Specializing vs primary care

[PhysicianArtist]

Hi all,


Given that we all have a total of 4 years of medical education, and you decide to specialize instead of going into primary care, in particular family practice, would you still have the ability to diagnoze disease and write referral?


Insights into this issue will be greatly appreciated

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[babyruth]

Are you premed? You might want to do some research into what physicians do. Otherwise i guess i don't understand your question... or specifically what response you want (difference between primary care and specialty i assume...)

 

[PhysicianArtist]

Are you premed? You might want to do some research into what physicians do. Otherwise i guess i don't understand your question... or specifically what response you want (difference between primary care and specialty i assume...)

I am not a premed. I was just wondering that for a specialist, specializing in say the eyes, opthalmology, could they still say diagnose and treat common diseases or would they be too specialize that all they can treat are just the eyes?

 

[bkpa2med]

From my understanding, the only specialists who can still diagnose common diseases would be those who did an IM Residency first before doing a fellowship. Not necessarily a doctor who does a Radiology Residency.

I may be wrong, if so someone will correct me.

 

[GreenShirt]

Family practice is primary care. As a family practitioner you would be trained to treat and diagnose disease in people of all ages and write referrals if necessary. Primary care "specialties" include Family Practice, Internal, Pediatrics, and OB/GYN. All of the primary care specialties do what you are asking.

As for non-primary care specialists, there's no reason you wouldn't be able to recognize heart disease or diabetes after all your medical training even if you were a specialist. You would just know less about treating colon cancer as an ophthalmologist than you would about eye cancers. The details of referral would depend on the type of health insurance the patient has (HMO vs. PPO).

Does that answer your question.

 

[PhysicianArtist]

Family practice is primary care. As a family practitioner you would be trained to treat and diagnose disease in people of all ages and write referrals if necessary. Primary care "specialties" include Family Practice, Internal, Pediatrics, and OB/GYN. All of the primary care specialties do what you are asking.

As for non-primary care specialists, there's no reason you wouldn't be able to recognize heart disease or diabetes after all your medical training even if you were a specialist. You would just know less about treating colon cancer as an ophthalmologist than you would about eye cancers. The details of referral would depend on the type of health insurance the patient has (HMO vs. PPO).

Does that answer your question.

Thanks Greenshirt and all for your very insightful inputs.

 

[It'sElectric]

What a strange thread.

 

[PhysicianArtist]

What a strange thread.

How is it that it is a strange thread?

 

[homeboy]

How is it that it is a strange thread?

1. the grammar
2. the question

 

[PhysicianArtist]

1. the grammar
2. the question

In response to number 1, this is not an English class forum, where perfect grammar are expected. If you are so anal about grammar, try looking at your own grammar first before making a judgment about someone else's grammar. You should have capitalize "The quesion" and "The grammar." If you look down people and you're lacking yourself, what would that make you? A hypocrit. I am sure you're not a hypocrit right?

In response to number 2, perhaps if you don't act like an idiot and actually understand a question like others, then you won't think it's strange.


I do not want to offend anyone in this forum but if you act like a troll, I am going to let you have it.

 

[HarveyCushing]

In response to number 1, this is not an English class forum, where perfect grammar are expected. If you are so anal about grammar, try looking at your own grammar first before making a judgment about someone else's grammar. You should have capitalize "The quesion" and "The grammar." If you look down people and you're lacking yourself, what would that make you? A hypocrit. I am sure you're not a hypocrit right?

In response to number 2, perhaps if you don't act like an idiot and actually understand a question like others, then you won't think it's strange.


I do not want to offend anyone in this forum but if you act like a troll, I am going to let you have it.

You must be a pre-med, right?

 

[toothless rufus]

In response to number 1, this is not an English class forum, where perfect grammar are expected. If you are so anal about grammar, try looking at your own grammar first before making a judgment about someone else's grammar. You should have capitalize "The quesion" and "The grammar." If you look down people and you're lacking yourself, what would that make you? A hypocrit. I am sure you're not a hypocrit right.

