If you could do it over would you

[gujuDoc]

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I live for that ****. That's why I'm in pathology. Well, that and the (dead) chicks.

You are funny. 😛

 

[Alpacizion]

I only managed to read about 10 pages of this thread, but figured I would put this out there for any premed who is wavering on their decision to enter medicine.

It's obvious that over time, a significant percentage of MDs do not enjoy their profession. I am a 4th year dental student. Yah, cue the "couldn't get into med school" and every other tired cliche. I can say one thing for sure. I have met hundreds of dentists over the past several years, and almost every one of them absolutely LOVE their job. I have met a lot of different people in my life, from the general public to my patients. I have honestly never met another group of people in a profession who genuinely love their job like dentists.

As I said before, please save me the old tired statements about MDs and DDSs. I think it all stems from insecurities on both sides of the fence. But to this day I don't understand MDs feeling that dentistry is the bastard stepchild. I understand a knowledge of the entire body is not necessary, but to me it's just another area of the body that someone focuses their interest on.

I faced the decision 4 years ago to go into medicine or dentistry. I don't care what any of you think, I could have done either. I worked with members of both professions, and in the end just could not pass up the fact that every dentist I observed loved their work. Consider this...when looking for a dentist to observe in undergrad, all I had to do was pick up the yellow pages. I had the first 4 I called gladly invite me, a stranger, into their office to stand over them. It's because they love to share something they enjoy doing so much. Do you know what type of responses I got from MDs? Quite different. Is it even possible to get one on the phone without being a patient?

I'm not saying one is better than the other. But with dentistry you get the satisfaction of patient care, the autonomy to own your own business, and you get to raise a family and see your kids every night. While the average MD is pissing and moaning about how us dental students were the med school rejects, we are out enjoying our life day in and day out. I love the fact that people talk crap about dentistry. It is one of the best-kept secrets around. And for those who feel the necessity to be the over-achiever...specialize. There are various interesting and great fields to get another 2-3 years of residency pursuing.

In the end, what's important to you? Medicine is an incredible career and there are plenty of people who are happy. I just think people need to really evaluate their reasons for entering it should they decide to take on that responsibility.

Wow...I am facing that same decision now. I have spent 3 years out of undergrad. I decided to do research and do a masters at a very prestigious school. After a lot of hard work I was able to do very well in both. My path to medical school was set. TOok my MCATs, did average...but good enough to get into a state school. By the way...I am currently applying. I have one acceptance and one interview next week... (I applied to only 3 schools the week before the dealine...2 interviews ...1 rejection).

Last year I participated on a medical mission and I got to do some dental work. The team was 25 doctors and 1 dentist. I worked with him 2 days (dentist) and two days with a head and neck surgeon. The dentist was by far the happiest guy in the room. As an excited pre med at the time, I kept on asking the doctors about the experiences in medicine. Only two of them encouraged me to go into medicine. One of the doctors (MD/PHD - Oncologist) told me " I know what u are feeling right now. But when u get to be my age...medicine becomes a job...and the feeling of wanting to help people goes away...and at one point or another. Your priorities change...medicine will become your life at one point or another....don't let it affect your family.'....I then worked with the head and neck surgeon...me and him removed 2 parotid gland tumors in an OR we rented for 250 dollar (including a rented anesthesiologist and nurses....tells u about the healthcare cost in third world countries)....I was amazed at how we had changed these two girls lives in a few hours..and felt glad that I was part of that. He told me " You will sacrifice something for medicine....I lost my marriage during my residency." I kept on getting the same type of response from everyone. Yet coming out of undergrad I had programmed myself to not let anything keep my from achieving my goal. After the mission I had this little bug in my head asking me "is this what you want?”

So I applied...I got into one school....one interview next week. Right before my first interview I knew I was going to be asked about healthcare...so I went to ask my mom's doctor to sit with me and talk about healthcare...maybe it was not a good idea...for 1 1/2 hours the guy was begging me not to go into it. He told me...”I don't want you to say 10 years from now ‘I had no Idea...no one told me’ ...he also said ".I make a lot of money ...but not because I am a doctor but because I am a good business man...I could have made money in any field....but medicine is not worth the hassle with HMO's...healthcare cost going up...their CEO’s pay is going up...but my reimbursements are going down".

