From what I read, pediatrics are more satisfied with their jobs than other doctors? Can this really be true? It does make sense I guess but really wouldn't some more discussion on this topic be important?
Lifestyle of pediatrics
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I'm reading the other thread, but I would still like to know what is causing these statistics and would like some kind of direct comparison/answer for that though I realize that this kind of question is so objective it may be impossible to answer precisely. Just a general idea would be appreciated. I understand about being able to see blood and all that very well. My aunt was offered a medial school position and turned it down for that very reason.
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Do huh?
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Yes it can be true. What would you like to discuss about it?
Um, what exactly are you asking? Also, where are you in your education?
Believe it or not, I went to school initially to finish off a minor in classical piano. I actually chose my university based on the quality of the music school. I then changed my major to chemistry(my family is a bunch of professors, doctors/teachers of science/mathematics) for which the university also has an excellent program. This going more into the path of my families past and present. Having done well and being very excited about taking control of my future, I have decided that I would like to follow this dream of being a pediatrician. Right now my main focus is mastering the MCAT, and I am taking my time. I will take whatever music classes I need to to round up my education in music, and plan to do a lot of voluntary performing. I am looking around and wanting to volunteer at several places. My mom also is a teacher for sick children either home schooling or in the hospital itself so I feel this is also a reason I have been influenced to go into pediatrics. I also realized myself as a young kid that my pediatrician was one of the happiest people I ever met. Talking to my cousin who loves the profession, also has said great things. She went to Africa to volunteer learned a language and everything to help out this tribe over there. I mean wow, if thats what being a doctor can do to you then I really want to.
What I really want to know is how drastic these differences are. I realize how serious it is to be something like a surgeon, which is why I have not even thought about it. But I mean it also seems like it would be possible to be a happy person while doing some other specialty even if it takes up more time for example. I mean it doesn't always have to be a painstakingly stressful operation. This is what I mean I guess. But I really do understand how serious the question of lifestyle is and I really would like to know the difference in the emotional aspect of it.
Are these things really decided by competitiveness? Is it just the general character of the doctors themselves? By this do I mean, is it just that happier people tend to go for pediatrics because they like the lifestyle? And are the salaries of the careers correlated with the competitiveness of the speciality very strongly, or just a general correlation?
What I really want to know is how drastic these differences are. I realize how serious it is to be something like a surgeon, which is why I have not even thought about it. But I mean it also seems like it would be possible to be a happy person while doing some other specialty even if it takes up more time for example. I mean it doesn't always have to be a painstakingly stressful operation. This is what I mean I guess. But I really do understand how serious the question of lifestyle is and I really would like to know the difference in the emotional aspect of it.
Are these things really decided by competitiveness? Is it just the general character of the doctors themselves? By this do I mean, is it just that happier people tend to go for pediatrics because they like the lifestyle? And are the salaries of the careers correlated with the competitiveness of the speciality very strongly, or just a general correlation?
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I'm still struggling to figure out exactly what you are asking. I'll make a few general points and then perhaps you can try again to ask your questions.
First, pediatricians generally choose that career, like other specialists, because they like the job and they particularly like the patient population. Not all pediatricians are "non-competitive" for other residencies. Even on the profoundly dubious assumption that Step 1 scores have any real meaning, there are several programs that I am directly familiar with (and won't list) whose mean Step 1 score is in the 240 range. I know lots and lots of pediatricians and pediatric trainees who could have done ROAD or other specialties but chose not to because they wished to do pediatrics. Not me, of course, but there are some smart pediatricians out there. Personally, I'd have rather quit medicine than do any of the ROAD specialties except maybe anesthesia.
People do not choose to be pediatricians because of the lifestyle, either during residency or their career. A pediatric residency is not an easy one and although it can be possible to have a part-time career in pediatrics, most pediatricians work hard, both generalists and specialists.
Why are pediatricians, both generalists and specialists always among the happiest physicians despite a lower average salary than other specialties? Who knows? Spend some time talking IN PERSON with a handful of pediatricians and see what you think. I think it is largely due to the sense of value they place on working to enhance the lives of the children for whom they care, but I'm sure it's different for each person. I'm certain it's not (usually) because they like the lifestyle of a pediatrician.
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Like others, I am confused by your post. I'm not sure what you're getting at with a lot of what you're saying and asking. But as someone who did 1 year of a surgery residency before jumping over to pediatrics, I can tell you why I'm happier in peds than I was in the world of adult medicine.
1) My patients are more fun.
2) After a year and a half, I have a handful of kids that I've seen in my continuity clinic for almost every single doctor's visit that they've had. Watching them grow up? Way cool. And I love having that connection not just with them but with their whole family.
3) Sometimes, my patients let me play with their toys
4) Baby diapers are much less repulsive than adult diapers. The same can be said for their contents.
5) Pediatricians are in general nicer to their co-workers (nursers, staff, and other pediatricians) than other medical-type folks.
6) Honestly, I'm just in it for the stickers.
(I'll leave it to you to figure out where I was being silly)
1) My patients are more fun.
2) After a year and a half, I have a handful of kids that I've seen in my continuity clinic for almost every single doctor's visit that they've had. Watching them grow up? Way cool. And I love having that connection not just with them but with their whole family.
3) Sometimes, my patients let me play with their toys
4) Baby diapers are much less repulsive than adult diapers. The same can be said for their contents.
5) Pediatricians are in general nicer to their co-workers (nursers, staff, and other pediatricians) than other medical-type folks.
6) Honestly, I'm just in it for the stickers.
