HOw do you tell people that you are a doctor, or to be doctor?

[ENTSteven]

Difficult issue!

When one finds out that you are doc, they back off and treat you very differently!!!

What are your experiences??

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[PublicHealth]

Originally posted by ENTSteven
Difficult, Because Some people wants to know and some when they know they think you are a snob, because you are doing medicine, and on the contrary, I think medical students are wildest of them all!!!

As I was one before, I cant think of a weekend that I have not partied!! anyway what is your view?

First, we learn how to speak and write.

 

[DrQuinn]

The only thign I get is that I'm too young to be a doctor.

Q, DO

 

[TMarkus]

Just make sure you only hang out with other doctors. Problem solved.

 

[dobonedoc]

Tell 'em with confidence, and with that "Yes, I am better than you" tone in your voice.

Just Kidding.

My suggestion is just not to tell them. Those who need to know already know. If you're meeting people at a party - or anywhere - just give vague answers, then ask what they do. Most people want to tell about themselves more than hear about others. You will be fine.

 

[DrMom]

I usually just tell people I'm in school. If they ask for specifics, I will say I'm in medical school. About half the time I then get asked if I'm going to be a nurse! 🙄

 

[Dr Sum Day]

Originally posted by DrMom
I About half the time I then get asked if I'm going to be a nurse! 🙄

hehe... Sometimes, I'll meet other people who were in the military and I tell them that I want to go to med school. They assume it's the PA program. I say, "No, I want to be a doctor." Then they go on to say how I should look at the PA program in the military b/c it's a good deal. I tell them no again. I think to myself, "these people don't listen." Jeeze, I want more responsibilities, skills, autonomy, etc.... 🙄

 

[bck]

For the most part when people ask me what I do, I tell them I am a student. If they push a bit bit harder I tell them I am a communications major at the local college. This way I dont have to field the question like "really, I have this rash etc..." But really, for both women and men it seems that the whole doctor thing is like a bait for a spouse. In college I studied alot at the science library where... lets just say.. the majority of people actually studying were pre-med. Guys and girls alike roamed the halls looking for people with o-chem books and such. It is unfortunet that a profession should be such an attraction. So in an effort to find "the right one" if there is such a thing, I have chosen not to disclose my personal course in life until I am satisfied that the special someone in my life is attracted to me as a person rather than me as an object. Personally it makes me sick that so many people would gravitate toward someone just because what they do. My message to them is "If you want to marry a doctor, just become one," problem solved.

Luv
BK😍 😍 😍 😍

 

[stoic]

Bck -

"Personally it makes me sick that so many people would gravitate toward someone just because what they do."

These are your own words... So I've just got to ask if you knew your last girlfriend was a dancer before you ask her out? Peace out funk soul brother.

Dave

 

[Fenrezz]

I just lie and tell most anyone who asks that I'm pre-med in undergrad still. I find it's a better ice breaker because people are curious about being in college at my age. For some reason I hate that oh-you're-going-to-be-a-doctor look glorytaker was talking about.

 

[Dre1207]

This is a funny thread, because just the other day i was dealing with this with a few people! When i tell people i'm starting medical school they usually say, "oh...so what kind of nurse do you want to be?" and i have to usually explain a couple times that nursing school is for NURSES and medical school is for DOCTORS! And of course, being Latina doesnt help the situation either! Most people say, and i'm sorry about the stereotype, "oh..my friend is a medical assistant too!" Oh jeez..It's too funny!

 

[PublicHealth]

How about just telling them that you are a doctor, or that you are in training to become a doctor? Isn't that something you should be proud of? Why lie about it?

 

[ENTSteven]

Public health we are not lying about anything, it is just that sometimes, I dont know why when you tell people that you are a doctor, it just feels funny to those people, and they distant from you, I dont know why, it is just funny!!!!

I put this thread up just to see what kind of response I get!

 

[DOtobe]

I also get the response, "Oh, so you're becoming a nurse?" when I tell patients in the family practice office I am doing my rotation in that I am a medical student. Some people just can't grasp that fact that medical school is for DOCTORS. I have been honest with everyone who has asked me what I am doing, but then I do sometimes get the "Oh, can you tell me why I have this pain in my foot" type of questions. Guess it just comes with the territory.

