How did your Dr react when you told him/her you were going to med school?

[Teneo]

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When I suggested that I was considering medicine, my PCP lit up and got all enthusiastic...about the PA program at EVMS.

 

[Mohammed1989]

My uncle who is my pcp gave me a huge lecture to get my head out of my a**. I went from a PA program to studying engineering to where I am today. I only lost a semester in the process, pretty glad about that. Once I made up my mind I set my goals straight and started working towards it. I tell everyone I'm applying to DO schools and they say that's the best way to go. I think my pcp was more happy then anything because he sees me give it all I for as a undergrad to make my goal a reality. My father usually brings me all these contacts from work to talk to them since they're DO's I guess without my old man I wouldn't make it this far. 🙂

 

[traitorman]

What happened that deterred your interest?

my interests in the science of the brain and the interesting case studies I came across did not match the day to day job i thought working as a psychiatrist would be like

 

[Helen Wheels]

So, I told another of my physicians that I am going to DO school. This dr has an MD. He is very personable and has excellent interpersonal skills. He congratulated me and asked me some things about it. One of the questions he asked me, though, was if DO is a four year degree.

 

[BLKPA2MD]

I went to a new doctor, I tell all doctors that I'm not a fan of medications and to keep that in mind (irony at it's best):
doc: asked oh are you in school?
me:yes.
Doc: what for?
me: Anthropology/ biomedical sciences
Doc: Really what do you plan on doing?
me: hopefully medicine( in a mumbled voice)
Doc: Great we need more minorities in this field! No wonder you don't like medications neither do I.
Me: (In my head) wtf.
PS he's a non minority..and his interpersonal skills sucked, before this lil conversation..So he was already on my **** list..I have a different doctor now..

..lol. nice move bro! yeah, "we need more minorities in this field" total bs.

 

[JaggerPlate]

So, I told another of my physicians that I am going to DO school. This dr has an MD. He is very personable and has excellent interpersonal skills. He congratulated me and asked me some things about it. One of the questions he asked me, though, was if DO is a four year degree.

I think this just goes to show how isolated and disconnected medicine truly is as a field. People get rutted in to their own little areas and don't look too far outside. Personally, I think this is part of the reason why we have such a hard time unifying against stuff like mid-level encroachment.

 

[JokerSeven]

My brother is a resident PD and he has all but given up on explaining anything he does to to anyone anymore. For the past 5 years all of his friends just think he is a nurse and half of our family does too.

 

[JaggerPlate]

My brother is a PD in residency and he has all but given up on explaining anything he does to to anyone anymore. For the past 5 years all of his friends just think he is a nurse and half of our family does too.

Huh? Your brother is a physician in residency, but no one understands this?? Now I'm confused.

 

[JokerSeven]

Huh? Your brother is a physician in residency, but no one understands this?? Now I'm confused.

Corrected 😛, Also people have been asking him what he goes to school for since he started, so he's been telling them he's a nurse starting his first year of school.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Corrected 😛, Also people have been asking him what he goes to school for since he started, so he's been telling them he's a nurse starting his first year of school.

I still don't get it. Why doesn't your brother tell people he's a physician or 'a doctor,' or a _____ologist (whatever field he specializes in - dermatologist, anesthesiologist, ophthalmologist, etc)???

 

[JokerSeven]

I still don't get it. Why doesn't your brother tell people he's a physician or 'a doctor,' or a _____ologist (whatever field he specializes in - dermatologist, anesthesiologist, ophthalmologist, etc)???

Oh, when people ask him, they get confused and he has to constantly explain it to them. He's done it so many times he said he just started to get really frustrated and makes an ass of himself when he has to go through it, so he just says he's a nurse. Pretty much nobody inquires anything about it past that point, and I guess he prefers it that way.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Oh, when people ask him, they get confused and he has to constantly explain it to them. He's done it so many times he said he just started to get really frustrated and makes an ass of himself when he has to go through it, so he just says he's a nurse. Pretty much nobody inquires anything about it past that point, and I guess he prefers it that way.

Dude, I'm seriously starting to lose my mind here ?????

1. Your brother is a physician, a doctor

2. When people ask 'what do you do,' he can't simply reply 'I'm a physician/doctor,' because they become confused.

3. To make things easier, he just says 'I'm a nurse.'

WHAT?

