Oto vs. ENT and snot jokes

[nacholibre]

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So I'm only 1 rotation into 3rd year, and already getting lots of comments/jokes about snot, tracheal secretions, spending my career taking out tonsils even at the slightest mention of interest in ENT. They don't bother me, and definitely don't sway me away from ENT, but it's made me think about an issue that keeps arising with other medical students and with non-medical people.....

When I tell people I am thinking about going into "otolaryngology", the response is "what the hell is that" or "you are a pretentious jerk for not calling it ENT" And then when I tell people what I am thinking about going into ENT, the response is usually "oh so you'll like take out tonsils and deal with strep throat and stuff" which is of course partially true, but far from the whole of it. Does anyone else feel this way? Am I just being a proud douchebag or is this a common feeling in the field?

I just feel like ENTs are getting sold short when some neurootologist who literally does brain surgery, or a H&N guy who does 10 hour tumor resections say that they're an ENT a majority of people (including other medical professionals) probably don't even know that you are a surgeon.

Just curious how everyone feels about this, and how you've chosen to handle this in your life?

 

[plauto]

Oh man, I thought you were gonna give us some good jokes...

 

[Pir8DeacDoc]

I can't honestly say I've given it any thought. People in medicine like to joke around about each other's chosen profession. I love what I do for people every day and don't really feel like I need to impress anyone else. Other docs know you are sharp to be in ENT and most of them think it's a great field with good mix of procedures and medicine. Don't think twice about it.

 

[infarct]

So I'm only 1 rotation into 3rd year, and already getting lots of comments/jokes about snot, tracheal secretions, spending my career taking out tonsils even at the slightest mention of interest in ENT. They don't bother me, and definitely don't sway me away from ENT, but it's made me think about an issue that keeps arising with other medical students and with non-medical people.....

When I tell people I am thinking about going into "otolaryngology", the response is "what the hell is that" or "you are a pretentious jerk for not calling it ENT" And then when I tell people what I am thinking about going into ENT, the response is usually "oh so you'll like take out tonsils and deal with strep throat and stuff" which is of course partially true, but far from the whole of it. Does anyone else feel this way? Am I just being a proud douchebag or is this a common feeling in the field?

I just feel like ENTs are getting sold short when some neurootologist who literally does brain surgery, or a H&N guy who does 10 hour tumor resections say that they're an ENT a majority of people (including other medical professionals) probably don't even know that you are a surgeon.

Just curious how everyone feels about this, and how you've chosen to handle this in your life?

Uh get over it

 

[resxn]

So I'm only 1 rotation into 3rd year, and already getting lots of comments/jokes about snot, tracheal secretions, spending my career taking out tonsils even at the slightest mention of interest in ENT. They don't bother me, and definitely don't sway me away from ENT, but it's made me think about an issue that keeps arising with other medical students and with non-medical people.....

When I tell people I am thinking about going into "otolaryngology", the response is "what the hell is that" or "you are a pretentious jerk for not calling it ENT" And then when I tell people what I am thinking about going into ENT, the response is usually "oh so you'll like take out tonsils and deal with strep throat and stuff" which is of course partially true, but far from the whole of it. Does anyone else feel this way? Am I just being a proud douchebag or is this a common feeling in the field?

I just feel like ENTs are getting sold short when some neurootologist who literally does brain surgery, or a H&N guy who does 10 hour tumor resections say that they're an ENT a majority of people (including other medical professionals) probably don't even know that you are a surgeon.

Just curious how everyone feels about this, and how you've chosen to handle this in your life?

I think some of the stigma comes from ignorance. I think some of the stigma comes from the fact that we're not simple mechanics--there is no medical counterpart to our specialty like there is for urology, neurosurgery, general surgery, cardiothoracic, etc. Because we take care of a lot of the problems on the medical side, some forget that we're surgeons.

Whatever. It's ignorance on their part.

People make fun of derms for having a cop-out speciality and not doing "real medicine" yet everyone knows they make a boatload of money, take zero call, and live one of the better lifestyles. Orthos get made fun of because they have the grunt reputation (see ortho vs anesthesia on youtube--There is a fracture, I need to fix it), yet they are the highest paid docs in the US. I see derms and orthos laughing off their criticisms.

I am proud to be a snot sucker. We have one of the top 5 hardest specialities to get into, one of the highest job satisfaction rates of any speciality, one of the best reimbursements of any specialty, and continue to be one of the highest-rated specialties for overall patient satisfaction. I think we have every reason to laugh off any ignorant jokes from others just like any other specialists that sit in a very comfortable position, so while I used to be a bit offended when I was a resident, I now proudly say I deal with mucus on a daily basis because it's far better than dealing with what comes out of any other orifice in the body.

 

[Poetic Silence]

ENT is by far the coolest surgical specialty. They have the best bedside manner of any surgeon as well. ENT's are the boss! 😎

 

[nacholibre]

Uh get over it

Yeah I get what you mean. I promise it's not a big deal to me, but I like this forum cause it's a bunch of people having similar experiences - I was just curious what everyone thought. I promise I am not losing any sleep over this.

 

[bobsagat]

Oh man, I thought you were gonna give us some good jokes...

"You can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friends' noses unless you become an ENT."

 

[AngkorWuT]

So I'm only 1 rotation into 3rd year, and already getting lots of comments/jokes about snot, tracheal secretions, spending my career taking out tonsils even at the slightest mention of interest in ENT. They don't bother me, and definitely don't sway me away from ENT, but it's made me think about an issue that keeps arising with other medical students and with non-medical people.....

When I tell people I am thinking about going into "otolaryngology", the response is "what the hell is that" or "you are a pretentious jerk for not calling it ENT" And then when I tell people what I am thinking about going into ENT, the response is usually "oh so you'll like take out tonsils and deal with strep throat and stuff" which is of course partially true, but far from the whole of it. Does anyone else feel this way? Am I just being a proud douchebag or is this a common feeling in the field?

I just feel like ENTs are getting sold short when some neurootologist who literally does brain surgery, or a H&N guy who does 10 hour tumor resections say that they're an ENT a majority of people (including other medical professionals) probably don't even know that you are a surgeon.

Just curious how everyone feels about this, and how you've chosen to handle this in your life?

Doesn't bother me at all. These are the top responses from other Attendings or Residents when I tell them I'm an Oto resident.

1. Oh we like you guys the best 'cuz you're the nicest surgeons we work with - Anesthesia
2. We have an ENT resident in the house, no need to baby sit for the night - ED Attending
3. Eww, how do you deal with ear wax - Gen Surg Residents
4. Oh, we know you will catch on quick 'cuz you're ENT - Gen Surg Senior Resident
5. Go see the patient - All Attendings

So as you can see, 3/5 good responses, 1 response that is typical and 1 response that you're gonna get the rest of your career ain't too shabby!