 

[kristing]

Originally posted by Dre1207
And of course, being Latina doesnt help the situation either! Most people say, and i'm sorry about the stereotype, "oh..my friend is a medical assistant too!" Oh jeez..It's too funny!

Oh god that is funny.

I live far from my school and study at the coffee shop by a college with a nursing school - so a lot of people assume I'm in a nursing program, too. But I say "No - I'm going to be a doctor" and then I usually get "What school?" and then I tell them Midwestern - and sooooo many people had nooooo idea there is a medical school in the Phoenix area and that gets them all confused.

But most of the response is very positive even if they are confused for a while!

kristin
MSIII
AZCOM

 

[hermione]

I especially like when you say student, they say what are you studying, and you then say you are a medical student. Then, they say, "Oh, whats your major?". I really don't know how to answer that one. Usually I just say "medicine", which confuses the issue even more. Then I say "I'm going to be a doctor". And that usually clears things up. But I never want to just come out and say it that way right off, since it sounds so snobby. But why should we care, really? I mean, its true, and it would be really frowned upon for someone to lie about what they did in the opposite way, ie, really I am a waitress but instead I say restaurant manager, etc. So why should I "lie" or make it sound like its something less than what it is? But I do it anyway, so people don't think I'm a jerk. Oh well.

 

[brianjc]

When people ask what I do, I just tell them I'm a student and move on. I try not to get into me going to be a medical student. Not because I'm not proud or excited to be a doc. but one of my major goals through all of this is to stay level headed and somewhat humble.

 

[pitman]

Originally posted by hermione
I especially like when you say student, they say what are you studying, and you then say you are a medical student. Then, they say, "Oh, whats your major?". I really don't know how to answer that one. Usually I just say "medicine", which confuses the issue even more. Then I say "I'm going to be a doctor". And that usually clears things up. But I never want to just come out and say it that way right off, since it sounds so snobby...

I think this applies to many fields.

On the one hand, people generally give points for being humble, to a degree. For students, it's often considered presumptuous to immediately give the field that's being studied when asked what you do, so I hear "student" or "grad student" a lot from all types of grad students (think of meeting someone who turns out to be a college student, and they immediately answer, "I'm in college double-majoring in English and psychology" -- after hearing self-aggrandizement over and over at a party, such an answer can cause one to think, "I didn't ask your major, ass"). With opposite-sex interactions, I think the general or abbreviated response is sometimes part of a courtship process -- if the inquirer is otherwise curious/interested, then there'll be a follow-up question. Of course, if one continues to be vague, inching towards a specific, one can come across as being evasive, which can cause people to think you're being "difficult".

On the other hand, people often do things not easily pegged -- I used to spend about 1/3 my time working in behavioral psych., 1/3 developing software that I sold, and 1/3 consulting on Internet apps and security. So that question always stumped me, I'd have to think, which some thought of as some sort of pretense, and to make it simple I'd usually end up saying, "tech consultant" -- general and vague, by necessity. I plan to practice general medicine, but also to train psychologists, and maybe teach philosophy at the secondary level, in a 2nd or 3rd World nation -- I have no idea what the hell I'll answer then.

-Pitman

 

[irish79]

This is such a strange topic. I have never had people look at me with such awe or esteem just because I say I'm a medical student. Usually, if I tell people, they ask what kind of medicine I'm interested in, ask me how much longer I have to go, and leave it at that. There have been a few mothers who have joked about introducing me to their daughters, but I don't think any of it is serious (at least its not to me).

As far as people asking you information about their health, why not just be honest and tell them you are a STUDENT, not a doctor yet, so perhaps they should consult their physician?

As for the "nurse" thing--I think that would be a great opportunity for you to break down stereotypes that women are nurses and men are doctors.

 

[Globus P]

Funny topic, but sounds like we all deal with this in one way or another.

For most folks who at least have a clue what medical school is for, and I'm suprised at how many who don't, I get the same, "Oh, so you're going to be a _____" : fill in the blank with any medical field occupation except physician; nurse, x-ray tech, EMT, lab tech, etc... The next question is usually "What kind of doctor do you want to be?"

I simply reply "just want to be a good one." That usually ends the conversation. Most folks don't seem to know how to respond to humbleness, real or perceived.