In what universe do people not understand what a physician is? I get the whole, oh I don't like explaining DO so I just say 'I'm a doctor,' but seriously finding it too confusing to explain what a doctor is so instead just saying 'nurse' because people are more familiar with the role of a nurse???

I have to be missing something here.

 

[JokerSeven]

This started when he first entered school is why and he didn't want to take the time to explain to people over and over again. I think he does it now just out of habit or humility, whichever.

 

[travoltage]

+1

we went from A to C, without passing B.

 

[JaggerPlate]

I really hope you're just messing with me because I simply cannot wrap my mind around why people would know what nursing school is, but not medical school, why people couldn't understand that your brother was a doctor, but knew what a nurse was laksdjflksdjfl ... ugh.

 

[PacificBlue2012]

The other day I mentioned to my personal physician at my appointment that I had been accepted to med school and would be starting in 11 months. I actually didn't just bring it up, it came up related to a treatment issue - I don't go around telling everyone I can that I am going to med school. I was kind of disappointed with his reaction. His first question was "How do you think you'll do in med school? The workload is very intense." He asked a couple other questions, I think to be polite, but was really low key about it. In case you're wondering, I have been his patient for several years and he doesn't treat me for anything really serious where you'd wonder if my disease would cause me to flunk out of med school. I didn't expect him to break out the brandy and cigars but this kind of irritated me. Are other people getting "lukewarm" reactions from their personal docs?

Did you expect him to jump up and down for joy on your career choice? My doctor told me to be ready not to have a life. I still have one but I am constantly busy.

 

[Helen Wheels]

Did you expect him to jump up and down for joy on your career choice?

No, but they should have the interpersonal skills to say something like, "Congratulations" or "That must be exciting!" So far, no one has told me to get out now while I have the chance!

My doctor told me to be ready not to have a life. I still have one but I am constantly busy.

I don't have a life now so not much will change. 😉

 

[wolverinepwns]

Talking with doctors at work, I've noticed a trend! Most physicians are very enthusiastic when they hear I'm starting medschool next year. However, the ones that tend to be grumpy and moody all the time are the ones that always tell me things like: "run while you can" or "are you crazy"!

 

[BigBoosting]

I really hope you're just messing with me because I simply cannot wrap my mind around why people would know what nursing school is, but not medical school, why people couldn't understand that your brother was a doctor, but knew what a nurse was laksdjflksdjfl ... ugh.

Maybe his brother and he have the same explanation skills, because I can't understand what the problem is either

 

[JaggerPlate]

Maybe his brother and he have the same explanation skills, because I can't understand what the problem is either

HAHAHA. No offense to any inclusive parties, but this made me actually laugh at my computer screen. Nicely done.

 

[PacificBlue2012]

No, but they should have the interpersonal skills to say something like, "Congratulations" or "That must be exciting!" So far, no one has told me to get out now while I have the chance!




I don't have a life now so not much will change. 😉

The only bit of advice I can give you is take a good long vacation before medical school, whatever it is, do it because it will be your time. And anyway congratulations.

My experience in medical school was incredible, although I wound up having a life, met my wife in school. Now we are both interns.

 

[Charlie Kelly]

My pharmacist screamed and hugged me saying, "you're going to BE somebody!" 3 years as a pharmacy tech with her. Of course she was teasing but she was also really happy for me. Even if I am a traitor to the pharmacy 😉 everyone I meet and tell about my acceptance has been unquestionably positive. Side note: Some of the old cranky male pharmacists who thought I was going into retail pharmacy said "the game has changed" "women pharmacists make everyones life hectic with maternity leave and all that nonsense" "insurance problems nowadays make me want to ram hot pokers into my urethra" (paraphrasing). Man they were bitter old men, no bueno.
People that ask 'where you going' I usually specify they probably haven't heard of it. It's an osteopathic medical school. Then keeping it simple I clarify, based on confused/intrigued faces, with 'it's four years of rigorous medical school plus 200 extra hours learning hands on techniques like chiropractic stuff'.

 

[Charlie Kelly]

This started when he first entered school is why and he didn't want to take the time to explain to people over and over again. I think he does it now just out of habit or humility, whichever.

I read, and re-read your post Mr Joker man and my curiosity is getting the best of me.
Question #1 what degree does your brother currently have? Do? Md?
#2 what school did he attend?
#3 what medical specialty is he doing?
#4 Assuming I'm the smartest person in this 4 dimensional world that we find ourselves, what did your brother say to people BEFORE he got frustrated and began saying he is going to be a nurse? Again, I'm the smartest person in the world so feel free to explain exactly what your brother explained to those idiots who didn't get it.