I kept on telling myself ...stay strong...focus on your dream. But I don't know what other signs it would take for me to change my mind...I see a big red light telling me stop and think about this very well before you do it. You have over 25 people who a have done it and they are telling you to no do it or they are not happy doing it or not encouraging. During the past few weeks I have been thinking more and more about dentistry. I enjoyed the work I did at the mission and I have been shadowing a local dentist. They all have encouraged me to do it and have offered to help and guide me. They say I would do great in the Hispanic community I live in. Not to mention the Pay...which is much more than I thought.
I have spent hours reading this post....and I have finally made up my mind....DENTISTRY it is.....it has taken a lot for me to give up my letter of acceptance to MD school....but this all happened for a reason and I rather lose a year now ...rather than being 2, 3 , 4 or 8 years into it and realize ' what the F&*K did I get myself into' or I would not do it again if I had the chance, like most people have expressed here...and at that point most people wont quit because they are already in too deep.

One of the first persons to post in this thread said "I gave up being that person I was before I started becoming a doctor"...From an outside point of view, as a transporter for 3 years, I saw this change occur to many of the interns and residents...I know what I am right now...my personality...the lifestyle I want to live when I have a family. I don't want to give that up. I’ll still be helping people and getting paid for it...

Many people think dentistry is less prestigious than medicine. It might be to some...but what so many people have posted here...I would rather be a happy dentist (like the majority I have met)...than a doctor regretting my choice. And talk to me about prestige when you have a toothache and you come to my office.

Thanks for everyone that has posted in this thread.

Alpacizion

 

[AngryTesticle]

I live for that ****. That's why I'm in pathology. Well, that and the (dead) chicks.

Amen brutha! 👍

Except for the part about the dead chicks.

I used to miss direct patient care but not anymore. Dealing with specimens and slides are more my thing than doing a physical exam. And I don't have to fake being nice and chipper around patients anymore...I can be my angry self whenever I feel like it and that freedom is nice. Plus, when you're doing a procedure on a living patient, you have to walk through it and say stuff like, "you're going to feel some pressure". When you're cutting up a specimen to gross it in, there's none of that stuff. You just cut away. Can you imagine a pathologist telling a segment of colon, "OK, I'm going to open you up...it's going to hurt a little...then I'm going to examine your mucosa to look for any abnormalities."

 

[AngryTesticle]

Many people think dentistry is less prestigious than medicine. It might be to some...but what so many people have posted here...I would rather be a happy dentist (like the majority I have met)...than a doctor regretting my choice. And talk to me about prestige when you have a toothache and you come to my office.
[/QUOTE]
Screw prestige. One shouldn't pick a career just based on that. I admire your decision and how you're "keeping it real".

Plus, as a dentist, you can make some serious bank. Hell, my cousin who is only a few years older than me is pulling in $300K+. I ain't gonna see money like that for a long time...maybe never, unless I decide to go into private practice pathology...but even there, I may be dreaming.

 

[prominence]

i suppose the best thing may be to get your M.D. degree but not practice. rather use your M.D. to help find a career that you'll enjoy more and that will make enough money to pay back the debt.

how the f*ck do u find something like that? sign me up!

 

[mackie]

how the f*ck do u find something like that? sign me up!

I'm right behind ya! 😀

 

[pinkwank]

yes i would do it over again. no matter how bad the future of medicine seems it will always be worse for the people who know the least (ie, the patients - remember s%*! rolls downhill). there is no other field that is as important as medicine, though few in the general public understand this and many would rather spend their money on leisure than their health. i take comfort in knowing my/my family's future health will be protected because of my knowledge and skills.

 

[miamidc]

yes i would do it over again. no matter how bad the future of medicine seems it will always be worse for the people who know the least (ie, the patients - remember s%*! rolls downhill). there is no other field that is as important as medicine, though few in the general public understand this and many would rather spend their money on leisure than their health. i take comfort in knowing my/my family's future health will be protected because of my knowledge and skills.

