If you could go back, would you still consider being a Physician?

[scurred09]

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Given our ailing economy, healthcare issues, the cost of medical schools, the long intern/residency hours, and whatever else you could think of. If you weren't so far in the process, would you still...
1) want to be a physician?
2) pursue other healthcare jobs such as NP, PA, RT, CRNA, etc. instead?
3) get out of medicine altogether?

 

[deleted21609]

Given our ailing economy, healthcare issues, the cost of medical schools, the long intern/residency hours, and whatever else you could think of. If you weren't so far in the process, would you still...
1) want to be a physician?

probably, but less so now

2) pursue other healthcare jobs such as NP, PA, RT, CRNA, etc. instead?

definately not

3) get out of medicine altogether?

probably not

 

[Substance]

If I could go back to the 70s and 80s I'd DEFINITELY be a physician. No questions asked.

 

[colbgw02]

It's painful to say this, but I'd probably go into dentistry.

 

[medicinesux]

NOOOOOOO!to the first 2 questions. Since I couldn't blow up the script big enough to answer your third question I thought I would leave it to the following clip to more accurately portray my response on whether I would leave medicine altogether:


[YOUTUBE]OxZ1WckmV_Y[/YOUTUBE]

 

[scurred09]

I'm one of those wavering students who can't decide between med vs. pa school vs. dentistry. Among the others, perhaps being a PA may suck less given the shorter education and less debt. I think life sucks for us pre-meds who can't decide. If you guys dont mind. Can you share with me atleast 3 things that totally suck about medicine right now? Thanks.

NOOOOOOO!to the first 2 questions. Since I couldn't blow up the script big enough to answer your third question I thought I would leave it to the following clip to more accurately portray my response on whether I would leave medicine altogether:


[YOUTUBE]OxZ1WckmV_Y[/YOUTUBE]

 

[DrJosephKim]

I think that many physicians are captivated by the science of medicine. Fewer enjoy patient care. Fortunately, there are ways to have careers where you get to enjoy the science of medicine without being in a clinical setting.

 

[Substance]

I think that many physicians are captivated by the science of medicine. Fewer enjoy patient care. Fortunately, there are ways to have careers where you get to enjoy the science of medicine without being in a clinical setting.

Two words:

radiology

pathology

 

[RegularNihilist]

Radiology, at least a profession where you can do something that you are proud of. Nothing shows off how smart and talented you are like looking at images the whole day, and describing what you see. A car mechanic needs to be smarter than a radiologist. No, let me correct that. A car mechanic needs to be smarter than a surgeon and a radiologist combined. I hate this occupation. I wish I had the talent to do something valuable, but cramming, eating up books, learning by heart is all that I am good at. So yeah, I would pick medicine again. Because it is the best I can do, but it still sux.

 

[gluon999]

A car mechanic needs to be smarter than a radiologist. No, let me correct that. A car mechanic needs to be smarter than a surgeon and a radiologist combined.

huh? 🙄

 

[filter07]

Radiology, at least a profession where you can do something that you are proud of. Nothing shows off how smart and talented you are like looking at images the whole day, and describing what you see. A car mechanic needs to be smarter than a radiologist. No, let me correct that. A car mechanic needs to be smarter than a surgeon and a radiologist combined. I hate this occupation. I wish I had the talent to do something valuable, but cramming, eating up books, learning by heart is all that I am good at. So yeah, I would pick medicine again. Because it is the best I can do, but it still sux.

dumbest post today

 

[GoodmanBrown]

dumbest post today

I think he might be an awesomely prolific troll. I've never seen him (her?) post before today, but s/he has posts in like 5 threads I've just read. Needless to say, they're all super anti-medicine.

 

[slippy22]

NOOOOOOO!to the first 2 questions. Since I couldn't blow up the script big enough to answer your third question I thought I would leave it to the following clip to more accurately portray my response on whether I would leave medicine altogether:


[YOUTUBE]OxZ1WckmV_Y[/YOUTUBE]

What would you have become instead?