(I'll leave it to you to figure out where I was being silly)
Well thank you for the posts. That has got to be a really tough decision. I'm preparing but at at the same time keeping my options open before making a final decision. I guess that is what I was looking for. Interesting story about changing your residency.
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I think statistics like that have a lot of selection bias that goes into them as well. How satisfied someone is with their life has as much to do (or more) with what kind of person they are as it does with what they're doing.
Sure, anyone's job can drag them down if it's bad enough, but the best job in the world isn't going to turn an inherently grumpy person into a ray of sunshine.
In short, pediatrics is often made up of a lot a people who choose to be happy, so they are.
Sure, anyone's job can drag them down if it's bad enough, but the best job in the world isn't going to turn an inherently grumpy person into a ray of sunshine.
In short, pediatrics is often made up of a lot a people who choose to be happy, so they are.
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I agree that more happy people are drawn to pediatrics as a specialty, but if you're not already happy, things that help are (adding to Sweet Teas excellent list):
7) one is required to play with patients at work.
8) fewer of our patients die.
9) we get a high out of having our patients recognize us at Toys R Us and run over to hug our knees.
10) continuity of care for a decade or more is very satisfying.
11) getting to take care of your ex-patients' babies is really neat.
12) Your patients forgive you within minutes if you have to poke them more than once.
13) most of our patients are happy, or they have things we can fix so they become that way.
7) one is required to play with patients at work.
8) fewer of our patients die.
9) we get a high out of having our patients recognize us at Toys R Us and run over to hug our knees.
10) continuity of care for a decade or more is very satisfying.
11) getting to take care of your ex-patients' babies is really neat.
12) Your patients forgive you within minutes if you have to poke them more than once.
13) most of our patients are happy, or they have things we can fix so they become that way.
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This brought up something I was wondering about Peds.
I was curious what percent of your younger patients (the actual patients, not their parents) loathe/despise you because of the fact going to the doctor often entails needles or other uncomfortable things?
I remember that my brother absolutely despised the doctor because he was so scared of needles and he would pretty much throw a tantrum as soon as we got in the waiting room.
I on the other hand remember being scared of getting shots, but I think I always liked the doctor anyways seeing as it was the nurses who often gave shots.
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Anyone go into peds based on loving kids and naturally having an up-beat and enthusiastic attitude?
One quick question, going into peds, there is a 3 year general residency, right? How many more if you decide to go into a specialty, like cardiac? Surgery? ICU? Thanks for any responses, I appreciate it!
One quick question, going into peds, there is a 3 year general residency, right? How many more if you decide to go into a specialty, like cardiac? Surgery? ICU? Thanks for any responses, I appreciate it!
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Hopefully, almost everyone goes into pediatrics in part based on their enjoyment of working with children.
To clarify, since this is a common confusion...
A pediatric residency is a 3 year residency after medical school. Upon completion of these three years, one may do go into general practice of pediatrics or do a subspecialty fellowship. Virtually all of these fellowships are 3 additional years and include a research component. I won't list them all, it's easy to look them up.
Now then, it gets more complex from here....
Pediatric surgical specialties such as pediatric surgery, pediatric ENT, etc, etc follow a surgical, not a medical training path and one does not do a general pediatric residency.
There are certain paths that allow for completing pediatric residency in two years as part of a combined program.
There are some field that defy simple explanation of the pathway, but are readily available on a search of SDN or elsewhere. This include pediatric neurology, pediatric allergy/immunology and a few others.
Specific to your mention of "ICU", there are three subspecialties of pediatrics (that is fields you do a fellowship in after 3 years of general pediatrics) that commonly provide intensive care for infants and children. These are neonatology, pediatric critical care and pediatric cardiology.
Stitch: We need a FAQ about this......
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This thread below might or not not be helpful for the second half of your question, but I think it addresses the general topic pretty well.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=631792&highlight=surftheiop
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ah, bless you for finding that link....
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Great idea! And thank you so much for the organized response.
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The doctor usually gets to be the good guy. In my experience it is generally the nurses who gave the shots, placed a PPD, or did a fingerstick for blood tests. Sewing kids up is of course an Art that you eventually figure out how to do without causing pain.
I honestly don't recall ever being loathed, despite some parents threatening that 'they'd get a shot from the doctor if they weren't good.' Way to go, Mom.
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I think I have decided against it in the end at least to make it such a specific goal. I will think about it, but for now, I have decided that this is perhaps not what I want to do. But only time can tell.
If I have the will to do it, then maybe. But I don't see myself as that as I did before. Maybe I was thinking too naively. But if in 3 years I am at the place and have the gpa to do so, I guess at that point I will consider it further. But why aspirate to so much when you can focus on what's going on right now, and just getting the broad education.
But Betheltim, that quote is a very good one on your sig... making me think I should maybe try it anyways.
If I have the will to do it, then maybe. But I don't see myself as that as I did before. Maybe I was thinking too naively. But if in 3 years I am at the place and have the gpa to do so, I guess at that point I will consider it further. But why aspirate to so much when you can focus on what's going on right now, and just getting the broad education.
But Betheltim, that quote is a very good one on your sig... making me think I should maybe try it anyways.
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I recommend that you try to aspirate as little as possible.
Anyway, it sounds like you're fairly early on in your education. In response to your main question (or at least, my interpretation of your main question), I think the main reason pediatricians are so satisfied is because they're doing a job that they really, truly, and deeply enjoy; and because most careers in pediatrics have enough flexibility to allow people to achieve a well-balanced life in addition to a rewarding career. But, this only works insofar as one actually enjoys working with children. You won't find enjoyment from doing something because everyone is enjoying themselves, but working among people like that can enhance the experience of something that you enjoy doing yourself.
