Graduating med students choosing derm/plastics

<p>Link to NYT article today. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/19/fashion/19beauty.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/19/fashion/19beauty.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Issues:
1. Huge debt. Easier to pay off when you make the big bucks.
2. Life style. We "old codgers" who yes, did walk 10 miles through the snow to get to the hospital, can see the changes in this Gen Y. As I grossly generalize, many don't seem to want to work as hard (the regulations regarding the 80 hour work week have led to a shift mentality), want spoon feeding (I stopped giving relevant articles- never seemed to get read), and seem more interested in maintaining family/work balance (which of course, is not such a bad thing).</p>

<p>I'm in an academic hospital, and observe this over and over again in both residents and fellows.</p>

<p>No surprise to me. In the old days when doctors made house calls, many people chose to become doctors because they wanted to help people. Now, many choose to become doctors to help themselves.</p>

<p>So I actually went to HS with Ms. Singh, and her little sister was in my graduating class. And I want to point out that suburban Kansas City is A LOT different than KCK...I sure as heck grew up in 'the bubble' and not the 'dotte...I realize 99% of you have no idea what I'm talking about, and even more don't care, but this is an extremely important distinction.</p>

<p>All I can say is that for them to try to go through couples match in derm is about the most sadomasochistic thing I've EVER heard of any one doing. I have friends/classmates that are current third years with me who are planning to couples match and they're already complaining about the logistics and we're a full year away from our own match day.</p>

<p>Back in my day, the couples I knew who finished the same year, would not choose to go into the same specialty. I wish these two the best of luck, but what a strain, especially with two young children! I can not even imagine how hard their last few years have been. When I read the article, I wondered if they might have idea where there are going before match day tomorrow; maybe some inside information or promise from some program.</p>

<p>I read the article as my son will be doing the very same thing (not couples match) in several years.</p>