 

[goooooober]

You people think you are God or something. Give it a rest. You are just doctors or going to be one. When someone asks your profession, you say I am a doctor. If they ask what kind, you say your specialty. Don't make a big deal out of nothing. Your profession doesn't set you above any other. You think you are humble for not saying you are a doctor, but in fact you are arrogant for thinking that saying you are a doctor somehow sets you above others. Never forget, your **** smells too, just like the plumber, the garbage man, and especially your patients. Peace.

 

[hermione]

Never questioned the smell of my ****, thanks very much. And for you to think that we assume we are god is silly. It is a fact that people DO hold physicians in higher esteem than many other professions. Many people are intimidated by others in our profession. This is not arrogance, and I'm not saying I agree. I have met many med students who are real idiots, so I know that being a med student doesn't make you special. But lots of people think it does. Its a fact, and I'm sorry it seems to make you so upset.

 

[pitman]

Originally posted by goooooober
You people think you are God or something. Give it a rest. You are just doctors or going to be one. When someone asks your profession, you say I am a doctor. If they ask what kind, you say your specialty. Don't make a big deal out of nothing. Your profession doesn't set you above any other. You think you are humble for not saying you are a doctor, but in fact you are arrogant for thinking that saying you are a doctor somehow sets you above others. Never forget, your **** smells too, just like the plumber, the garbage man, and especially your patients. Peace.

Huh? God? Who thinks this?

Interestingly, the answer *you* gave (say you're a doctor, and if there's a follow-up, be more specific) oozes righteousness while lacking any of the insight or analysis that the other contribitors are precisely examining.

Read the whole thread, goober. The question (and most the responses) is more about psychology, human interaction and the such -- others' perceptions, for example. The topic is light, and the responses (aside from yours) lacking of most pretense. The topic isn't a "how to", it's people discussing perceptions and experiences. If you have no interest in behavioral (or any) psychology, then go back to your lab/books/rock instead of making silly accusations.

-Pitman

 

[goooooober]

Pitman, I bet even you almost beleive the bullsh*t you posted. Give it a rest man. You don't know anything about who I am, what I have accomplished. I am not upset about the responses as much that I am about the question. If anyone is intimidated by doctors it is because he or she has ran into people like you guys who truely believe that you are somehow looked upon differently because you are a phys. If you have any REAL experience with patients (yes, they are people), then you know that doctors are NOT that respected and they are often looked down upon by patients. Patients may not say it to your face, but the fact they are willing to sue the hell out of you in a drop of a dime should send you a message. Instead of worrying about people's "psychology", worry about the field you got into, medicine, and earn your patients or people's respect, don't assume it.

 

[ENTSteven]

gooooooooooooooooooooooooober

How many patients have you seen, and looked after.

most of them are grateful in what you do for them and they respect doctors and show gratitude for them.

A minority says otherwise of course. in life there is always this kind of people! and your response is so naive. o my goodness. you are a real pessimist!

 

[irish79]

As far as other people feeling great esteem for physicians, I think it depends on the people you are around. A lot of my parent's friends are physicians, many of my friends are in medical school, and many of their parent's are physicians. I suppose that the people I am around aren't as impressed as others, because many of them are indeed, physicians. For those who are around people who are less acquainted with physicians, they may seem somewhat more esteemed or perhaps even hated.

As for goooooober, don't get upset at him. He too is welcome to his opinion (whether it be jaded or not). I think sometimes he likes to say things to see how people react--and to add a little controversy or an opposing opinion to a discussion (trying to liven it up).

 

[annushka]

it's surprising that so many people have encountered people not knowing what medical school is for.

for my part, i have NEVER encountered a person who did not know what people who go to medical school are studying. maybe it's geographic?

however, my major issue had been when people ask me which med school i go to and find out it's osteopathic. i found that very few people have a good knowledge about what osteopathic medicine is about, and generally leave assuming i will become a chiropractor. "oh, so it's not REALLY a medical school," some say.

it makes me feel as if i need to print out the "what is a DO" section of the AOA website and hand it out to all people who ask me what i'm planning on doing 😀

 

[pitman]

Original post by goooooober:
You people think you are God or something. Give it a rest.