One word. ANESTHESIOLOGY. Beats the hell out of fixing teeth and pays just as well or better, plus an incredible amount of flexability. Everything else sucks though.

 

[billydoc]

One word. ANESTHESIOLOGY. Beats the hell out of fixing teeth and pays just as well or better, plus an incredible amount of flexability. Everything else sucks though.

The only problem is there is a dent in the "paradise" ship of anesthesiology. It's called CRNA. Not applauding it, but it's a fact that can't be overlooked any longer.

 

[gujuDoc]

The only problem is there is a dent in the "paradise" ship of anesthesiology. It's called CRNA. Not applauding it, but it's a fact that can't be overlooked any longer.

To add to this, there is another new Anesthesiology thing too. I don't know what it is called, but my friend was thinking about doing this program which is like a specialized PA program for Anesthesia but not necessarily the same thing as the CRNA program. She said they come out with high high pay without the need for all the years of med school.

 

[NRAI2001]

To add to this, there is another new Anesthesiology thing too. I don't know what it is called, but my friend was thinking about doing this program which is like a specialized PA program for Anesthesia but not necessarily the same thing as the CRNA program. She said they come out with high high pay without the need for all the years of med school.

What is considered high high pay?

 

[Pir8DeacDoc]

a good CRNA will bring in 6 figures.. not bad at all for the relative amount of education they have.

 

[NRAI2001]

a good CRNA will bring in 6 figures.. not bad at all for the relative amount of education they have.

Dam, thats the same pay an internist or an FP can expect.

 

[gujuDoc]

What is considered high high pay?

A very good 6 digit figure without having to have the debt collected from medical education.

I'm talking 130k starting with only 2 years postgraduate training.

That's what she said.

 

[gujuDoc]

Dam, thats the same pay an internist or an FP can expect.

Yes but the point is that they can make that kind of money without the years of medical and residency training, so they'd make money sooner and without anywhere near the amount of debt collected by med students.

 

[medgator]

Yes but the point is that they can make that kind of money without the years of medical and residency training, so they'd make money sooner and without anywhere near the amount of debt collected by med students.

And with a MUCH reduced liability. If I remember correctly, CRNAs have to be headed up by an MD (much like a PA does). Generally, the MD will carry the burden of liability, so in that respect, being a CRNA is a pretty sweet deal.

 

[Soon2BENT]

HI

I frequently hear practicing physicians, even the ones who somewhat enjoy what they do, say that they would not do it again if given the chance. Im currentlyin the process of deciding wether or not to go to med school. I was just wondering how you residents feel about this, would you do it over again
thanks

Absolutely not. I wish I was awake during college, especially since my roommates are rolling in dough and enjoying life.

 

[NRAI2001]

Absolutely not. I wish I was awake during college, especially since my roommates are rolling in dough and enjoying life.

Answering a year after what?

 

[CameronFrye]

The only problem is there is a dent in the "paradise" ship of anesthesiology. It's called CRNA. Not applauding it, but it's a fact that can't be overlooked any longer.

Yes. CRNA's will replace anesthesiologists.

Other profound predictions:

FP's, general internists, and emergency medicine physicians will be replaced by NP's and PA's.

All radiology will be sent to India.

Telepathology and molecular pathology will eliminate the need for pathologists.

Dentists will take over all cosmetic procedures.

Interventionalists will replace all surgeons.

All Rad-onc physicians will lose their jobs once radiation becomes obsolete in the treatment of cancer.

Malpractice will put all OB/Gyn's out of business.

 

[leehrat]

Yes. CRNA's will replace anesthesiologists.

Other profound predictions:

FP's, general internists, and emergency medicine physicians will be replaced by NP's and PA's.

All radiology will be sent to India.

Telepathology and molecular pathology will eliminate the need for pathologists.

Dentists will take over all cosmetic procedures.

Interventionalists will replace all surgeons.

All Rad-onc physicians will lose their jobs once radiation becomes obsolete in the treatment of cancer.

