other doctors preceive prestige b/w specialities, you're being niave. Every speciality sh1ts on every other specialty (med thinks surg are not intellectual and do nothing besides cut, surg thinks med can't do anything and just round endlessly, ortho can't do anything besides play with powertools and can't manage hypertension p a consult, etc. etc. etc. And everyone sh1ts on FP). I think there are certainly docs that other docs respect (grudgingly, perhaps): neurosurg, CT surg, cards/IV cards, IV rads, hand surgeons, peds surgeons, etc. Most of this is born out of the sheer tenacity it takes to complete training in these fields (I would guess), but also out of the intellectual and/or manual dexterity required to do these jobs.

There are certainly some great FPs, but it would be remiss to think that they garner the slavish respect of the medical community. I think if you took a poll of residents/attendings/4th years they would fall towards the bottom of the "respect" meter. Maybe because their jobs are being edged out by NPs and PAs who have 2 years of post grad training (and seem to be just as competent).

 

[run4boston]

Some of this sounds like the typical sort of pollyanna pre-med bullsh1t. If you don't think that other doctors preceive prestige b/w specialities, you're being niave. Every speciality sh1ts on every other specialty (med thinks surg are not intellectual and do nothing besides cut, surg thinks med can't do anything and just round endlessly, ortho can't do anything besides play with powertools and can't manage hypertension p a consult, etc. etc. etc. And everyone sh1ts on FP). I think there are certainly docs that other docs respect (grudgingly, perhaps): neurosurg, CT surg, cards/IV cards, IV rads, hand surgeons, peds surgeons, etc. Most of this is born out of the sheer tenacity it takes to complete training in these fields (I would guess), but also out of the intellectual and/or manual dexterity required to do these jobs.

There are certainly some great FPs, but it would be remiss to think that they garner the slavish respect of the medical community. I think if you took a poll of residents/attendings/4th years they would fall towards the bottom of the "respect" meter. Maybe because their jobs are being edged out by NPs and PAs who have 2 years of post grad training (and seem to be just as competent).

it's probably this way for all professions.

 

[MedStar]

People are so cool! Wow you are special in that you wasted time and space turning one's posting into a conversation of cheese. Man that is cool!

To the OP I hope you got an answer to your query.
I apologize on behalf of my colleagues for their immaturity. Unfortunately this event took place on your post however it is a good example of what happens in real life.

There are people out there that will behave this way towards you, show you no respect, complete disregard for your questions or opinions.
I guess if you didnt get any answers, you at least may have learned a life lesson.

Cheers

 

[freshity]

well i'd say if you are primarily learning such "important life lessons" related to how people interact in the real world (emphasis on real) via an internet forum, then 1)that's really unfortunate, but 2)let it wash over and envelop you like the glow of the computer screen against your skin. what else have you got?

another important lesson: don't take yourself too seriously.
you're a unique individual...just like everybody else.

 

[monstermatch]

You can get some very fragrant cheeze from between the folds of a 400 pound diabetic. Just reach in and scoop it out onto a cracker. Then sneak a swig of rye from your hip flask in the med room. Thats classy

 

[liveandlearn]

hahaha. i LOVE this thread. nice to see some people take responsibility for changing stupid questions into wonderfully amusing reads.

good job guys.

 

[1Path]

I'm voting for Halloumi for both taste and texture. And in the southern tradition of doing things, you can fry it as well!!!

 

[KHE]

In not a physician, a med student, or even a pre med student. But I just stumbled accross this thread.

If you choose a specialty, or a career based on the perceived "respect" value, then you are going to be very unhappy no matter what you pick.

Half the country has no respect for the current president. Half the country has no respect for the president we had before this one. Half the country has no respect for the chief justice of the supreme court. Millions of people have no respect for the pope.

So if you can barely muster "respect" from 50% of the people out there by being the President, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, or the Pope, it just goes to show you that if "respect" is what you crave, you're going to be pretty miserable.

Some of this sounds like the typical sort of pollyanna pre-med bullsh1t. If you don't think that other doctors preceive prestige b/w specialities, you're being niave. Every speciality sh1ts on every other specialty (med thinks surg are not intellectual and do nothing besides cut, surg thinks med can't do anything and just round endlessly, ortho can't do anything besides play with powertools and can't manage hypertension p a consult, etc. etc. etc. And everyone sh1ts on FP). I think there are certainly docs that other docs respect (grudgingly, perhaps): neurosurg, CT surg, cards/IV cards, IV rads, hand surgeons, peds surgeons, etc. Most of this is born out of the sheer tenacity it takes to complete training in these fields (I would guess), but also out of the intellectual and/or manual dexterity required to do these jobs.

There are certainly some great FPs, but it would be remiss to think that they garner the slavish respect of the medical community. I think if you took a poll of residents/attendings/4th years they would fall towards the bottom of the "respect" meter. Maybe because their jobs are being edged out by NPs and PAs who have 2 years of post grad training (and seem to be just as competent).