 

[RegularNihilist]

dumbest post today

Most specific answer this week.

Care to elaborate?

How much IQ do you feel is necessary to cut out an inflamed appendix? How much IQ do you feel is necessary to diagnose a pheochromocytoma? How much IQ do you need to do an apley test? Compare that to figuring out what is wrong with a broken down car, stuffed as much electronics as an airplane.

I am not anti-medicine. I am not anti-janitors either. Doesn't mean I would want such a job.

 

[filter07]

So why don't you become a mechanic? Not smart enough?

 

[RegularNihilist]

So why don't you become a mechanic? Not smart enough?

Hey, how about sharing your own thoughts on the topic. You are making this thread about me.

Short A to your Q:
Mechanic: No potential to be perceived as smart, not respected in the general population.
Doctor: No potential to be perceived as smart, RESPECTED in the general population, good PAY.

Kinda logical, when you think about it. Which I think you can. Even though you do not really need to.

 

[scurred09]

I am going thru a midlife crisis and I would really appreciate it if you guys could stay on topic and give me some advice. Thank you kindly.

 

[Pilot Doc]

What do we have to do with your midlife crisis?

But getting back to the original question, yes, I'd do it again.

I could certainly make some more informed choices along the way. Medicine is certainly not what it once was, but it gives you a pretty much guaranteed interesting job and secure upper-middle class for as long as you want it. Not a bad deal.

 

[error404]

I went into medicine thinking that it would be seriously frustrating and the pay would never be as good as I expected.

I'm surprised by how much I like what I do. I'd do it again.

 

[maceo]

I am going thru a midlife crisis and I would really appreciate it if you guys could stay on topic and give me some advice. Thank you kindly.

1) too long and humiliating of a process and most of the training is just downright hazing.
2) physicians dont have the autonmy that they used to.
3) and the pay for all your hard work is a little more than a busy car mechanic would make.. soooo...
and... nurses can do your job..

 

[scurred09]

Hey Doc. Can you elaborate on the sentence below?

What do we have to do with your midlife crisis?

But getting back to the original question, yes, I'd do it again.

I could certainly make some more informed choices along the way. Medicine is certainly not what it once was, but it gives you a pretty much guaranteed interesting job and secure upper-middle class for as long as you want it. Not a bad deal.

 

[scurred09]

That is wise grasshopper.

I went into medicine thinking that it would be seriously frustrating and the pay would never be as good as I expected.

I'm surprised by how much I like what I do. I'd do it again.

 

[scurred09]

Would PA be a better route for you? or would you just get out of medicine altogether? What would you do other than medicine?

1) too long and humiliating of a process and most of the training is just downright hazing.
2) physicians dont have the autonmy that they used to.
3) and the pay for all your hard work is a little more than a busy car mechanic would make.. soooo...
and... nurses can do your job..

 

[WholeLottaGame7]

How much IQ do you feel is necessary to cut out an inflamed appendix? How much IQ do you feel is necessary to diagnose a pheochromocytoma? How much IQ do you need to do an apley test? Compare that to figuring out what is wrong with a broken down car, stuffed as much electronics as an airplane.

Reminds me of the following joke:
A mechanic was removing the cylinder heads from the motor of a car,when he spotted a world-famous heart surgeon in his shop. The
heart surgeon was standing off to the side, waiting for the service manager to come take a look at his car. The mechanic shouted across the garage, "Hello Doctor, please come on over here for a minute."

The famous surgeon, a bit surprised, walked over to the mechanic where he stood. The mechanic straightened up, wiped his hands on a rag and asked, "So doctor, look at this here. I also open hearts, take valves out, grind 'em, put in new parts, and when I finish this will work just like a new one. So how come you get the really big money, when you and I are doing basically the same work?" The doctor smiled, leaned over, and whispered to the mechanic

"Try doing it with the engine running!"

You can get all technical and say that technically the engine isn't running since it's on CPB, but the point remains. I think it's a wee bit different.