I don't think this poster is making fun of the grammar. Just has a unique quality and cadence to it.

 

[PhysicianArtist]

You must be a pre-med, right?

And you're an idiot MS1 in DO school who can't get into an MD school right?

 

[mikeyb01]

And you're an idiot MS1 in DO school who can't get into an MD school right?

Kudos to you for the most unexpected post of the day. It will be interesting to see how much more help you get after that reply.

 

[PhysicianArtist]

And you're an idiot MS1 in DO school who can't get into an MD school right?

My point is that you shouldn't jump to quick conclusion or look down on people when you don't have any solid base or evidence at hand. I can just quickly jump to the conclusion and state that you're an idiot MS1 who can't get into an MD school but wanting to specialize in neurosurgery because you have a big ego. However, I am not going to do that because I don't really know anything about you and I do not want to put you or anyone else down. I just posed that question in the prior reply to let know know how it feel when someone being ignorant and just jump to a conclusion without any bases for their argument.

This is a forum where med students share ideas and get advice/help from others. If you don't like certain post or if you don't have any positive contribution, you don't have to comment it. If your mouth is full of trash, don't even bother to open it. You're going to be a doctor, act like one.

If you don't have the character and acting like a d-bag, you can spend as many year in your medical education and training as you like, but it will not correct your character defect and you'll always be a scum bag.

My two cents

 

[AzTeNNiSDoC]

I think they were questioning whether you are pre-med or an accepted med student because you were asking if a family practitioner can diagnose disease and make referrals. My question is - what else could they do ? If you can't diagnose disease or refer to a specialist then you wouldn't even be a physician.

 

[PhysicianArtist]

I think they were questioning whether you are pre-med or an accepted med student because you were asking if a family practitioner can diagnose disease and make referrals. My question is - what else could they do ? If you can't diagnose disease or refer to a specialist then you wouldn't even be a physician.

It is a given that a family doctor can diagnose and treat common diseases and for the ones that they are unable to treat, they'll write referral.

But for the non-primary care specialist, who had become too specialized, for example in the field of neurosurgery, could they still be able to diagnose and treat common disease like hypertension or other co-morbid conditions? That was the gist of the question; and greenshirt picked that up, so he or she answered it perfectly.

But for those who did not understood the question and did not even bother to ask me to clarify it but ignorantly assumed it to be a "weird" question or interpreted it in an extremely "simplistic" way," and if I am going to be as ignorant as you, I'd asumme that perhaps you think too simplistic that's why you bombed the MCAT and could not get into an MD school. But I am not going to assume that because I don't really know anything else about you to make such a conclusion and also such an assumption are invalid any way.

 

[spicedmanna]

And you're an idiot MS1 in DO school who can't get into an MD school right?

That is an ugly, angry combination of words. It could be construed as offensive.

Stop with the immature mud-slinging. Let's calm down before this gets even uglier.

 

[PlAnEjaNe]

It is a given that a family doctor can diagnose and treat common diseases and for the ones that they are unable to treat, they'll write referral.

But for the non-primary care specialist, who had become too specialized, for example in the field of neurosurgery, could they still be able to diagnose and treat common disease like hypertension or other co-morbid conditions? That was the gist of the question; and greenshirt picked that up, so he or she answered it perfectly.

But for those who did not understood the question and did not even bother to ask me to clarify it but ignorantly assumed it to be a "weird" question or interpreted it in an extremely "simplistic" way," and if I am going to be as ignorant as you, I'd asumme that perhaps you think too simplistic that's why you bombed the MCAT and could not get into an MD school. But I am not going to assume that because I don't really know anything else about you to make such a conclusion and also such an assumption are invalid any way.

Then please do us all a favor and leave (points do door) -------->

Thanks.

-PlAnEjaNe

 

[Dr JPH]

And you're an idiot MS1 in DO school who can't get into an MD school right?

Now why did you go an say something stupid like that.

I took a lot of time before to help you out in answering your questions, particularly the one about plastic surgery. And then you have to act like an a$$hole.

Youre not getting any more help from me.