Follow-up post by goooooober:
Pitman, I bet even you almost beleive the bullsh*t you posted. Give it a rest man. You don't know anything about who I am, what I have accomplished. I am not upset about the responses as much that I am about the question. If anyone is intimidated by doctors it is because he or she has ran into people like you guys who truely believe that you are somehow looked upon differently because you are a phys. If you have any REAL experience with patients (yes, they are people), then you know that doctors are NOT that respected and they are often looked down upon by patients...

1) Um, do you have any particular quotes you'd like to reference, goob? What in my (or anyone's) post leads you to believe that anyone here has a God complex? My problem with YOUR post was the presumption (the God complex, that there's something that needs to be given a "rest"...), presumption that's clearly lacking in the others' posts, which merely describe perceptions and experiences.

My post had to do with the more general question of what to tell people what one does, not about what anyone should, or even about what doctors in particular could/would say they do -- why don't you reread it, then read it again, until you understand it.

2) Latest presumption -- that the posters here don't have any "REAL" experience with patients. Well, since you asked...I have clinical experience in Haiti, the Seychelles, at Ground Zero, in a number of ER rooms, and on a ship in the Bering Sea; have worked in clinical (behavioral) research (um, yes, with patients) for almost 10 years; and grew up with medicine all around me. And Steven, the original poster whose post you *now* claim is what you most have a problem with, can be inferred to have had at least 100's of patients. You should be careful with your sweeping accusations, as you have just been empirically proven wrong.

So why don't you try to tell me what all US patients think? Or what Australian patients think about Steven? Or what people in, say, Haiti, think of doctors, hm? ...as though you aren't the one making categorical assertions.

You're right, I don't know anything about you...aside from what you say here! And what you have said here demonstrates a lack of comprehension (false inferences about Steven -- who heaven forbid doesn't have a perfect command of English, but no slack for his phraseology, eh? -- and others' responses), presumption (God complex, doctors here think they are "set above" others, no one here has had "REAL" patient contact), and a buttload of arrogance (categorical, and false, accusations). Which is precisely why I said go back to your books/lab/rock, since that is an apt metaphor to address boors like yourself. Great professional ethic, goob.

-Pitman

 

[ENTSteven]

well said Pitman,

Anyhow I have been in the business for a number of years Now.

see about 25-40 new patients each week, + if you also count patients that we see on ward round (ie same patient) each day!

teh number of contacts with patients and experiences have spoken for itself

 

[kristing]

Originally posted by annushka
it's surprising that so many people have encountered people not knowing what medical school is for.

for my part, i have NEVER encountered a person who did not know what people who go to medical school are studying. maybe it's geographic?

however, my major issue had been when people ask me which med school i go to and find out it's osteopathic. i found that very few people have a good knowledge about what osteopathic medicine is about, and generally leave assuming i will become a chiropractor. "oh, so it's not REALLY a medical school," some say.

it makes me feel as if i need to print out the "what is a DO" section of the AOA website and hand it out to all people who ask me what i'm planning on doing 😀

Here's my response - people usually ask "What is a DO?" I say "They're physicians - just like MDs - we go to 4 years of med school too, and we can be any kind of doctor - surgeon, Obstetrician, you name it." Then I usually finish up with "For the most part, DO training is more holistic - there's a little difference in philosophy - and we are trained to do manipulation." (If they need to know what manipulation is, I explain it.)

I've perfected this little speech over the last 2 years. Most people are very very positive about it all.

Oh - and I have never had a God complex. That assertion is just so completely ludicrous. Obviously trying to start an argument! And he's done a good job!

kristin
MSIII
AZCOM

 

[UnderGrad]

Originally posted by bck
My message to them is "If you want to marry a doctor, just become one," problem solved./B]

Or you can become a doctor AND marry a doctor. . .that way you cover all bases.😉

 

[aecuenca2]

Back to the original question...

I personally have never had a problem stating who I am or what I am doing. I agree with the previous poster about being honest about what you are.

I think it's more important HOW you say you are a medical student rather than the words. If you say it in a condescending fashion then absolutely people will feel like you have very little humility.

And yes, I've had people (after telling them I'm a medical student) ask what I am studying to become, then I just tell them. Doesn't bother me one bit. In fact, you can educate them about what you are doing...isn't this a part of what being a doctor is about too? You'll be educating people all of your life in this profession.

Just my 2 cents.

