Image of "not a real doctor"

[Jacobim]

I was wondering if anyone going into rads was concerned about this 'not a real doctor' image or the fact that they may not be seeing a lot of patients, and if they got over it once they started. I would appreciate any thoughts on this topic, thanks.

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[hans19]

I was wondering if anyone going into rads was concerned about this 'not a real doctor' image or the fact that they may not be seeing a lot of patients, and if they got over it once they started. I would appreciate any thoughts on this topic, thanks.

Nope.

I AM a doctor. My interpretations often influence how clinicians decide to treat their patients. I will be well compensated for a job I enjoy. That is more than enough for me.

When people outside the hospital find out you are a doctor, its often a pain in the ass. A lot of times its more convenient to lie and tell them you do something else for a living. People will try to solicit medical advice from you or give you a sarcastic 'OOOOOOH!!!.' you or even resent your success. It gets old really fast.

If being known as 'REAL' doctor is really important to you, radiology might not be the right field for you.

If the IMAGE of being a 'REAL' doctor is an equal or greater concern to you than patient care and patient well being, you might want to reevaluate your motivations for pursuing medicine.

 

[ana]

I was wondering if anyone going into rads was concerned about this 'not a real doctor' image or the fact that they may not be seeing a lot of patients, and if they got over it once they started. I would appreciate any thoughts on this topic, thanks.

I never think about this at all. I don't know of any radiologist who ever worries about this.

 

[Whisker Barrel Cortex]

It doesn't really bother me day to day. However, it pisses me off when people I know in other specialties who have no idea what our job really entails (mostly medicine people who never come down to review studies) harp on this issue. Its always in a joking manner, but gets pretty annoying after a while.

 

[doc05]

I always considered not seeing patients to be a distinct advantage of radiology. The "real doctor" image is nonsense.

 

[ana]

I always considered not seeing patients to be a distinct advantage of radiology. The "real doctor" image is nonsense.

You can see as many patients as you want for procedures, fluoroscopic studies, interventional stuff, ultrasound ... you just don't have to be responsible for chronic conditions or long term patient care. Many radiologist don't want patient contact, so those who do get as much as they want. In mammography clinic, I do 4-5 biopsies; when I do GI, I work with at leas 10 pts per day; etc.

 

[jdog]

You can see as many patients as you want for procedures, fluoroscopic studies, interventional stuff, ultrasound ... you just don't have to be responsible for chronic conditions or long term patient care. Many radiologist don't want patient contact, so those who do get as much as they want. In mammography clinic, I do 4-5 biopsies; when I do GI, I work with at leas 10 pts per day; etc.

The way I like to think of myself is an M.D. Did you ever notice that all M.D's have their name followed by M.D., not Dr. followed by name. That is because someone who has a doctorate degree in Ancient Middle Eastern Basketweaving is a "doctor". We are PHYSICIANS.
Honestly, I would say that the field outside of the medical profession that probably gets the least respect is Dermatology. Too bad they are laughing all the way to the country club and the bank.
If you are worrying about others perceptions, get over it now. The medical field values all specialties because we need them all.

 

[Jacobim]

Thanks for your replies. I'm interested in radiology, but this was a complaint I had heard from several residents...I figured most radiologists didn't feel this way. It does seem frustrating if other physicians do not utilize the radiologists to the full extent...

 

[Jim Picotte]

I think you'll get over the whole "not a real doctor" complaint quickly. In fact, there are few specialties left that fit in the traditional mold of what people think of as a real doctor....the GP in the office taking care of everything. Medicine is too complex and specialized today. Anyway, I feel like I'm a real doctor, sometimes more now than when I worked in FP or Medicine.

I remember when I graduated from medicial school, I had M.D. put on a few credit cards, checks and bank account. You quickly get over this short lived power high and I have since removed any mention of M.D. on anything personal. When I'm out in a non professional setting and someone asks me what I do, I tell them I'm in Information and Imaging services at the hospital...I think they assume this is computer related and don't ask anymore questions.

 

[eddieberetta]

When I'm out in a non professional setting and someone asks me what I do, I tell them I'm in Information and Imaging services at the hospital...I think they assume this is computer related and don't ask anymore questions.

Sorry man, but i think its pretty sad that you are reluctant to tell people exactly what you do. I am happy to tell people I'm a radiology resident, if asked. I have noticed (at least where I live)that there is increasing name recognition in our specialty, and I seldom have to explain what we do. I hope there are other people out there that take pride in our job. We work very hard, and provide a vital medical service. At my hospital everybody know this, especially the surgical / trauma services with whom we work closely all night long on call.

