Ophtho & specialty respect?

[34440]

On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being low and 10 being high), how respected do you think ophthalmology is as a medical/surgical speciality. What's the current opinion out there?

Also, in your mind, what's at either end of the scale?

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[skypilot]

Optho is an elite clean surgical specialty. At the other end would be..... oh let me see... I guess Gastroenterology!

Seriously though, I respect any doc that works hard to take care of patients. I have tremendous respect for the primary care specialties that are in the trenches taking care of and even preventing illnesses day in and day out.

 

[Vanime]

On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being low and 10 being high), how respected do you think ophthalmology is as a medical/surgical speciality. What's the current opinion out there?

Also, in your mind, what's at either end of the scale?

Ophthalmology is definitely high up there, but then I'm strictly speaking about the competitiveness of the field (if you consider highly respected = super competitive).

I am very hesitant about rating any specific field as a 1 on your scale, though... since any doc to me who masters his/her craft rates a 10, regardless of the field.

 

[BaylorGuy]

I've been in the OR for a couple of optho cases, and i've noticed a few things. They are definitely clean, are very quiet for some reason, and I can never tell what the hell they are doing.

Other than that, I rank them a 9...I could never mess with people's eyes.

 

[typeB-md]

On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being low and 10 being high), how respected do you think ophthalmology is as a medical/surgical speciality. What's the current opinion out there?

Also, in your mind, what's at either end of the scale?

does it matter how respected it is? why not choose something based on how you feel about it rather than its perceived importance?

a respectable person does not look for others to provide them with fulfillment.

 

[sjkpark]

I've been in the OR for a couple of optho cases, and i've noticed a few things. They are definitely clean, are very quiet for some reason, and I can never tell what the hell they are doing.

Good ophthalmic surgeons make ophthalmic surgery look very very easy.

 

[starwisher]

surgery on eyes totally gives me the creeps. Just imagining sticking something in someones eyes...eww so gross.

 

[silas2642]

On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being low and 10 being high), how respected do you think ophthalmology is as a medical/surgical speciality. What's the current opinion out there?

Also, in your mind, what's at either end of the scale?

I'd give ophthalmology a 9. At the other end is dermatology. Those guys don't do anything.

 

[DOCTORSAIB]

I'm not really sure what the point of your question is but I'll go ahead and answer. IMO, it's a 10. Ophthalmology is very competitive and every year attracts some of the best and brightest.

It's clean, great schedule (except surgical retina specialists), patients absolutely love you for making them feel so good so fast, surgeries are intricate but very quick (relatively speaking), you see lots of pathology b/c it's such a high volume specialty, decent money (although reimbursement has been declining and continues to decline), job satisfaction is among the highest of all physicians, and your SO is happy b/c you're home in time for dinner. Need I say more...

 

[34440]

I'm not really sure what the point of your question is...

Ophthalmology is just one of those specialities that I have a hard time characterizing. Some people say it's a very narrow field since it's just the eyes, while others say it's very broad because it encompases medicine and surgery, and deals with both local and systemic disease processes. Some people say it's boring because it's "WYSIWYG" visual diagnosis, while others say it's an endlessly fascinating mix of neurology, endocrinology, plastic surgery, and cool technology. I've heard people call it "dentist for the eyes" (sorry to any dentists reading this), while others describe the technical skill required for eye surgery second only to neurosurgery.

There are a lot of mixed messages out there (and obviously a lot of misconceptions). Personally, I think it's a great mix of medicine and surgery minus a lot of the bad things about both of those fields.

 

[kassie]

Why does it matter how respected something is? No matter what you do, someone will respect you and someone will think you are a total loser.

When I told my parents I was going for Ophtho they were disappointed because they thought I worked for 8 years after college to ask "1 or 2" for my whole life. And they were disappointed when I got into MD/PhD because it was a road to being an old maid hahaha

Do it because you love it not for the ego stroke. This is why there are so many applicants this year and I'm not getting a lot of interviews

All being said, I love it because it's intellectually stimulating, can significantly improve someone's quality of life, and there are a lot of procedures. I couldn't imagine doing anything else.

good luck!