Arnold Cuenca
MS-IV
Western University of Health Sciences

 

[Toejam]

Well, for me, it's even stranger.

I'm a practicing podiatrist (technically, a doctor) and some of my patients just can't quite grasp the notion of me going to (osteopathic) medical school. Most of the time, they assume that I'm going back for additional training (I wish).

I not only have to explain the differences between podiatry and medical school, but also the difference between DO's and MD's. Not an easy task.

 

[JPFL75]

I try to avoid telling casual strangers what I do at all costs. Inevitably, it degenerates to me trying to educate the individual about the training one needs to become a physician. The general population hasn't a clue what it takes to become a physician. I don't think anybody on this board wants to give a lecture on this, am I right?

 

[Lions Pride]

I agree. I think people have an inkling on what it takes to be a physician, but on the whole are rather clueless. Fine by me no need to explain this unless someone is seriously interested . But since im going to NYCOM I feel compelled to explain osteopathic medicine when someone asks about it, and they will. This unfortunately takes me on a 5 minute "speech" because I think anything less would do it an injustice. I just don?t want the person to walk away with any wrong ideas. I'm seriously looking into that AOA pamphlet idea...maybe we could fit something onto a business card.

 

[stoic]

LOL

The business card idea is great. I hope you make them

 

[goooooober]

Pitman, it is not exactly a secret that I don't like you at all. But buddy, I am still very concerned for you. You are squeezing your butt cheeks a little too hard to come up with the right words to make yourself sound smart and knowledgable. Careful, you might pop a vein. The fact is that cleaning garbage in an ER and at ground zero doesn't make you a doctor or definitely knowledgable. Twisting words trying to convey competence will also not work, at least in your case. For the longest time, doctors and pre-docs have thought of themselves as some kind of celebrity. They think that people meet them and are in awe of them and their career. That is not the case. They may assume you are rich or educated, but awed, I don't think so. So, when you meet someone that asks what you do, don't worry, they are not going to ask for an autograph and a picture when they find out you are a doctor. Most have replied to me that they would never want to sacrifice so much for a career. You should just say who you are and what you do. Simple as that. That way, you can focus that energy on patient care and patient trust, not patient awe. As far as people like the hebetudinous Pitman go, well, they are very important in society. For you see, they are the cream of the crap, and without them, one could never know what not to be in life.

 

[pitman]

Originally posted by goooooober
Pitman, you are squeezing your butt cheeks a little too hard to come up with the right words to make yourself sound knowledgable. Careful, you might pop a vein. The fact is that cleaning garbage in an ER and at ground zero doesn't make you a doctor or definitely knowledgable. Twisting words trying to convey competence will also not work, at least in your case. For the longest time, doctors and pre-docs have thought of themselves as some kind of celebrity. They think that people meet them and are in awe of them and their career. That is not the case. They may assume you are rich or educated, but awed, I don't think so. So, when you meet someone that asks what you do, don't worry, they are not going to ask for an autograph and a picture when they find out you are a doctor. Most have replied to me that they would never want to sacrifice so much for a career. You should just say who you are and what you do. Simple as that. That way, you can focus that energy on patient care and patient trust, not patient awe. As far as people like the hebetudinous Pitman go, well, they are the cream of the crap, and without them, one could never know what not to be in life.

Awe? Celebrity wannabes? Who are you addressing? Doctors/patients as Collectives?? Schizophrenia?

Are you capable of addressing, even following, another's argument? Apologies, but I am. But that's just too...tedious, no, hebetudinous, eh goob? With word choice merely another's game?

"Wisdom--seems to the rabble a kind of escape, a means and trick for getting well out of a wicked game."

Hm...never said I was a doctor, but how'd you know I was the janitor at Ground Zero? Boy, you must be really, really smart...such commanding insight into others' clinical experiences (of delusion?) and the ways of the Medical Collective...particularly impressive for someone who isn't in med school yet.

It's always amusing to out someone who denies and fabricates empirical evidence surrounding him...merely to defend betraying pride. Some people actually feed on this sort of humiliation. Others are blind to it.

-Pitman

 

[OphthoBean]

My experience:

If I go to the bagel place or on a walk with my dogs, I don't announce that I am a doctor because it isn't relevant.

Stranger: "Mmmm...that coffee smells great!"

