Pediatrics..Not for ambitious people??

[ooworld]

I am a final year student and I liked pediatrics so much and I need some help......what annoys me that I feel that being a pediatrician means that I will always have a limit!!!

May be I am wrong but When I look around, I find alot of good pediatricians but there is nothing called a unique top notch pediatricans . I mean if you want a pediatrician it is enough to go to a good one that you feel comfortable with but If you want to have a retinal surgery you look for the best ophthalmologist you can afford!!

Like if I diagnosed a VSD, my rule ends at that level and all I can do is to wait (the same like the parents) the cardiothoracic surgeon, who will be the hero of the moment!!!

People travel hundreds of miles for a specific surgeons but go to the nearest pediatrician.

I don't like surgery, So is there a way to shine in pediatrics?

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[oldbearprofessor]

Like if I diagnosed a VSD, my rule ends at that level and all I can do is to wait (the same like the parents) the cardiothoracic surgeon, who will be the hero of the moment!!!

People travel hundreds of miles for a specific surgeons but go to the nearest pediatrician.

Folks travel all over the country to find the "best" pediatric specialist too. You just haven't seen that side of working at a large children's hospital.

And the CV surgeon may be the hero of the moment, but post-op (and pre-op for the more complex lesions), it'll be the pediatric cardiologist (a pediatrician) who will manage the patient. Spend some time with those folks in a CVICU and tell me if you think that mediocrity works in that job.

 

[ooworld]

Thanks on the reply.

And I agree with all what you said but I don't know I am just confused, in fact I hated the idea that I have to choose.

 

[rock_climber]

I think what OBP was saying is that you don't have to choose, especially if you sub-specialize and be the top in your field.

Sounds like you're more interested in living for the 2% of the time you are the hero rather than being happy with what you are doing 85% of the time.

 

[rock_climber]

Oh and of course there's nothing wrong with picking the career where you are the "hero", you just have to decide what is most important to you

 

[ooworld]

Oh and of course there's nothing wrong with picking the career where you are the "hero", you just have to decide what is most important to you

I am not asking about applying for pediatrics or not, but I wanted to get a clearer image about it.

 

[ForbiddenComma]

Neither peds nor IM lets you be the "hero" that often, unlike say, trauma surgery. But I'd worry less about that part and worry more about which career and lifestyle appeals to you more.

 

[ooworld]

rather than being happy with what you are doing 85% of the time.

That's the point!!! Our needs change with age and what makes you happy when you are a resident may not fulfill your needs when you are a consultant!!!

 

[ooworld]

But I'd worry less about that part and worry more about which career and lifestyle appeals to you more.

Totally agree, That's why I am comparing Peds to Ophthalmology where I will still have a nice career and lifestyle.

I think I had my question answered...If I want Pediatrics then I have to accept my life as a primary care doctor

 

[oldbearprofessor]

I think I had my question answered...If I want Pediatrics then I have to accept my life as a primary care doctor

?

I did a pediatric residency and am not a primary care doctor. The same is true for about (forget the exact current number) about 35-40% of pediatricians. Heck, I haven't spent any time in an outpatient clinic in about 25 years.

The lifestyle of pediatrics is not necessarily worse than that of ophtho. You should talk to more folks doing academic pediatrics, both general pedi and specialty (and hospitalists).

Also, when it comes to being a "hero", I recommend talking to the parents of some patients whose pediatrician (general or specialist) has made a huge positive change in their child's life and see what they say.

Good luck with your decisions.

 

[surftheiop]

Also, when it comes to being a "hero", I recommend talking to the parents of some patients whose pediatrician (general or specialist) has made a huge positive change in their child's life and see what they say.

If you don't trust OBP, just look up a major children's hospital on facebook and see how grateful parents/siblings/grandmothers/etc are!!

 

[Sweet Tea]

Totally agree, That's why I am comparing Peds to Ophthalmology where I will still have a nice career and lifestyle.

I think I had my question answered...If I want Pediatrics then I have to accept my life as a primary care doctor

Bizuh? You got the part where OBP and everyone else was talking about pediatric sub-specialties not being the same as general pediatrics, right? I'm still in residency, but I have no intention of making a career out of general pediatrics.

 

[twostep376]

...what annoys me that I feel that being a pediatrician means that I will always have a limit!!! ...I find alot of good pediatricians but there is nothing called a unique top notch pediatricans .
...So is there a way to shine in pediatrics?

I'm sorry, I'm not even in medical school (class of 2014...start this fall), but I honestly don't understand this. Pediatrics has it's stars too... just like other fields. There are academic big wigs in peds too.

I mean, if you enjoy pediatrics, go for it...right? What's the dilemma? Isn't making a positive difference in a kiddo's life "shining?"

 

[BigNavyPedsGuy]

Totally agree, That's why I am comparing Peds to Ophthalmology where I will still have a nice career and lifestyle.

I think I had my question answered...If I want Pediatrics then I have to accept my life as a primary care doctor

?????

Are you sure that you're a 4th year? In peds you can go into ER, Cards, PICU, NICU, etc. As a peds ER guy you'll do emergent intubations and run codes. It doesn't get any more guts and glory than that.

I like Peds ID, because (in my opinion) peds ID guys are always asked to help with the most complex patients, see a variety of kids, and are THE definitive expert in their field.

 

[ooworld]

Sorry on my late reply.

Thanks on your inputs, you made your point clear