How to Save the Most Life Years

[muffeoniv]

What specialties can help save the most patient life years.. neonatology? pediatric EM? pediatric surgery? neonatal surgery? pediatric oncology?

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[WeAreNotRobots]

 

[Mithril]

.

 

[oldyogurt]

yeah that's pretty interesting to think about.. what about infectious disease specialists and allergists?

 

[Dianyla]

Public Health.

 

[DJtiesto]

.

 

[Kevin Baker]

Epidemiology? Not that it's a specialty per se, but you get the gist.

 

[Lokhtar]

Public Health in a developing country.

 

[Hejman]

What specialties can help save the most patient life years.. neonatology? pediatric EM? pediatric surgery? neonatal surgery? pediatric oncology?

In terms of maximum return on your investment (that is, patient care) any field associated with pediatrics or neonatology would be ideal. As Dr. Benjamin Carson reasoned, he could make the most difference in a patient's life by operating on them at a young age, thereby getting a huge return (60-70 years of life) on his investment. That's not to say that operating on an adolescent or even an adult in the 30-40 age range is not good enough. I am thinking about pediatric neurosurgery, because the prospect of separating Siamese twins is pretty exciting for me. As Dr. Carson demonstrated, the procedure can also be carried out on fairly old adults (although with debatable success, at least for now).

 

[kansaskid]

In terms of maximum return on your investment (that is, patient care) any field associated with pediatrics or neonatology would be ideal. As Dr. Benjamin Carson reasoned, he could make the most difference in a patient's life by operating on them at a young age, thereby getting a huge return (60-70 years of life) on his investment. That's not to say that operating on an adolescent or even an adult in the 30-40 age range is not good enough. I am thinking about pediatric neurosurgery, because the prospect of separating Siamese twins is pretty exciting for me. As Dr. Carson demonstrated, the procedure can also be carried out on fairly old adults (although with debatable success, at least for now).

I just read Gifted Hands last week; that guy has lived an amazing life! I like the idea of investment return as applied to patient care. Smart dude.

I think I am probably headed for pediatric oncology for this reason. Well, that and the fact that kids are just way more awesome than adults haha

 

[SFO-IST]

Public Health in a developing country.

... And focus on traffic deaths.

 

[MossPoh]

... And focus on traffic deaths.

Wrongo.

Smoking, infectious diseases, drinking, prenatal care, etc. are all pretty big undertakings and would save the most lives.

 

[mtbtx]

What specialties can help save the most patient life years.. neonatology? pediatric EM? pediatric surgery? neonatal surgery? pediatric oncology?

Be a dietician.

 

[Ursa]

muffie dont you have some of that $20/hour writing to do? and to think we almost got rid of you.

 

[rafflecopter]

muffie dont you have some of that $20/hour writing to do? and to think we almost got rid of you.

Hey!!! This was actually a fairly interesting question albeit poorly worded. Only criticize his terrible posts!!

I would vote for fertility specialist, since there would be no life at all without your help.

 

[Ursa]

Hey!!! This was actually a fairly interesting question albeit poorly worded. Only criticize his terrible posts!!

I would vote for fertility specialist, since there would be no life at all without your help.

ahh, interesting or not he is feasting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! oh well, it will be mildly entertaining if we get another "come to terms with your own death" thread.

 

[WorldChanger36]

Honestly research saves the most lives and just about all Docs can do some work with that.

Outside of research, My vote would be Trauma Surgeons save the most lives while Orthopeds and rehab docs make life liveable and relieve the most suffering.

Good question but don't start over doing it on the threads now. Comment on some other threads before starting another and people will get used to you and won't be so negative.

 

[dohlo]

Honestly research saves the most lives and just about all Docs can do some work with that.

I feel this is debatable. I do Alzheimer's research and I'm pretty sure that even though my lab churns out publications in very reputable articles, we have saved exactly 0 lives. Maybe this is because of the nature of the specific disease, but I have a feeling the case is similar medical research.

I dont remember the specifics, but in one of Atul Gwande's books, either Better, or Complications, he talks about the amount of lives research on breast cancer can save versus the amount that simply developing a more comfortable pap smear can. Since cancer is all about early detection, if we can make people more inclined to get tested regularly, many more lives will be saved, more cheaply. In the end the pap smear is a clear winner especially when you take cost into consideration. One could argue that the research that goes into making a new pap smear device counts as research, but I doubt this is the type in which a medical doctor would be deeply involved.

My vote is for neonatology, but i am as clueless as everyone else

 

[WorldChanger36]

I feel this is debatable. I do Alzheimer's research and I'm pretty sure that even though my lab churns out publications in very reputable articles, we have saved exactly 0 lives. Maybe this is because of the nature of the specific disease, but I have a feeling the case is similar medical research.

I dont remember the specifics, but in one of Atul Gwande's books, either Better, or Complications, he talks about the amount of lives research on breast cancer can save versus the amount that simply developing a more comfortable pap smear can. Since cancer is all about early detection, if we can make people more inclined to get tested regularly, many more lives will be saved, more cheaply. In the end the pap smear is a clear winner especially when you take cost into consideration. One could argue that the research that goes into making a new pap smear device counts as research, but I doubt this is the type in which a medical doctor would be deeply involved.