On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being low and 10 being high), how respected do you think ophthalmology is as a medical/surgical speciality. What's the current opinion out there?

Also, in your mind, what's at either end of the scale?

 

[34440]

Why does it matter how respected something is?

Of course, it doesn't. Well, you want some degree of respect, but it's certainly not a reason to choose a specialty.

Perhaps "respect" was a poor choice of words on my part. I'm not that superficial, honest! I've heard a lot of different things form different people, and I just wanted to tap into the collective wisdom SDN for the dirt on what ophthalmology is really like.

 

[kassie]

If you want the real deal I wouldn't rely on this site. I would get in touch with an ophthalmologist that likes their job and to teach and shadow them for a little bit. It is a difficult field to understand without someone to guide you along in the beginning. And get in the OR for some cases - coolest surgeries I ever saw!

But I'm biased...I think I'm converting everyone and their cat.

Good luck, Iris

Of course, it doesn't. Well, you want some degree of respect, but it's certainly not a reason to choose a specialty.

Perhaps "respect" was a poor choice of words on my part. I'm not that superficial, honest! I've heard a lot of different things form different people, and I just wanted to tap into the collective wisdom SDN for the dirt on what ophthalmology is really like.

 

[sjkpark]

There are a lot of mixed messages out there (and obviously a lot of misconceptions). Personally, I think it's a great mix of medicine and surgery minus a lot of the bad things about both of those fields.

Yup! That's what I think too.

I decided that I would pursue ophtho (and I don't care how long it takes) after realising that the specialty didn't have things that I didn't like about medicine or anaesthetics. Like 4-hour ward round (and you swear that consultants and registrars were just imagining that murmur... or they probably looked up the echo report before you got there) or putting up with surgeon's tantrums (I'll be that surgeon instead).

I told the above to the ophtho I know and he thanked me for reminding about the ward rounds that he misses out on too.

 

[sjkpark]

I would get in touch with an ophthalmologist that likes their job and to teach and shadow them for a little bit. It is a difficult field to understand without someone to guide you along in the beginning.

I totally agree. Not just for ophthalmology. You just need that one person who makes the specialty fun for you.

One of the biggest reasons why I liked ophtho was because all the ophthos I've met were enthusiastic about their job, eyes and teaching. And when I grow up I wanna be just like them...

 

[thackl]

does it matter how respected it is? why not choose something based on how you feel about it rather than its perceived importance?

a respectable person does not look for others to provide them with fulfillment.

This is why many/most enter the field of medicine...... hence; my initial disillusionment with the field yrs ago and my late start.

Insecure people wanting desperately for the world to look up to and respect them. It's not as bad as I had once thought, but it's still pretty bad.

 

[thackl]

Why does it matter how respected something is?

It doesn't.... however, low respect in a field can lead o it being undervalued. Even with an interest, I won't go into and undervalued/underpaid specialty. 9yrs of my life is a long time........

 

[34440]

It doesn't.... however, low respect in a field can lead o it being undervalued. Even with an interest, I won't go into and undervalued/underpaid specialty. 9yrs of my life is a long time........

So in your experience is ophtho valued (I don't mean pay)? By patients? By other physicians?

 

[thackl]

So in your experience is ophtho valued (I don't mean pay)? By patients? By other physicians?

Optho is one of those "San *** Crisco".... oops, I mean San Fransisco match residencies that's pretty competitive to get into, has good pay and a good lifestyle (hrs/call) associated with it. I'm considering it, though; out of pure interest.

You will be respected by other doc's due to the relative competitiveness (ie: you did well in school and on boards). But just like any field, if you act like an ass, no one will like you and believe me.... word gets around in the hospital pretty fast.

 

[DrPharaohX]

I don't want to play the ratings game but I will tell you that after shadowing an ophthalmologist this year I learned that the field is definitely not "just eyes." Like others mentioned, it involves a good deal of systemic diseases, neuro for sure, and even cosmetic surgery. His work hours are great, patients are always praising him (and yes, procedures are relatively quick unless there's major trauma involved), he plays hockey during his time off and drives an Aston Martin convertible. Nuff said.