I had to paste this thread here

[colforbinMD]

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http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=226049

After reading the following thread I don't know what scares me more..... The fact that people think this is the type of person who should go into EM or the fact that the OP currently seems to be considering EM and I might end up in a program with him next year!

 

[GeneralVeers]

I can't believe that thread has postings from actual doctors! Most of those people don't sound professional at all. I'll admit I'm as cynical as the next ER doc, but telling this obviously sociopathic individual that he will fit into Emergency Medicine is ludicrous! I've seen a few med students like him, and he would get eaten alive in an EM residency. If I had a colleague like that in my current residency, I would see to it that his life was a living hell.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=226049

After reading the following thread I don't know what scares me more..... The fact that people think this is the type of person who should go into EM or the fact that the OP currently seems to be considering EM and I might end up in a program with him next year!

 

[kungfufishing]

1. Surely the OP (on the other thread) was just trolling.

2. On these forums and in "real life" I am constantly struck by how poorly understood EM is. The work itself, motivation for choosing the specialty, etc.
Most of the time when I tell a resident colleague what field I am in, the first thing I hear is "oh, that's great - no call, shiftwork, no followup, all you have to know is how to triage". Those things are nice, other than the obviously inaccurate triage bit, but really not my motivation for choosing EM at all. I suppose the above response may be only because those things (call, chronic care) are what other doctors find difficult in their chosen careers, but I dont know that Ive ever heard anyone in EM say anything like "oh! IM...no flipping shifts, lots of time to wait and see what the cultures show before making decisions, some good down time at work...". What about actually valuing and enjoying the work you do?

 

[Paws]

Dire Straits is a big time troll - I wouldn't pay any mind to this thread. We usually give him the heave-ho over in Allo. He's just playin' which y'all.

 

[mikecwru]

Most of the time when I tell a resident colleague what field I am in, the first thing I hear is "oh, that's great - no call, shiftwork, no followup, all you have to know is how to triage".

Fortunately, the majority of this pain you will deal with is from residents. In the community hospitals, sure, some people will not want to come IN after hours, but they are sure as hell happy to be involved in the case, involved in the followup, and often admit the people to see them in the morning.

But in reality, you're just going to learn how to deal with this and let it roll off your back.

For instance, when an orthopod or general surgeon says we "call them for everything," I offer to call ortho for every single musculoskeletal complaint, or surgery for every abdominal pain. No one has taken me up on that. Or when we have a busy trauma night, and the team is down for their 10th level one, and I hear the "You're killing us!!" I apologize for shooting the patient or hitting them with my car.

When dealing with other specialities you have to find a middle ground. We have some very meek EPs and some very brilliant ones who can be really condescending. You want to show an attitude of respect for other specialties opinions (surgeons especially like this) but also give the air that you expect professionalism and you're not going to take BS.

Our chair has always said the secret to EM is making people do what you want with a smile on their face.

mike

 

[kungfufishing]

" I apologize for shooting the patient or hitting them with my car. "

" expect professionalism and you're not going to take BS. "



I get it! Be subtle yet menacing AND offer proof that you might actually do it.

In all seriousness, it obviously does get easier and I guess Im not all that bothered by it. It just seems like EM is disproportionately misunderstood, but then I might be a little biased.

 

[GeneralVeers]

Speak softly, and carry a big stick.