DO:
Me: "Yes, it does!"

DON'T:
Me: "Yes, as a doctor, I agree that it does!"

If I am talking to someone to the point where we are exchanging personal information then I am factual. I don't feel comfortable feigning humility. If someone thinks I am humble, great. If they think I am a be-atch, that's fine too. It feels shady to me to avoid or lie about facts.

Person-I-am-getting-to-know: "Do you have any pets?"

DO:
Me: "Yes, I have two dogs"
Person: "Really? What kind?"
Me: "Beagles."

DON'T:
Me: "Well, there are creatures other than humans living in my house"
Person: "Really? What kind?"
Me: "They are a domesticated type of animal, and number between 1 and 3."
Person thinks: "What is wrong with this person? What is she hiding? Why is she being so vague? Weirdo?"
Person: "Well, nice talking, I have to go organize my sock drawer."

So if we are getting to know one another, and they are sharing information with me, I am going to be honest with them. Not snobby, just honest.

Person: "So, what do you do?"

DO:
Me: "I am a doctor."
Person: "Really? What kind?"
Me: "An ophthalmologist"
Person: "A what?"
Me: "An eye doctor"
Person: "Really? Sometimes my eye turns red."
Me: "You should make an appointment to have it looked at. (pause) What do you do?"
etc....

DON'T
Me: "Umm...I work."
Person: "What kind of work?"
Me: "I work with people."
Person: "What do you mean?"
Me: "I mean that there are people, and I work with them, and I get paid, and I have instruments I use on them."
Person thinks: "WTH!! This person is a nut job! Why can't she just answer the question? Is she a dominatrix or porn star or something?!"
Person: "Oh, look at the time! I have to go. See ya!"

The only time I have ever gotten a "negative" reaction was once at a dance club...a guy with a 'tude asked me to dance. As we small talked, the subject came up, I said I was studying to be a doctor, and his ego shriveled before my very eyes. At least I got a free drink!

Other normal people don't care. No one has become distant or weirded out on me. No one started fanning me with palm fronds or started feeding me grapes. No person has had dollar signs pop up in their eyes. We are all just people with different interests and backgrounds and connect at a human level.

I have "pulled the doctor card" when I wanted better service from a business (businesses DO see dollar signs and would appreciate repeat business and referrals), faster appointments, professional courtesy discounts, or to get out of traffic violations.

 

[pitman]

OrthoBean,

Nicely breezy.

In scenario 3, where you start off by answering, "I am a doctor," it's certainly truthful, and indeed many would agree that it may be the common sense response, yet is/why not, "I am an ophthalmologist"? In other words, although you don't like to be concerned with trying to be humble, you have chosen a more general, *reasonable* (most humble reasonable?) response (I don't think anyone here would say, "I work", unless flippancy were called for).

Similarly, a grad student in toxicology might reasonably say any of, "I'm a student", "I'm a grad student", "I'm studying toxicology", "I'm a PhD candidate in toxicology", while probably not "I'm studying the neurobehavioral effects of TCDD in the albino", or "I'm studying more and more to learn about less and less."

So for you...for simplicity's sake? (then what if you were a surgeon?) A courtship/interest-piquing behavior (potentiating follow-ups)? Humbleness to some degree? Completely arbitrary?...

-Pitman
(researching a cognitive psych PhD thesis on the psychosocial collective of awe-inspiring celebrity-wannabes 😛 )

 

[goooooober]

Finally, someone intelligent besides me has posted (not you pitman, I mean ophthobean (not orthobean). As a REAL doctor, she successfully hits it right on the target. If you are a doctor (a REAL one, pitman) and someone asks your profession, it is absolutely rediculous to say "oh, well, I work with people" or "I work at the hospital" or "I am a post graduate student". If you really are not full of yourself, you just state the facts. "I am a doctor" That's it. Now is that too hard? (don't answer pitman, because I know for you tying your shoe laces is a big challenge)Oh, but wait, surprise, surprise!!! pitman has come back with an arguement. One that only makes sense to him and his poor genetically endowed kind. "if you say you are a doctor you are being general, but as a toxicologist courtship can be fun if you state that you are a graduate student for simplicity". I can imagine pitman one day as a doctor (okay, not really) but just for fun. He/she/it is walking down the street, when alas, someone is hit by a car. The person is laying in the middle of the street bleeding and begging for help. Oh, why there is pitman, "don't worry, I am a post graduate school, nontoxicology major, former student who, for simplicity and your personal comfort, shall only mention of my current labor position in an institution devoted to the prevention and treatment of disease. Tell me, how do you feel? NO NO, not physically, I mean psychologically. Do you feel betrayed by the car? Wait, wait, you were abused as a child right?" Patient dies at the scene from nonsense trauma.

