<p>Most of you have probably read this article. I was wondering what your reactions were and whether or not you could counter some of what's said here. Reasons</a> Not To Become A Doctor - Forbes.com</p>
<p>I don't think there's anything to counter.</p>
<p>There's just this: some of us find the joys of the field to be worth everything which that article says. It's all true, but it's not the entire truth. Getting to know a sick child and his family, putting a nursemaid's elbow back in proper position, or helping convince parents that their children really do need vaccines -- these aren't things that you hear about in the news, but they're part of the day-to-day reality.</p>
<p>The article is on the money, from everything I've seen. It's predictions are likely to be right. Its description of the future doesn't strike me as pessimistic. But capturing the scope of the interaction you have with patients and their families -- well, that's not part of what the article is intended to convey, so it doesn't bother.</p>
<p>"whether or not we could counter some of what's said"?
the whole article is written about the $$$$$, so there is nothing to counter.. the pay has been decreasing for years, it's a fact
don't consider going into medicine if money is the driving force behind your decision</p>
<p>If there are going to be shortages of doctors, wouldn't the limited number of doctors get paid a lot more...?</p>
<p>The article mentions four new med schools that will be opening in 2012. Anyone know who they are?</p>
<p>I believe UCF and FIU are accepting students in the 2008-2009 cycle.</p>
<p>I can think of Virginia Tech and Hofstra off the top of my head as two of the four planning to open in 2012.</p>
<p>Well, that's unfortunate...I've always liked the idea of becoming a doctor and certainly of helping where I can. But, the way the article portrays life as a physician doesn't make it at all appealing and especially considering one can help others through many alternate professions that are far more stable. The only difference in these terms is that physicians probably serve a more valuable (and, ironically, less appreciated) role to the individual than does an engineer, lawyer, businessman, or other professional. I'm not considering medicine for the money, but one would at least expect to be financially secure after all those years of education. That no longer seems to be the case in recent years.</p>
<p>While a lot of specialties like Emergency care physicians are going downhill there are still a lot of good specialties with increasing salary and good hours like Dermatologist, plastic surgeons, and Orthopedic Surgeon. All of the specialties i listed usually get money out of the pocket so you don't have to deal with as many insurance companies, because they don't cover it. Except orthopedic doctors sometimes don't. There is also i think a orthopedic sport doctor or something along those lines that follows football teams around and deal with any injuries the patients get ( free tickets to pro football teams + the best seat :D?)</p>
<p>I am a Junior in HS but this thing of people suing for small mistakes seem terrible and its the only thing that kind of scares me.</p>
<p>The fact is, the whole medical industry will decline after the baby boomers die off...(20 or so years from now) </p>
<p>Then...I'll just laugh at all my fellow Asian friends who are going to be doctors</p>
<p>agreed with Rh. 100%</p>
<p>Insurance and declining salaries? Who cares about all that? I'm only interested in medicine for the free pharmaceutical company handouts and knick knacks (free USB flash drives and laser pointer pens galore!!!!!!)</p>
<p>^^^^lmao im with ya there.
They give out some awesome stuff..this past year I wrote in nothin but pharmacutical pens lol(my moms a nurse)</p>
<p>Yeah we're not allowed to accept those anymore. Anyway:</p>
<p>
[quote]
If there are going to be shortages of doctors, wouldn't the limited number of doctors get paid a lot more...?
[/quote]
This would be true in a market economy. With payers (e.g. insurance companies and Medicare) dominating the economic landscape of medicine, however, normal market forces are massively distorted. In short: no.</p>
<p>You guys should watch the movie sicko to see what it's like being a doctor in Europe, it seems quite nice. The movie itself is about the health care industry in the U.S but they show other health care systems. Yeah those pharmaceuticals companies give out nice stuff, ENT docs get the best gifts because of allergy medication.</p>
<p>When the movie was made the U.S was ranked 37th in standard of care or something.</p>
<p>I do trauma surgery and deal alot with drunks and no money. So, the financial rewards are not great.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I went to Walmart yesterday and the checker started crying and hugging me for saving her 5 yr old son.</p>
<p>Guess what reward I like.</p>
<p>Don't you get paid a fixed salary by the hospital? Do they not pay you if the patient doesn't (that would be odd)? Anyway, your anecdote is probably the only really good reason to become a physician.</p>
<p>yes. I get an annual salary. anything billed goes to the dean etc</p>
<p>The thing is...there are specialties where these problems aren't as bad.</p>
<p>Yet .</p>