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- Oct 2, 2006
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This is a different spin on the usual burnout question. I'm not interested in the "getting crispy" type of burnout but more along the line of how old is too old to be practicing EM? Obviously, it's very individual and can depend on the group versus corporate, private versus academic, Level I/II versus small ED in the middle of nowhere, etc, and how happy one was with their practice model but I'm curious as to what y'all (residents and attendings) think.
I guess the question is not necessary about age but more about being physically able to handle the decathlon of a busy ED and remaining mentally alert to hand all medical crises, running around the rooms, handling all those consultant phone calls, etc. Forget the burnout of dealing with frequent flyers or some BS narc seeker, when is it too old to juggle that COPDer, the DKA pt, that stab coming in, and that MI who's still in the ED because the cath lab already have one they're dealing with upstairs, all at once?
I just think that EM is not conducive for being like a Debakey or any other old surgeons who can scrub in at 70 or even 80 (even if all they do is make one stitch while the fellow does all the work). But I also suspect that EM doesn't attract folks that think of medicine as a calling; most realize that it's just a job.
But what if you do want to keep going? Regardless of the money issues. An internist or FP can keep going if s/he wants to, but what about EM? What are the factors that will push you to say, "I'm done" or "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak"? I guess anybody can say once the kids get jobs and you have some money saved up for retirement but I would love to hear what vague or hazy plans you have for those twilight years. Do you want to fade out at an UC? Do you plan on continuing to contribute to the field? Open up a tattoo removal clinic? What do y'all think?
Some personal info: I'll graduate medical school (assuming I don't screw up now that I'm in) in my mid-30s after trying other careers. I've also worked fulltime as a Scribe at a tertiary center with great Docs who have taught me a lot about the non-medical aspects of the practice of medicine. So I may be an idiot, but not a complete one about the field EM nor about being an adult. I'm also not expecting "the answer to how my life will go" in a forum - nothing in my 20s worked out exactly as I planned when I was in high school so I sure as heck ain't expecting a blue print for the next 30 years of my life from any of y'all. Just curious about the diverse views out there. Thanks!
I guess the question is not necessary about age but more about being physically able to handle the decathlon of a busy ED and remaining mentally alert to hand all medical crises, running around the rooms, handling all those consultant phone calls, etc. Forget the burnout of dealing with frequent flyers or some BS narc seeker, when is it too old to juggle that COPDer, the DKA pt, that stab coming in, and that MI who's still in the ED because the cath lab already have one they're dealing with upstairs, all at once?
I just think that EM is not conducive for being like a Debakey or any other old surgeons who can scrub in at 70 or even 80 (even if all they do is make one stitch while the fellow does all the work). But I also suspect that EM doesn't attract folks that think of medicine as a calling; most realize that it's just a job.
But what if you do want to keep going? Regardless of the money issues. An internist or FP can keep going if s/he wants to, but what about EM? What are the factors that will push you to say, "I'm done" or "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak"? I guess anybody can say once the kids get jobs and you have some money saved up for retirement but I would love to hear what vague or hazy plans you have for those twilight years. Do you want to fade out at an UC? Do you plan on continuing to contribute to the field? Open up a tattoo removal clinic? What do y'all think?
Some personal info: I'll graduate medical school (assuming I don't screw up now that I'm in) in my mid-30s after trying other careers. I've also worked fulltime as a Scribe at a tertiary center with great Docs who have taught me a lot about the non-medical aspects of the practice of medicine. So I may be an idiot, but not a complete one about the field EM nor about being an adult. I'm also not expecting "the answer to how my life will go" in a forum - nothing in my 20s worked out exactly as I planned when I was in high school so I sure as heck ain't expecting a blue print for the next 30 years of my life from any of y'all. Just curious about the diverse views out there. Thanks!