Perhaps you should go find another profession where your type of mean spirited nonsense is accepted. Law school for example.

You have no business wanting to become a doctor and as far as I am concerned you are no longer welcome in the osteopathic forums. And I think I speak for the majority on that one.

 

[froggiepremed]

My point is that you shouldn't jump to quick conclusion or look down on people when you don't have any solid base or evidence at hand. I can just quickly jump to the conclusion and state that you're an idiot MS1 who can't get into an MD school but wanting to specialize in neurosurgery because you have a big ego. However, I am not going to do that because I don't really know anything about you and I do not want to put you or anyone else down. I just posed that question in the prior reply to let know know how it feel when someone being ignorant and just jump to a conclusion without any bases for their argument.

This is a forum where med students share ideas and get advice/help from others. If you don't like certain post or if you don't have any positive contribution, you don't have to comment it. If your mouth is full of trash, don't even bother to open it. You're going to be a doctor, act like one.

If you don't have the character and acting like a d-bag, you can spend as many year in your medical education and training as you like, but it will not correct your character defect and you'll always be a scum bag.

My two cents

Someone has their panties in a wad

 

[Dr JPH]

You're going to be a doctor, act like one.

So I guess the fact that youre not going to become a doctor entitled you to act however you please. Convenient.

 

[spicedmanna]

If your mouth is full of trash, don't even bother to open it.

I recommend looking in the mirror as you say that.

 

[PhysicianArtist]

I recommend looking in the mirror as you say that.

Spicemanna! If you don't have anything intelligent to say, then I would suggest that you keep it shut. Otherwise, people would think that you're not only ignorant but stubborn.

 

[PhysicianArtist]

Then please do us all a favor and leave (points do door) -------->

Thanks.

-PlAnEjaNe

You have no basis for your arguments nor does it seem like you've understand anything. It seemed like you're frustrated yet you are unable to articulate your thoughts in any coherrent ways. I pitied you.

 

[spicedmanna]

Spicemanna! If you don't have anything intelligent to say, then I would suggest that you keep it shut. Otherwise, people would think that you're not only ignorant but stubborn.

I doubt very many people outside of you think that thought. Then again, your words mean very little to me. If I were you, I'd quit before someone really gets offended and you end up getting reported, or worse.

Moderators, please close this thread.

 

[PhysicianArtist]

I recommend looking in the mirror as you say that.

Spicedmanna, you seem like a frustrated seventh grader who employ the dirty tricks of personal attacks. If you do not have anything significant to say and do not have any evidence to back your claim, I suggest that you save yourself from further humuliation and keep your mouth shut.

As for the osteopathic medical students in this forum, who have made or will make idiotic comments and acted like a troll, I suggest yo re-evaluate your actions. Most of you will be DOs one day and acting like the way you are acting, you will not get much support from the public and you'll bring shame to osteopathic medicine as a profession in general.

 

[HarveyCushing]

Spicedmanna, you seem like a frustrated seventh grader who employ the dirty tricks of personal attacks. If you do not have anything significant to say and do not have any evidence to back your claim, I suggest that you save yourself from further humuliation and keep your mouth shut.

As for the osteopathic medical students in this forum, who have made or will make idiotic comments and acted like a troll, I suggest yo re-evaluate your actions. Most of you will be DOs one day and acting like the way you are acting, you will not get much support from the public and you'll bring shame to osteopathic medicine as a profession in general.

So what has been the purpose of your last 3-4 posts? Do you want to have the last word? Do you want us to give up and say that you are right? Basically you have done nothing useful for this community. Just stop before it gets any worse, cut your losses and move on.

 

[spicedmanna]

Spicedmanna, you seem like a frustrated seventh grader who employ the dirty tricks of personal attacks. If you do not have anything significant to say and do not have any evidence to back your claim, I suggest that you save yourself from further humuliation and keep your mouth shut.

As for the osteopathic medical students in this forum, who have made or will make idiotic comments and acted like a troll, I suggest yo re-evaluate your actions. Most of you will be DOs one day and acting like the way you are acting, you will not get much support from the public and you'll bring shame to osteopathic medicine as a profession in general.