Malpractice will put all OB/Gyn's out of business.

sounds spot on from what i've heard. nice post

 

[Soon2BENT]

Answering a year after what?

this thread was started a year ago. i guess my post makes it sound like i'm a 1st year. i'm a 4.

 

[Soon2BENT]

sounds spot on from what i've heard. nice post

seriously, is it too late for law school?

 

[NRAI2001]

seriously, is it too late for law school?

No, the need for lawyers will die as all people will become moral and just.

 

[billydoc]

Yes. CRNA's will replace anesthesiologists.

Other profound predictions:

FP's, general internists, and emergency medicine physicians will be replaced by NP's and PA's.

All radiology will be sent to India.

Telepathology and molecular pathology will eliminate the need for pathologists.

Dentists will take over all cosmetic procedures.

Interventionalists will replace all surgeons.

All Rad-onc physicians will lose their jobs once radiation becomes obsolete in the treatment of cancer.

Malpractice will put all OB/Gyn's out of business.

Ahhh! The great expectations of the very promissing future lol.
May be I should go CRNA route. I have my RN for 15 years,damn it. What the heck am I getting myself into with the med school? 😱

 

[billydoc]

And with a MUCH reduced liability. If I remember correctly, CRNAs have to be headed up by an MD (much like a PA does). Generally, the MD will carry the burden of liability, so in that respect, being a CRNA is a pretty sweet deal.

Absolutely not. In most States CRNA are completely autonomous, and the only doc that's present is the sergeon. CRNAs also can bill directly. I know one in Connecticut. She pulls $250K+ working 12-14hrs shift, but very predictable schedule. Not bad,huh?

 

[doclm]

One word. ANESTHESIOLOGY. Beats the hell out of fixing teeth and pays just as well or better, plus an incredible amount of flexability. Everything else sucks though.

To you mabey. But what exactly are your fixing? Artlines, CRNA attitudes, TEG tracings, difficult intubations? I sure hope you make more considering a Dentist or someone in a similar field could work twice as much to keep up with your schedule.

 

[doclm]

a good CRNA will bring in 6 figures.. not bad at all for the relative amount of education they have.

The starting pay that I have seen where I work is 105K for CRNA's. I know a few that work only 3 days a week one place and work somewhere else over weekends. They bring in close to 200K.

For education a CRNA needs to have a BSN (4 yr RN) first, work in a ICU preferrably cardiac for 2 yrs, take the GRE and enter into a full time 2 yr masters program that leads up to the CRNA. I have a few friends who are saying the hell with med school and are getting paid $25/HR while they sit back in their laboratory positions working 2yrs towards a BSN. Then will be making about $27/HR plus shift differential to study for thier GRE, save up $$ for their two years of lost wage while in CRNA school. After getting done with their degree within 4-6 years from now with zero debt and a positive saving account they will jump right into making $105+K per year. If staying within the same medical center, they will be able to retire within 30 years with not only tons of saved up $$, but a great pension that pays a lot of $$ each year for the rest of your life.

 

[billydoc]

The starting pay that I have seen where I work is 105K for CRNA's. I know a few that work only 3 days a week one place and work somewhere else over weekends. They bring in close to 200K.

For education a CRNA needs to have a BSN (4 yr RN) first, work in a ICU preferrably cardiac for 2 yrs, take the GRE and enter into a full time 2 yr masters program that leads up to the CRNA. I have a few friends who are saying the hell with med school and are getting paid $25/HR while they sit back in their laboratory positions working 2yrs towards a BSN. Then will be making about $27/HR plus shift differential to study for thier GRE, save up $$ for their two years of lost wage while in CRNA school. After getting done with their degree within 4-6 years from now with zero debt and a positive saving account they will jump right into making $105+K per year. If staying within the same medical center, they will be able to retire within 30 years with not only tons of saved up $$, but a great pension that pays a lot of $$ each year for the rest of your life.