My vote is for neonatology, but i am as clueless as everyone else

If it wasn't for research, medicine would be unable to save any lives because it would not be able to obtain new information. I don't even think medicine would be a profession if there was not research. If it wasn't for research we would still think sickness and death are caused by demons and sin. Take for example the pap smear... Do you think this would have any value at all if somebody did not do the time to figure out the best way to test for cervical issues? This is research.
Just because the research you do currently doesn't have the best results does not mean it will always be that way. The research you do today could lead someone to the treatment for tomorrow, which will save lives. Research does the most life saving although it is very delayed. If the question your facing is how can I save the most lives today, then yes research would not be the best field and it would be debatable but if you looking at overall regardless of time research wins hands down.
Each publication is a step towards the next treatment or a warning of the wrong direction. Given time your research will save people lives and save some memories too.
Now I do agree extra research in some fields won't help as much as good medical practice but overall research is a winner. We do need to figure out if we need to allocate more money to research in some fields or more money to better practice. I think Alzheimer's need more research money because we have very little in terms of treatment but in fields like prostate and breast cancer early detection is a way better way to spend the money.
Cool beans on the Alzheimer's research by the way.

 

[dohlo]

If it wasn't for research, medicine would be unable to save any lives because it would not be able to obtain new information. I don't even think medicine would be a profession if there was not research. If it wasn't for research we would still think sickness and death are caused by demons and sin. Take for example the pap smear... Do you think this would have any value at all if somebody did not do the time to figure out the best way to test for cervical issues? This is research.
Just because the research you do currently doesn't have the best results does not mean it will always be that way. The research you do today could lead someone to the treatment for tomorrow, which will save lives. Research does the most life saving although it is very delayed. If the question your facing is how can I save the most lives today, then yes research would not be the best field and it would be debatable but if you looking at overall regardless of time research wins hands down.
Each publication is a step towards the next treatment or a warning of the wrong direction. Given time your research will save people lives and save some memories too.
Now I do agree extra research in some fields won't help as much as good medical practice but overall research is a winner. We do need to figure out if we need to allocate more money to research in some fields or more money to better practice. I think Alzheimer's need more research money because we have very little in terms of treatment but in fields like prostate and breast cancer early detection is a way better way to spend the money.
Cool beans on the Alzheimer's research by the way.

You are 100% correct. I may have sounded too pessimistic about the promise that research has. I personally plan to contribute to research of some sort throughout my career, but I guess the main point I am trying to make is that although research is very important and has its merits, as far as return on your time and financial investment, research is not always a clear winner. First, much of the research that is done costs an absurd amount of money. Second, you will most likely never see the impact of your work in your lifetime (although this seems selfish it can hurt anyone's motivation). Third, developing state of the art treatment and devices is a great thing, but if they are not accessible to people it doesn't matter. I think that there are potentially many dollars wasted in research just for the sake that it is research, without thinking of alternative ways that will more effectively solve various health issues.

In any case, I am down for research, and feel it is paramount, but that it is not always the route that will save the most lives (although it many times is).

 

[WorldChanger36]

You are 100% correct. I may have sounded too pessimistic about the promise that research has. I personally plan to contribute to research of some sort throughout my career, but I guess the main point I am trying to make is that although research is very important and has its merits, as far as return on your time and financial investment, research is not always a clear winner. First, much of the research that is done costs an absurd amount of money. Second, you will most likely never see the impact of your work in your lifetime (although this seems selfish it can hurt anyone's motivation). Third, developing state of the art treatment and devices is a great thing, but if they are not accessible to people it doesn't matter. I think that there are potentially many dollars wasted in research just for the sake that it is research, without thinking of alternative ways that will more effectively solve various health issues.

In any case, I am down for research, and feel it is paramount, but that it is not always the route that will save the most lives (although it many times is).

That is what I figured....

 

[chman]

Wrongo.

Smoking, infectious diseases, drinking, prenatal care, etc. are all pretty big undertakings and would save the most lives.

Obesity. It will soon put smoking to shame.

EDIT: While on a grand scale obviously public health officials affect a lot of people. But I am kind of surprised nobody has said ER trauma surgeon at a large inner city hospital.

 

[WorldChanger36]

Honestly research saves the most lives and just about all Docs can do some work with that.

Outside of research, My vote would be Trauma Surgeons save the most lives while Orthopeds and rehab docs make life liveable and relieve the most suffering.

Good question but don't start over doing it on the threads now. Comment on some other threads before starting another and people will get used to you and won't be so negative.

Obesity. It will soon put smoking to shame.

EDIT: While on a grand scale obviously public health officials affect a lot of people. But I am kind of surprised nobody has said ER trauma surgeon at a large inner city hospital.

Umm I did....

 

[chman]

Umm I did....

 

[MCAT guy]

What specialties can help save the most patient life years.. neonatology? pediatric EM? pediatric surgery? neonatal surgery? pediatric oncology?

 

[muffeoniv]

you are seriously an idiot, this is actually a good thread so stfu

 

[Isoprop]

you are seriously an idiot, this is actually a good thread so stfu

I like how you're almost admitting that your other threads are crap.

 

[WorldChanger36]

It is all good.... Just pointing it out to you...

 

[muffeoniv]

i like how you're almost admitting that your other threads are crap.

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[juliedi]

lolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololollolololololol

that is many lulz.

 

[MilkmanAl]

The "specialty" that saves the most "life years" is theoretical physics. Invent a time machine, and voila! infinite life hours saved. You could also go back in time and prevent certain events that occurred between muffeoniv's parents which would, in itself, provide nearly infinite life year saving.

 

[chman]

The "specialty" that saves the most "life years" is theoretical physics. Invent a time machine, and voila! infinite life hours saved. You could also go back in time and prevent certain events that occurred between muffeoniv's parents which would, in itself, provide nearly infinite life year saving.

Haven't you ever seen The Butterfly Effect? If you did that you could change Ashton Kutcher's life forever. Wait a minute...go ahead...

 

[Silverman780]

Taking aim...