Second Thoughts

[4444]

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I'm currently a 4th year medical student, who is about to submit their application for OB GYN. While I have definitely had my second and third thoughts about going into OB, mainly b/c of people in the field advising against it, I had ultimately decided to do it. However, I'm currently doing different OB electives and have had multiple people (attendings, residents and interns) talk about how terrible the field is right now. Mostly stating that you work your ass off and there's no "joy" left in the field b/c of the legality issues. While I'm not saying this is true or not, it gets very discouraging to hear these same things over and over again. I'm starting to freak out about applying. While I know it's not an easy field, I guess I'm just wondering if it really is this horrible? If some people in the field could give me some feed back I would really appreciate it.

Thanks

 

[3dtp]

I'm currently a 4th year medical student, who is about to submit their application for OB GYN. While I have definitely had my second and third thoughts about going into OB, mainly b/c of people in the field advising against it, I had ultimately decided to do it. However, I'm currently doing different OB electives and have had multiple people (attendings, residents and interns) talk about how terrible the field is right now. Mostly stating that you work your ass off and there's no "joy" left in the field b/c of the legality issues. While I'm not saying this is true or not, it gets very discouraging to hear these same things over and over again. I'm starting to freak out about applying. While I know it's not an easy field, I guess I'm just wondering if it really is this horrible? If some people in the field could give me some feed back I would really appreciate it.

Thanks

There is plenty of joy in this field. There is still much to be said about OB, and it is still an exciting field. You do work your butt off, but then with a good group practice you can manage that aspect. A partner or two or three that you can work with will help. There is nothing and will be nothing that can compare to helping bring a new life into the world. Especially when nature throws up a roadblock that science can help avoid.

That being said, the legal issues are real. I suspect they will not change anytime soon, and there may be no gynecologists left in some areas before it does change. As in all aspects of life, no matter how good one is, no matter how perfect the care, there are bad outcomes. When they happen, gynecologists are sued. Reality.

Here's a suggestion: Think ahead to where you want to be in say, 8 years, the type of city you want to work in, they type of hospital you want to be in. Look up the names of a couple of gynecologists from different practices and call them and ask them about how life is outside of the rigors of med school/residency and see what they say. Take this survey with a grain of salt, but remember that somewhere along the line, these people were excited enough about the field to go into it. Come to think of it, you might want to call a med-mal lawyer (plaintiff or defense) and ask them about your concerns. If you do this, post a message here with what you've learned. I'd be curious about this myself.

 

[4444]

Thanks for your response. I'm definitely going to look into contacting some people and I'll up date the post if I hear anything back.

 

[Diane L. Evans]

I would do what you like best. While it is true OB it a heavily lawsuit affiliated firld it should not discourage you. OB/Gyn has a blend of IM Peds Psych and Surgery. It also lets you subspecilaize into high risk OB MFM, Reproductive Endocrine (infertility), Gyn Onc, Uro Gyn, ans others

You need to do what is best for you what you'll love getting up for in the morning ( or staying awake all night for...)

Don't let some disgruntled resident or attending dissuade you.

Don't want to get sued work for the military or govt.

Good luck
Diane

 

[LaurieB]

I would do what you like best. While it is true OB it a heavily lawsuit affiliated firld it should not discourage you. OB/Gyn has a blend of IM Peds Psych and Surgery. It also lets you subspecilaize into high risk OB MFM, Reproductive Endocrine (infertility), Gyn Onc, Uro Gyn, ans others

You need to do what is best for you what you'll love getting up for in the morning ( or staying awake all night for...)

Don't let some disgruntled resident or attending dissuade you.

Don't want to get sued work for the military or govt.

Good luck
Diane

Are there a lot of goverment opportunities? Does government=underserved?

 

[familyfirst]

Dear 4444, you should try to picture yourself in 10 years, will you be happy to get up to work as an Ob/Gyn??? I think that it is critical to think that if you will be happy to perform the bread and butter procedures as an Ob/Gyn. There will be times of rare cases in Gyn surgeries or difficulty deliveries but pictures yourself in the specialties that you are thinking about if you will be happy to get up each morning in those fields.

Personally, I feel that a lot of the complaining from older physicians were people who used to make over $500,000 per year and now maybe around $200,000. Now, will you be happy with that kind of income?? With the recent graduates, we never really know the "good old days," whatever that means, but we have been trained in an environment of HMOs, paperwork, etc...so I don't think that it will matter that much for us of how we are going to be in trained and when we get out to practice.

And regarding malpractice premium, rare anyone goes for sole practice. If you join a practice, the practice will pick up the malpractice premium, and if you decide to stay in an academic institution, the university will pick up the malpractice premium. Ultimately, it is about patient care. If you have a great relationship with your patients, inform them of whatever is going on, document everything, and a competent physicians, these can all minimize the risk of lawsuits.

Neurosurgerons and orthopedists have just as high malpractice premium as Ob/gyn in some states.

I had many faculty who discouraged me but I am still applying to OB/GYN with my eyes wide open.

Just make sure that you choose a field that you are happy in. Not what others are saying. Ultimately, you are responsible for what you choose.

Good luck!