All that is true. But...why do ppl become doctors in the first place? I hope ppl don't get into medicine with an idea that"Dr makes a lot of money". Well some do and some don't, just like in any other field. BTW CRNA schools are even mor competitive than some med schools. They are also quite pricey, and suffer from the chronic lack of the qualified instructors. Heck. who'd wanna make $40k when they could pull over $200K? If you think about the time it takes one to become CRNA, it would be quite comparable to the time it takes to become GP. But in the end, it still may not be what you wanted, because you are not a docter,and will never be seen as one. I know a coupple of CRNAs who still went on to med school. There is no substitute for it. May be in the end of the day, the'll realize it wasn't worth it to them. But how would you know if you never tried? I must say that in NY/NJ area one doesn't need to be CRNA to pull upwards of $100K+. I make as a home care nurse, and have ability to up or down regulate my income. Generally, these days possibilities are endless in nursing. And it doesn't have to be a bed side work. It's where mostly new graduates wind up before they burn out. But the idea of regreting not doing what you wanted, later on in life is what's daunting to many of us, who have been in health care for a while. I guess this premed idialization does not go away at any age, as long as one is still pre not post med school

 

[miamidc]

The only problem is there is a dent in the "paradise" ship of anesthesiology. It's called CRNA. Not applauding it, but it's a fact that can't be overlooked any longer.

CRNA's will Always be Mid-levels in any large city. That is just the way the cookie crumbles. IT is analogous to any PA or NP working for an IM or FP guy, or PA woking for an Orthopedist, etc., etc. The autonomy only comes into play in rural areas where the need mandates it, and safety is less of an issue. Believe me the demand accross the country is too great, and studies of outcomes have shown that Anesthesiology has a very bright future indeed. Anyone intersested should do some heavy research as I have concerning the issue. Gas a goldmine and all the naysayers can go find something else to do. I must say, I am very, very happy right now, and almost any attending GAsMan will tell you how much they enjoy their life. As for almost anything else in Medicine, I just don't think I would be happy doing. Just my $.02. Gas rules.

 

[billydoc]

CRNA's will Always be Mid-levels in any large city. That is just the way the cookie crumbles. IT is analogous to any PA or NP working for an IM or FP guy, or PA woking for an Orthopedist, etc., etc. The autonomy only comes into play in rural areas where the need mandates it, and safety is less of an issue. Believe me the demand accross the country is too great, and studies of outcomes have shown that Anesthesiology has a very bright future indeed. Anyone intersested should do some heavy research as I have concerning the issue. Gas a goldmine and all the naysayers can go find something else to do. I must say, I am very, very happy right now, and almost any attending GAsMan will tell you how much they enjoy their life. As for almost anything else in Medicine, I just don't think I would be happy doing. Just my $.02. Gas rules.

You are right about the fact that Anesthesiology is not on the verge of instiction. But many CRNAs are independent practitioners.Their practice is not governed by the medical boards, but by BONs. CRNA I know works with a very large and established plastic surgery group in Fairfield county in CT. That's closest county to NYC, so...not exactly what you'd call rural. There are no other MDs overseeng her. She partners with another CRNA. Surgeons are very pleased with their services,and couldn't careless more about the "midlevel" vs "upper" level vs balcony So the CRNA factor is here to stay, and many PRACTICING MD/DO A's have taken a notice of it, just like FP/GP with an FNP. You can't quite compare the legal aspect of advansed practice nurses vs their PA/AA counterparts, because the later need to work unde MD/DO supervision. But I bage you,readers, not to get into silly,pointless arguement of NP/CRNA vs PA/AA. I'm just stating the fact, and simply state the observation of things that I know about first hand, not heresay.Take it for what it's worth.

 

[miamidc]

You are right about the fact that Anesthesiology is not on the verge of instiction. But many CRNAs are independent practitioners.Their practice is not governed by the medical boards, but by BONs. CRNA I know works with a very large and established plastic surgery group in Fairfield county in CT. That's closest county to NYC, so...not exactly what you'd call rural. There are no other MDs overseeng her. She partners with another CRNA. Surgeons are very pleased with their services,and couldn't careless more about the "midlevel" vs "upper" level vs balcony So the CRNA factor is here to stay, and many PRACTICING MD/DO A's have taken a notice of it, just like FP/GP with an FNP. You can't quite compare the legal aspect of advansed practice nurses vs their PA/AA counterparts, because the later need to work unde MD/DO supervision. But I bage you,readers, not to get into silly,pointless arguement of NP/CRNA vs PA/AA. I'm just stating the fact, and simply state the observation of things that I know about first hand, not heresay.Take it for what it's worth.