As for being a "real" doctor, this is really not an issue for me. I feel that more of my time is spent in "medical" activity (finding pathology, differentials, checking labs) than most other specialties (arranging discharges, calling consults etc) that I have worked in. Anyone who has been to radiology rounds will realize just how medical the specialty is.

 

[ana]

Sorry man, but i think its pretty sad that you are reluctant to tell people exactly what you do. I am happy to tell people I'm a radiology resident, if asked. I have noticed (at least where I live)that there is increasing name recognition in our specialty, and I seldom have to explain what we do. I hope there are other people out there that take pride in our job. We work very hard, and provide a vital medical service. At my hospital everybody know this, especially the surgical / trauma services with whom we work closely all night long on call.

As for being a "real" doctor, this is really not an issue for me. I feel that more of my time is spent in "medical" activity (finding pathology, differentials, checking labs) than most other specialties (arranging discharges, calling consults etc) that I have worked in. Anyone who has been to radiology rounds will realize just how medical the specialty is.

I don't think he was avoiding telling people what he did because he is ashamed of it. I think his point was, you get over the prestige thing of being a physician.

Frankly, I too avoid mentioning I am a physician unless I am asked directly. You have no idea how socially intrusive some people can be once they find out you have a medical license. There have been people I just met ask for medical advice, prescriptions, etc. Once, a couple whipped out an MRI for a second opinion. No matter how politely you try to explain why you will not do this for them (ethical, legal, and liability issues), some people will take offense. To be fair, I do refer them appropriately.

If cornered, my favorite reply to questions about my profession is a direct "I am a radiologist." Many people do not know what that is and assume I am the person who takes their CXRs. I don't bother to correct them unless they are someone I expect to have a long acquaintance with.

 

[TheDudeabides]

I tell them I am a porn star, they usually know what that is

I don't think he was avoiding telling people what he did because he is ashamed of it. I think his point was, you get over the prestige thing of being a physician.

Frankly, I too avoid mentioning I am a physician unless I am asked directly. You have no idea how socially intrusive some people can be once they find out you have a medical license. There have been people I just met ask for medical advice, prescriptions, etc. Once, a couple whipped out an MRI for a second opinion. No matter how politely you try to explain why you will not do this for them (ethical, legal, and liability issues), some people will take offense. To be fair, I do refer them appropriately.

If cornered, my favorite reply to questions about my profession is a direct "I am a radiologist." Many people do not know what that is and assume I am the person who takes their CXRs. I don't bother to correct them unless they are someone I expect to have a long acquaintance with.

 

[LADoc00]

I tell them I am a porn star, they usually know what that is

Rads is basically the porn industry of medicine, so youre are right on the money there.

 

[Docxter]

Rads is basically the porn industry of medicine

Interesting. I just read two of your posts bashing radiology. Then I did a forum search. It's obvious you have a major MAJOR chip on your shoulder against radiology as a field altogether and radiologists as well. Does thinking about radiology bother you at night too? Can't get sleep thinking about it? And why? Did your wife run away with a radiologist or something? You couldn't get in or maybe you could, but decided not to and now you're regretting it? OK. I won't play psychiatrist. But why don't you just chill or if it's bothering you too much, get some professional psych help to get over it. Why is it that a few pathologists or ones in-the-making feel the need to bash radiology on these forums? Why? Inferiority complex? Or something else that you would want to enlighten us with? Pathology is a great field too, like almost all fields in medicine. We all contribute to patient care, one way or the other. Every now and then we have some friction with someone in another specialty. But that's life. Get over it.

 

[Docxter]

I was wondering if anyone going into rads was concerned about this 'not a real doctor' image or the fact that they may not be seeing a lot of patients, and if they got over it once they started. I would appreciate any thoughts on this topic, thanks.

Doctor image? What doctor image? Image for who? Yourself? Your mom? Your wife and mother-in-law? The girl/boy you want to pick up at the bar? Your buddies? Or for your fellow physicians? I don't even know what a real doctor image is. If you're thinking about the primary care doc image, you won't have it, because you won't be anyone's primary care physician. You'll be a specialist/consultant. Your image will reflect what you and how good you do it. I get more than enough oohhs and aahhs in from other physicians finding out I'm a radiologist, if that's what you're looking for. Mind you, I never get them from lay people (who don't know what a radiologist is) or even from allied health professionals like respiratory, lab techs, or even many nurses. My empirical observation, which I've confirmed for myself over and over, is that the people who really know what you do (the minority), really respect you and you certainly have a "doctor image" for them. Those who don't really know what you do or have just heard about it, well, are clueless.