 

[kristenE]

I like when people ask what you are going to school for.... You say "medicine". And they say "what kind of medicine?". My reply THEN: " I really don't know yet" or "I guess I have to find my niche" or "I have an inkling but I'm not telling you"..... NOW: I'm just going to say "Well, that's really contingent upon my mental status after the next 12 weeks of Gross Anatomy" or "Huh, I haven't even made it to MS-II, talk to me in a couple of years" !! Well, enough free time..... daylight is burning and Natomy is callin...

 

[pitman]

Originally posted by goooooober
Finally, someone intelligent besides me has posted (not you pitman, I mean ophthobean (not orthobean). As a REAL doctor, she successfully hits it right on the target. If you are a doctor (a REAL one, pitman) and someone asks your profession, it is absolutely rediculous to say "oh, well, I work with people" or "I work at the hospital" or "I am a post graduate student". If you really are not full of yourself, you just state the facts. "I am a doctor" That's it. Now is that too hard? (don't answer pitman, because I know for you tying your shoe laces is a big challenge)Oh, but wait, surprise, surprise!!! pitman has come back with an arguement. One that only makes sense to him and his poor genetically endowed kind. "if you say you are a doctor you are being general, but as a toxicologist courtship can be fun if you state that you are a graduate student for simplicity"...

Hmmm, just as I suspected, you cannot follow the arguments, nor alas see the pun in 'OrthoBean' (tho your "correction" demonstrates part of my point...wow, you jumped right into that one).

You do astutely agree, as a fellow non-doctor, with my claim that it does not make sense to respond with, "I work" (unless flippancy is called for, but I guess you missed that part). Bravo, you DID understand something, albeit only partly, yet you failed to recognize the agreement itself....how revealing...is this a pattern, of arguing with yourself?

On the other hand, you have been unable to grasp analogies (do they exist for you?), shown e.g. by your trivial assertion, one misrepresentative of my statements, that it would be inappropriate for a doctor to say, "I am a post graduate student" (indeed, such a statement would itself be a misrepresentation) -- my statement in context: for a post-graduate student, it is not inappropriate to say, "I am a post graduate student" (read the post again, then reread it). Get it?

So the point still stands, goob: why choose "I am a doctor" over "I am a surgeon", or over any other arbitrary level of specificity (which question applies to almost any field, as for post-graduate students)? Nuances go right over your head? Or the question itself challenges your righteousness? Because there can be no other possible paradigm (of which you have explained none)? Nor is there a place for doctors or doctor hopefuls to be concerned with nuances and analogy, with memory and attention to details, with critical analysis and effective reasoning, with potential psychosocial or evolutionary influences on behavior, with psychology in general, ...with understanding another being? This is your chosen image of a doctor??

As to the quoted misquote:

`"if you say you are a doctor you are being general, but as a toxicologist courtship can be fun if you state that you are a graduate student for simplicity"`

To echo my earlier response:...Huh? Who said that one?
To take this as my meaning would be laughable. If you were to actually quote what I said, you MIGHT be able to understand what I said. Just too demanding a dare? Too..."hebetudinous" in a world of non-contextual, undecipherable and chaotic mere appearances?

I wonder, goob, do you imagine all those around you as incapable of following/remembering a thread? Are you really that egocentric? No one here has any attention span, any evolved sense of Tit for Tat, any distate for slander, any ability or interest in reading our respective posts for verification? Or do you speak for an audience of one (or possibly two, since you have just shown your disdain for everyone else...although no one here has contradicted OphthoBean)?

Is it really THAT difficult or ego-hurting for you, as a fellow doctor (scientist) wannabe, not to misrepresent?

"...some people actually feed on this sort of humiliation. Others are blind to it."