Even if CRNA's can practice independantly in many states, there is WAY too much demand for CRNA's to take over this specialty, and MDAs will always get paid more. anyways if that were ever to remotly become the case, its all PAIN Management for me, and CRNA def do not have a hold on that. For all of you med students, premeds, just do whatever you like. For me their is no question. All I ask is that you do your research before spewing questionable knowledge to very immpressionable young people. 🙂

 

[Plastikos]

Even if CRNA's can practice independantly in many states, there is WAY too much demand for CRNA's to take over this specialty, and MDAs will always get paid more. anyways if that were ever to remotly become the case, its all PAIN Management for me, and CRNA def do not have a hold on that. For all of you med students, premeds, just do whatever you like. For me their is no question. All I ask is that you do your research before spewing questionable knowledge to very immpressionable young people. 🙂

I agree with that last statement fully. If you can remember just a couple years back rads/gas/derm were all terrible fields that either you were too embarassed to go into or were dying. Just look at the difference now. Of course there will be periodic challenges and changes to all fields, but there will be very few, if any actual doomsday scenarios.

 

[humuhumu]

I agree with that last statement fully. If you can remember just a couple years back rads/gas/derm were all terrible fields that either you were too embarassed to go into or were dying. Just look at the difference now. Of course there will be periodic challenges and changes to all fields, but there will be very few, if any actual doomsday scenarios.

Do you think the threat of radiology outsourcing is overblown? I'd like to think it is, but it makes me nervous.

 

[gujuDoc]

I think that over exaggeration made earlier about how every field is doomed, is a little overblown. maybe some day in the very very very very distant future, that is possible. But I doubt we'd see that drastic of a decline in our lifetimes. What is realistic, though, is lesser and lesser autonomy and compensation. Those are more serious problems then worrying about whether people will have jobs in a particular field because we are still worlds away from curing many diseases like cancer, heart disease, and so forth.

 

[pinkwank]

outsourcing of radiology will effect all specialities. ekg's, echo's, etc can easily be outsourced. path slides will be outsourced. there are even cameras in icu's and experiements with robotics which means medicine and surgery may also be outsourced. furthermore, with increasing non-invasive surgeries there will be a decline in demand for anes. bottom line is: every speciality has doom day scenarios, which will never occur. if anything outsourcing will get rid of the minor studies and allow docs to work on more complicated/better reimbursment studies/procedures.

 

[gujuDoc]

Oh Good Lord. I call a day a success when I don't have to get involved in anything remotely smacking of social work.

Dude. That's why they have "case managers" working on the wards. So you don't have to waste your time on that kind of thing.

Not to revive this thread, but just wanted to find a post from Panda Bear so I could say HOPE THE NEWS WAS GOOD TODAY!!!!!!! Good luck!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully you got better news this year then last year from the match. Let us know how it went, cuz we are all rooting for you.

 

[NRAI2001]

outsourcing of radiology will effect all specialities. ekg's, echo's, etc can easily be outsourced. path slides will be outsourced. there are even cameras in icu's and experiements with robotics which means medicine and surgery may also be outsourced. furthermore, with increasing non-invasive surgeries there will be a decline in demand for anes. bottom line is: every speciality has doom day scenarios, which will never occur. if anything outsourcing will get rid of the minor studies and allow docs to work on more complicated/better reimbursment studies/procedures.