Please don't make me use my credibility against you. I have a long posting history of aiding folks here on SDN. I don't like throwing that around as I am a humble person, who needs no reward for being of service. I rarely, if ever resort to abrasive comments, unless provoked, and even then, I prefer to leave well enough alone, knowing that folks eventually dig their own grave. You really have no idea who you are talking to, do you? I'm no spring chicken. I've had been attacked by tougher folks than you.

The only one acting like a troll right now is you. And I'm done playing. The end. Please note that the next attack from you will be reported.

 

[Dr JPH]

Most of you will be DOs one day and acting like the way you are acting, you will not get much support from the public and you'll bring shame to osteopathic medicine as a profession in general.

I think I will just smile.

 

[Dr JPH]

deleted

 

[PhysicianArtist]

Please don't make me use my credibility against you. I have a long posting history of aiding folks here on SDN. I don't like throwing that around as I am a humble person, who needs no reward for being of service. I rarely, if ever resort to abrasive comments, unless provoked, and even then, I prefer to leave well enough alone, knowing that folks eventually dig their own grave. You really have no idea who you are talking to, do you? I'm no spring chicken. I've had been attacked by tougher folks than you.

The only one acting like a troll right now is you. And I'm done playing. The end. Please note that the next attack from you will be reported.

Did you know that you contradicted yourself in your own argument? You claimed that you are a humble person, yet you absolutely had to mentioned your 'history of aiding folks here on SDN' and your 'credibility.' A truly humble person would never need to bring up their history of helping others or their credibility. On the other hand, a person who pretend to be humble would need to convince other that they are humble. It is quite obvious!

With regard to your next statement, "And I am done playing. The end. Please note that the next attack from you will be reported,"

I have to say that I never intended to treat this forum as a game like you. I've been treating this forum as a place where medical students exchange their ideas and get help in enriching each other as future physicians. It has been you who had been playing game; and I am glad that you've stopped. Feel free to report me due to your personal frustration. I never attacked anyone personally nor trolling. Even if the moderators might see otherwise, would that be a big loss to me? You're smart enough, you do the thinking.

As for your other statement, "You don't know who you're talking to?" My respond is that it is becoming obvious who you are as you've written more and more, because as you've written more, your own ignorance and stupidity unmask themselves further. Do I need to explain this issue any further?

 

[PhysicianArtist]

So what has been the purpose of your last 3-4 posts? Do you want to have the last word? Do you want us to give up and say that you are right? Basically you have done nothing useful for this community. Just stop before it gets any worse, cut your losses and move on.

What is it with you and win/losses and having the last words? When you asked me those questions above, it pointed out to me that you're an egocentric person, viewing things in term of win/losses/having the last words to say. Life is not about winning or losing buddy. Let me ask you this question why did you want to go into neurosurgery? Is it because it's prestigous?

This forum as a place where medical students exchange ideas and help each other. If you do not contribute, the least you can do is not to put other people down.

 

[HarveyCushing]

Not worth it for me either. OP. If you have any other questions we will be happy to help.

 

[spicedmanna]

Deleted. Nevermind, it's not worth it. It's not my place to give feedback where it isn't wanted. OP, good luck.

 

[misparas]

This is one of the strangest threads that I've read here on SDN...

 

[VALSALVA]

Where's a moderator when you need one! This is a horrible thread with nasty vibes all over the place.

To most of you out there replying to the OP: You're better than this! I've read many quality posts by most of you. I can't figure out why you're giving the OP any attention at all??!!! It doesn't fit your character(s).

 

[spicedmanna]

Where's a moderator when you need one! This is a horrible thread with nasty vibes all over the place.

I finally reported it.

To most of you out there replying to the OP: You're better than this! I've read many quality posts by most of you. I can't figure out why you're giving the OP any attention at all??!!! It doesn't fit your character(s).

You are right, Valsalva; thanks for the feedback.