-Pitman

 

[carpe diem]

....moving to the pre-preschool forum

 

[goooooober]

Oh oh!!! Pitman, you are squeezing again. carpe diem is absolutely correct. somehow I allowed myself to come down to the level of pitman. So this will be my last and final response to the hebetudinous pitman, although I eagerly await to laugh at pitman's inane response. See pitman, it is not that I don't understand what you are saying. If I did not, I would dismiss your post as just another opinion, that's it. However, the fact that I understand your post is what makes me know you are all nonsense. Your words are transparent and I see right through them into you, and what I see is that you are absolutely hollow. You argue, but without any solid content. You speak, but without any coherence. I promise you that if more people understood what you are saying, more would immeidately dismiss you as a babbling fool as opposed to just a fool. Using philosophical arguement techniques to fill the void of intelligence and actual knowledge in your head is only an insult to all great philosophers, for when they argued, they did so with clearity and competence (In addition, they also had some IQ points that you are clearly missing). I do hope that you reach your goal and become a practicing physician, just not in this country. Go to a third world country where they won't sue incompetent fools like yourself. That way, you can stay in practice at least one year before your career comes to an end. I do have to say that I am absolutely impressed with your ability to use the dictionary. For the future, never leave it behind, because the second you speak without it, your words will act like the screeming wind that proves a hollow shell as it passes through. Good luck, grasshopper!!!

 

[mumps]

goober, it's probably you who caused carpe diem to leave, not pitman, as it was you who stooped from post #1: clinicians want to be God? butt-squeezing? genetic inferiority? cream of the crap? and other childish lobs thrown in there. i don't see how you think pitman's style is anything as low as yours, he is far more subtle and sticks only to what you've said, and he has given you repeated chances to respond directly to his arguments and questions! maybe i feel this way only because i understand pitman's arguments (and he makes a number of interesting turns throwing your own words right back at you!) yet haven't heard you make any except self-defeating ones (try the dictionary comment you just made, oh "hebetudinous"-for-"dull"-lover).

If you really think pitman is "using philosophical arguement [sic] techniques to fill the void of intelligence and actual knowledge in [his] head", then damn, at least use SOME coherent argument to defeat a particular (any) one of his. Debate 101: attack the arguer THROUGH attacking the argument 😉

pitman - witty stuff!

 

[Popoy]

Hi everyone,

There has been several reports on discussion on this thread. Please refrain from personal attacks at this point we'd really appreciate it.

Sincerely,
moderator

 

[mumps]

I'm an ER resident, and guess what? I tell people "I'm an ER resident". maybe because i meet lots of older professionals (not just referring to doctors) who are more likely to think "doctor" is a bit OVERLY genreral. similar to a business man telling people, "I'm a business man" (?!). just sounds playschoolish or doesn't make sense in some enviroments.

People have chosen different responses, for different reasons and from different experiences. i think if i were casually meeting typical college students on a routine basis, i might be conditioned to say "I am a doctor" to avoid potentially embarrassing and slightly awkward questions like "what's a resident?" "waht does ER stand for?". In other words, it can be accommodating to be more OR less specific depending on the circumstances.
I think the diversity of the responses shows how goober's insistence and name-calling are silly, anti-intellectual, and just flat out wrong. oh, and yes i did read the entire thread (i took up the challenge!)

goober, maybe you are really young, definitely not a doctor, because you still manage to think in terms of absolutes and stereotypes (like of doctors being arrogant and wanting to be God, in case anyone claims i'm not evidenciary 😉 ). but your bigger problem is that as pitman alluded, you yourself (yes, you) SEEM to be either too arrogant or egocentric to respond accurately to any of his particular counter-arguments (counter to your silly general put-downs), or you are NOT CAPABLE of doing so. you STILL haven't learned in your last post, but STILL insist on misrepresenting, generalizations and personal attacks. i'm not sure which reason is better. you choose.

Best yet, give it up goober, because pitman has just b*tch slapped you like a rag doll (debate-wise, that is), with wit to spare.

BTW goober i was one of those who reported your posts to the board managers because of your anti-intellectual and childish remarks that only serve to undermine the thread (for what else can the criterion be?). you should carefully read the Harrassment & Flaming policy, you're the only one slandering character (that is, you fail the "contextual" test of decency). the thread is interesting, your posts, sir, are boorish indeed.

mumps