Hasn't the thread gone off topic? Outsourcing and job markets are a totally different topic; maybe someone could start a different thread for those? 🙂

 

[blkprl]

No way, not a chance. But I don't really know what I would choose to do instead either. Drinking beer and watching sports just haven't made it as a career path. Like just about everyone who've posted here have said, medical school is so different in ways that are hard to explain than you could possibly imagine. There is really little resemblance between what I pictured medical school, residency, and practice to be like and the reality. At times you may feel misled. It is in some ways a bit of a trap, the med school thing, and by the time you have a grasp on it, it is too late to easily turn back. I am a little surprised how many positive responses there have been here. I can't decide if these are just better people, more naive, or folks who chose their specialties wiser. For me, the whole experience and how bizarre it really is have proven to be isolating. You simply cannot explain or complain to your friends, family, spouse about the realities of medicine and expect them to really be able to understand. Even when they listen and sympathize and seem to get it, they really don't. Try it and see. Other docs will nod knowingly, but everyone else is left out of the little club.

I can recall a clinical professor telling our class one day late in the M2 year, "You will never be as nice a person as you are right now." It has proven to be true for alot of us. That is one major reason I wouldn't do it over. In some ways, I would rather be the person I was before I went to med school, even if it was founded on ignorance and naivete. I wasn't nearly as cynical, impatient, hateful, and disinterested toward humanity in general. I didn't stay so stressed all the time. The water tasted better. The air was fresher. I wasn't so fat.

I don't see too many practicing docs who unequivocally without pause would say they would do it all over. Most don't REALLY enjoy seeing the majority of their patients; they have to see them to be able to do what it is they do for/to them. The patient happens to be the only place to find coronaries to stent, etc. Just check out the tremendous resentment clinical docs have toward those who managed to avoid the whole seeing-patients-for-a-living bit, particularly rads. Seeing patients is a terrible burden alot of the time. You cannot appreciate how many crazy, stupid, and screwed-up people are out there until you go to med school. People you wouldn't even come across on your worst day in Walmart will suddenly be there in the ER to see you. The personality pathology alone is astonishing. Reasonable, intelligent people are so rare. You truly get a different view of human nature as a doc.

People are much less respectful and appreciative in general than you probably expect. It is a business through and through. Managed care runs everything. Cookbook medicine is rampant. Forget about much intellectual stimulation. The reseach being done is mostly worthless and tainted by drug companies. Evidence-based medicine is a lie and a hoax. Administrators will drive you nuts. You get put in impossible situations all the time. Gomers really don't die, it's true. You'll send granny to a nursing homes and not even think twice about it. You'll be ordering pain meds and benzos for all sorts of losers like a waiter in some cheap restaurant. They'll demand demerol, and send it with phenergan on the side. No, don't try to substitute, look at all those drug allergies.

What was it called? The Hypocritic Oath? Something like that.

maybe you should voulunteer overseas, that may help you feel better about your decision to become a doctor. the patients are more appreciative and you feel important....

 

[drPLUM]

No, the need for lawyers will die as all people will become moral and just.

Post of the year, IMO.

 

[8744]

HI

I frequently hear practicing physicians, even the ones who somewhat enjoy what they do, say that they would not do it again if given the chance. Im currentlyin the process of deciding wether or not to go to med school. I was just wondering how you residents feel about this, would you do it over again
thanks

No.

 

[8744]

With the caveat that now that I have matched in what I wanted to do I think everythng is going to work out.

 

[humuhumu]

With the caveat that now that I have matched in what I wanted to do I think everythng is going to work out.

Well, of course you wouldn't do it AGAIN - going through med school and residency ONCE is enough - but do you regret ever pursuing medicine at all?

 

[NRAI2001]

With the caveat that now that I have matched in what I wanted to do I think everythng is going to work out.

I think i might have asked you this before......but what did you match into and where did you go to school?

 

[8744]

Well, of course you wouldn't do it AGAIN - going through med school and residency ONCE is enough - but do you regret ever pursuing medicine at all?

Hey, I'm doing OB this month. I regret it every goddamn day because OB is the rotation from ****ing hell.

And I guarantee that you will have days, maybe weeks, when you look around at the financial ruin your life has become over the past five years, the crappy pay, and the long hours and you will wonder what the hell you were thinking and why you burned so intensely to be a doctor in the first place. The saccharine platitudes about your dedication and compassion which made your AMCAS personal statement such a chore to read are going to be small comfort and your boy Ghandi or whoever the hell you claimed as your inspiration ain't going to help you then.