If you do a good job, if you make a difference in the patient's care (something more and more as radiology has advanced and taken a more central role), you will have an important consultant/specialist doctor image. If you're lazy, don't want to work hard, or don't care about patients and other physicians seeking your help, then you lack the doctor image. Every night I'm on call in the ED reading room, about 50-75 physicians or physicians-in-training come down to the ED to seek my opinion on something, and most often, my opinion is a major turning point in the patient's workup and care. This is in addition to me and my colleagues' reports who get on the hospital computer system immediately, often 15min-1hr from the time the study is done. So, yes, you can have a great "image" if you're in need of one. It just won't be your traditional primary care doc image and it depends on how good you are and how hard-working you want to be.

As a side note, what is the "doctor image" as portrayed on TV and the media? In the 50s-60s, it was this old guy carrying a big black "doctor's bag". In the 70s-80s, it was someone wearing a white coat with a stethoscope in their pocket. Later, it was someone in a pair of scrubs, this time with the stethoscope around their neck. Nowadays, it's someone who, regardless of what their wearing or carrying, is standing in front of a CT or MRI (nevermind that often the films are hung backwards or upside down).

 

[RADRULES]

Boy, I sure miss this forum....

Real doctor!? Give me a break, that is the last thing I would ever want. I want to collect a "real doctor" paycheck and NOT deal with the inordinate amount of BS in modern medicine.

Radiology is one of the top fields in medicine and should be for the forseeable future. If concern over your "image" is that important to you, obviously there are many other issues you need to address, like why it is important to you.

 

[samsoccer7]

Radiology effects nearly every single patient that comes into a hospital these days, it's insane. You get a CT before you get a room in the ER. The real doctor stuff is crap. If you wanna be a glorified social worker, be a "real doctor." If you truly want to have an impact on patient care, radiology is a great way to do it.

Also, people think other specialties are dumb for their own reasons, but until you need someone in that field, you'll never really know what kind of impact they can have. I've heard wonderful stories of people with neurological problems being seen by neurologists, neurosurgeons, specialists 'round, but it was the neuroradiologists who actually made the diagnosis, and that patient has never forgotten it. You can have an impact in anything.

 

[biers6]

At least within the hospital radiologists are doctors' doctors.

 

[ToxicFugu]

Boy, I sure miss this forum....

Real doctor!? Give me a break, that is the last thing I would ever want. I want to collect a "real doctor" paycheck and NOT deal with the inordinate amount of BS in modern medicine.

Radiology is one of the top fields in medicine and should be for the forseeable future. If concern over your "image" is that important to you, obviously there are many other issues you need to address, like why it is important to you.

I agree with this on two counts: first, there is so much absolute BS in medical care that gets in the way with actually treating the patient. Radiologists bypass a lot of the BS to get to the root of the matter. Like another poster said, some people get imaging done before they even get a room in the ER. This is how essential and important radiology is.

Also, radiology is the future of medicine. Example, ten years ago, gastroenterology used to be one of the most lucrative specialties in medicine because of colonoscopies and other important procedures, these procedures will soon be replaced by non-invasive radiological techniques.

 

[SoCalRULES!!!!!]

Interesting. I just read two of your posts bashing radiology. Then I did a forum search. It's obvious you have a major MAJOR chip on your shoulder against radiology as a field altogether and radiologists as well. Does thinking about radiology bother you at night too? Can't get sleep thinking about it? And why? Did your wife run away with a radiologist or something? You couldn't get in or maybe you could, but decided not to and now you're regretting it? OK. I won't play psychiatrist. But why don't you just chill or if it's bothering you too much, get some professional psych help to get over it. Why is it that a few pathologists or ones in-the-making feel the need to bash radiology on these forums? Why? Inferiority complex? Or something else that you would want to enlighten us with? Pathology is a great field too, like almost all fields in medicine. We all contribute to patient care, one way or the other. Every now and then we have some friction with someone in another specialty. But that's life. Get over it.

Or go back and do a rads residency. Be the world's first pathological-radiologist or radiological pathologist! Dude, you would make hella bank!!!!!

 

[zxcvbnm]

It is undeniable that every specialty plays an important role in treating patients. Every doctor is able to contribute, but every doctor is limited by the things he did not learn while training that doctors in other specialties did learn. Radiology is a great specialty with smart people, but radiologists are limited, too. It is understandable that a PGY-3 radiologist on overnight call is more capable of reading films than the general surgery intern or IM intern who is on the primary team. But when it comes time to treat the patient , the radiologist might not be as involved. The point is that you do your residency based on what you like. Yes non-rads residents have to put up with alot of social work, but residency is only temporary. No matter what kind of doctor you are, you will find success/money (whatever you are looking for) only by working hard and putting in time. INothing comes easy in this life, so just make sure you like what you are doing.