Why ophtho?

[dropshotdragon]

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Hey guys,

I used to post on the step 1 forum sometime back. From California originally, went to med school in New York State and now in California for a transitional year. I matched at a good ophtho program and am 90% set on it. However, I have had a great time on my IM wards during my IM-heavy TY year and most of my IM attendings are really trying to get me to stay in a PGY2 IM spot, stating "your personality is suited for medicine". As my dad is a GI attending in a town close by, I have a tremendous incentive to continue medicine, finish a fellowship, and follow in his footsteps (ie. join his practice).

I do remember how much I used to love ophtho. But 2/2 to the length of time it's been since I have done anything in ophtho, I have forgotten the reasons I went into ophtho in the first place. I vaguely remember how much fun it was getting to work patients up in the clinic and also participate in surgeries in the OR, but that was in my 2nd/3rd year of medical school and I have been out of it for nearly 2.5 years. I do remember the nice lifestyle, and it does help that they are compensated well (although this is not the end all). Most of the people I have talked to think I am crazy for even considering such a move.

I am worried that if I switch to IM, I could be making a shortsighted decision and that all I need is someone to reinforce to me why I loved ophtho in the first place.

Anybody have any thoughts on how I should look at this and could share with me what they love about their career in ophthalmology? Anyone who is currently in the world of ophthalmology and who could help me out would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[orbitsurgMD]

Hey guys,

I used to post on the step 1 forum sometime back. From California originally, went to med school in New York State and now in California for a transitional year. I matched at a good ophtho program and am 90% set on it. However, I have had a great time on my IM wards during my IM-heavy TY year and most of my IM attendings are really trying to get me to stay in a PGY2 IM spot, stating "your personality is suited for medicine". As my dad is a GI attending in a town close by, I have a tremendous incentive to continue medicine, finish a fellowship, and follow in his footsteps (ie. join his practice).

I do remember how much I used to love ophtho. But 2/2 to the length of time it's been since I have done anything in ophtho, I have forgotten the reasons I went into ophtho in the first place. I vaguely remember how much fun it was getting to work patients up in the clinic and also participate in surgeries in the OR, but that was in my 2nd/3rd year of medical school and I have been out of it for nearly 2.5 years. I do remember the nice lifestyle, and it does help that they are compensated well (although this is not the end all). Most of the people I have talked to think I am crazy for even considering such a move.

I am worried that if I switch to IM, I could be making a shortsighted decision and that all I need is someone to reinforce to me why I loved ophtho in the first place.

Anybody have any thoughts on how I should look at this and could share with me what they love about their career in ophthalmology? Anyone who is currently in the world of ophthalmology and who could help me out would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Nobody here can make this choice for you. You either want ophthalmology enough to do a residency and career in the field, or you don't, and there is no shame in either. I would rather have you as a satisfied referring colleague in internal medicine than as an unhappy colleague in ophthalmology.

 

[Visionary]

GI is also a rewarding field with a good lifestyle. Like orbitsurgMD stated, you are the only one who can make this decision. Don't let anyone pressure you. You'll figure it out.

 

[Oculator]

Just remember. Every opportunity you accept is an opportunity to miss-out on something else. And every opportunity you turn down may be forever lost. Hope this helps.

 

[Visionary]

Just remember. Every opportunity you accept is an opportunity to miss-out on something else. And every opportunity you turn down may be forever lost. Hope this helps.

Nice, Confucius.

 

[eyesupply]

Gastroenterologist can make a lot of money. As of now, optometrists cannot do colonoscopies and will not likely do it for the next 50 years or more (unlike surgery, which they will increasing do in the next 20 years). It's just a matter of interests, if you like the work. The starting salary of GI is higher than ophthalmology. They can see a patient in 10 minutes without a tech. Ophthalmologists cannot see a patient in 10 minutes unless they hire techs. If a tech's wages and benefits are $50,000, then the ophthalmologist has to pay out $100,000 (2 techs) before they make their first dollar. Ophthalmology is a good field but is not nirvana.