Sacrament is the only guy who makes any sense on this thread and you need to take what he says on this and other threads to heart.

But I'll fell better about things in a couple of months. I matched into Emergency Medicine and I start in July. (But I am repeating intern year.)

 

[NRAI2001]

Hey, I'm doing OB this month. I regret it every goddamn day because OB is the rotation from ****ing hell.

And I guarantee that you will have days, maybe weeks, when you look around at the financial ruin your life has become over the past five years, the crappy pay, and the long hours and you will wonder what the hell you were thinking and why you burned so intensely to be a doctor in the first place. The saccharine platitudes about your dedication and compassion which made your AMCAS personal statement such a chore to read are going to be small comfort and your boy Ghandi or whoever the hell you claimed as your inspiration ain't going to help you then.

Sacrament is the only guy who makes any sense on this thread and you need to take what he says on this and other threads to heart.

But I'll fell better about things in a couple of months. I matched into Emergency Medicine and I start in July. (But I am repeating intern year.)

I was discussing this with this doctor I knew and also another friend of mine; but how much do ER docs make on a yearly basis? I think it was around 250 to 300k a year? This doctor I knew was an IM generalist in private practice and was making $320k a year. Is that common for a primary care doc?

 

[8744]

I was discussing this with this doctor I knew and also another friend of mine; but how much do ER docs make on a yearly basis? I think it was around 250 to 300k a year? This doctor I knew was an IM generalist in private practice and was making $320k a year. Is that common for a primary care doc?

EM makes good money and I hope the trend continues. A local group is offering $180 per hour for a BC EM physician. Primary care doesn't make nearly as much.

 

[funkless]

Hey, I'm doing OB this month. I regret it every goddamn day because OB is the rotation from ****ing hell.

...

(But I am repeating intern year.)

Repeating intern year and currently on OB? You have every right to be jaded/bitter/tired. Stay strong, you politically-misguided Republican, you. Better days await. 👍

 

[8744]

Repeating intern year and currently on OB? You have every right to be jaded/bitter/tired. Stay strong, you politically-misguided Republican, you. Better days await. 👍

Thanks. I confes your post made me all misty and I had to wipe my eyes with the corner of my pointy hood.

 

[willbailey]

Would I do it again?

No. Just read my other post--I'm about to start an intern year and when I finish it, I'm done.

DON'T go into medicine unless you have LOTS and LOTS of exposure to the clinical side! I didn't really know what med school would be like, since I don't have any friends or relatives in the field, so I got suckered in by the promise of money and prestige.

I got into a great med school, because I had great scores and I have lots of other interests. No one told me that in medicine, you REALLY REALLY have to love it...otherwise, you just can't justify the work. I know I can't.

For the majority of people, money will NOT buy happiness. I know that I can stay on this path of medicine and make tons of cash, but I'll never be happy. I'll always hate going to work.

Please don't go into medicine unless you'd do it regardless of the money or prestige.

 

[8744]

Would I do it again?

No. Just read my other post--I'm about to start an intern year and when I finish it, I'm done.

DON'T go into medicine unless you have LOTS and LOTS of exposure to the clinical side! I didn't really know what med school would be like, since I don't have any friends or relatives in the field, so I got suckered in by the promise of money and prestige.

I got into a great med school, because I had great scores and I have lots of other interests. No one told me that in medicine, you REALLY REALLY have to love it...otherwise, you just can't justify the work. I know I can't.

For the majority of people, money will NOT buy happiness. I know that I can stay on this path of medicine and make tons of cash, but I'll never be happy. I'll always hate going to work.

Please don't go into medicine unless you'd do it regardless of the money or prestige.

I'm sorry it didn't work out for you but your honesty is refreshing. Still, you never know. Even though being an intern is in many ways worse than being a medical student, it is at least different and it is, on many occasions, pretty cool to be a doctor.

And although I loved medical school, I was kind of in your shoes last year after I scrambled into a specialty which I never really liked and grew to like even less. But I'm pretty gung ho now and am looking forward to EM.

I'm glad to see that you stuck it out.