 

[Kgizzle]

I read, and re-read your post Mr Joker man and my curiosity is getting the best of me.
Question #1 what degree does your brother currently have? Do? Md?
#2 what school did he attend?
#3 what medical specialty is he doing?
#4 Assuming I'm the smartest person in this 4 dimensional world that we find ourselves, what did your brother say to people BEFORE he got frustrated and began saying he is going to be a nurse? Again, I'm the smartest person in the world so feel free to explain exactly what your brother explained to those idiots who didn't get it.

I second this inquiry into the life of your brother...as a pre-"nurse" student i need to know whats up

 

[cbrons]

I dont tell my doctor because the ensuing convo would just prolong the visit. The only people I tell that I've been accepted to medical school are immediate family members (for financial reasons), friends (for logistical reasons) and girls I meet at the bar (actually my friends tell them, you know old wingman trickeroos). When family friends and neighbors ask, I simply say I'm goin to grad. school. To study what? Oh you know, this and that. Convo over. l4wlz

 

[AGLAIA]

Nearly everyone I have told has said in some way or another "Congrats!! You worked really hard...but what about [husband]...is he REALLLLY going to leave his practice?"

 

[Helen Wheels]

The only people I tell that I've been accepted to medical school are ... and girls I meet at the bar (actually my friends tell them, you know old wingman trickeroos).

Does that work?

Also, would that work for me since I am female, i.e., does it impress guys? Or would it frighten them off? 😉

 

[cbrons]

Does that work?

Also, would that work for me since I am female, i.e., does it impress guys? Or would it frighten them off? 😉

My friends have sent me away to medical school to find them a wife. So I'm sure it does some.

 

[Harry Bush]

Good question,


Three doctors, a colo-rectal surgeon, a plastic surgeon, and a radiologist told me "don't go into medicine."

Several others keep telling me "medicine is not what it used to be."

There was one doctor that always told me "...You should be a doctor."

 

[VeeTeeHokies]

I dont tell my doctor because the ensuing convo would just prolong the visit. The only people I tell that I've been accepted to medical school are immediate family members (for financial reasons), friends (for logistical reasons) and girls I meet at the bar (actually my friends tell them, you know old wingman trickeroos). When family friends and neighbors ask, I simply say I'm goin to grad. school. To study what? Oh you know, this and that. Convo over. l4wlz

I'm with you on pretty much all of this 👍. Nothing beats the friends throwing it out to girls at the bar! Pretty much anybody else that asks gets the grad school response though.

Like you, I didn't really plan on telling my doctors but my mom told our family doc so he asked about it and gave a pretty neutral reaction. I think he was more interested in where I was planning on going. He went to Duke and his son is a premed at Wash U, and I'm really not too certain how much he knows about DOs so the convo pretty much ended after I said an Osteopathic School in southern Florida haha. I did tell the doctors that I work with though and I got mixed reactions, but the awesome nurse practitioner I work with was ecstatic for me.

 

[JapaneseSakura]

He stopped trying to tell me just anything. He misdiagnosed me a million times (Doctor in Japan, lol).👎!

 

[Colbare]

Yeah grad school has become my response mostly as well for anybody I can tell is only asking for the sake of making chatty conversation.

Either a) they don't really care and they're insecure about what they're doing b) they don't understand but act like they do and it's still awkward c) (most rare) they're completely supportive, understand at least the basics, and leave their personal feelings regarding their own career out of it

I guess you kind of learn who to tell what information. The docs at my office have all been pulling for me and always say positive things even though they're all MDs and graduated from Baylor, Washington U, UTSW, and the like. I did ask one what he thought about DO as if I wasn't sure myself just to get his real opinion and he basically said he thought OMM was bs. It was really funny how he changed his tone when I said I was interested in DO schools haha. Nurses tend to be impartial or negative, but one nurse in particular I work with has been so positive and supportive it's awesome! She asks all the time "have you heard anything?!" and if no she always genuinely encourages me anyway.

ps- I love how the whole conversation with the guy who's brother is a doctor (PD resident?) tells people he's a nurse. I'm actually wondering now if he meant to type PA, as the A key is somewhat close to the D. Maybe he's doing training as a PA for a specialty?

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