 

[PhysicianArtist]

Here we go with the usual name calling again. It just goes to show how low some of the DO students can go. I am out!

 

[Dr JPH]

Here we go with the usual name calling again. It just goes to show how low some of the DO students can go. I am out!

Well, at least some of us will become physicians.

I will try to remember your sensitivity when I write orders for stool cultures....every 2 hours, NurseArtist.

 

[PhysicianArtist]

Well, at least some of us will become physicians.

I will try to remember your sensitivity when I write orders for stool cultures....every 2 hours, NurseArtist.

I am not going to name call you Joshua. I messaged you and warn you not to attack me for I am thankful of the question you've answered for me. But I can see how low a DO like you would go to resort to name calling as a tactic.

I posted earlier that a four year of education will not make you a doctor. It might improve your skills. But If you have a character defect, you can be in school your whole life and you're still a d-bag.

IF I AM GOING TO USE THE SAME LOW TACTIC AS YOU 'DOS' HAVE BEEN UTILIZED AGAINST ME, I'd state the following:

1. A DO is not a real doctor anyway and OMM is a joke, and I have evidence to substantiate such claims.

2. If you tell people you go to PCOM or LeCOM, it'd sounds like some internet web-site. They will reply like, "what! that's a medical school?" LOL Remember the dotcom bust for the stock market? Well you can expect the COM burst for osteopathic/second grade medical school also.

3. Most of you should be studying to improve your skill to treat your future patients instead of dogging people on SDN. You should be greatful that DO schools gave you a chance to be a doctor when your bombed the MCAT and have mediocre grades; and you should translate that into positive actions for others instead of dogging people on SDN. It's a shame that there are these people called, "DO" who claim to be doctor. Good luck with answering what is a DO your whole life."

Do you see what kind of result that could be accomplished if I utilize the same d-bag tactics as you DO have been utilized? It'll be a turf war where nothing could be accomplished. Yet you all dumb-ass DO asked for it. So I will let you have it.

 

[PhysicianArtist]

Well, at least some of us will become physicians.

I will try to remember your sensitivity when I write orders for stool cultures....every 2 hours, NurseArtist.

I am not going to name call you Joshua Hazelton. I messaged you and warn you not to attack me for I am thankful of the question you've answered for me. But I can see how low a DO like you would go to resort to name calling as a tactic and even degrade nurses.

There IS NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING A NURSE. Instead of degrading the nursing profession Joshua Hazelton, D.O., you should be proud of their help and their contributions in the medical field. When you look down on nurses, that just show how arrogant you are.

I posted earlier that a four year of education will not make you a doctor. It might improve your skills. But If you have a character defect and you act like a scumbag, you can be in school your whole life and you'll still be a d-bag.

IF I AM GOING TO USE THE SAME LOW TACTIC AS YOU 'DOS' HAVE BEEN UTILIZED, I'd state the following:

1. A DO is not a real doctor anyway and OMM is a joke, and I have evidence to substantiate such claims. Also, If I need spinal manipulation, I'd go to a chiropractor instead of these arrogant DOs who claims to be physicians.

2. If you tell people you go to PCOM or LeCOM, it'd sounds like some internet web-site. They will reply like, "what! that's a medical school?" Remember the dotcom bust for the stock market? Well you can expect the COM burst for the osteopathic/second grade medical schools also.

3. Most of you should be studying to improve your skill to treat your future patients instead of dogging people on SDN. You should be greatful that DO schools gave you a chance to be a doctor when your bombed the MCAT and got mediocre grades during your undergraduate education; and you should translate that chance to go to school into positive actions for others instead of dogging people on SDN. There are good DO out there, but it's a shame that there are these people called, "DO" who claim to be doctor. It should be more appropriate to call those "DO" as "Dumb Osteopath." Good luck with answering what is a DO your whole life."

Do you see what kind of results that could be accomplished if I utilize the same d-bag tactics as you future DOs have been utilized? It'll be a turf war where nothing could be accomplished.

 

[All4MyDaughter]

Well, this thread has gone off track. Don't see it getting back to a useful discussion, so closing.