Is a career in medicine really worth it?

<p>thank you. But do you think that if I still major in Finance and take premed courses, the admission committee would still strongly consider me? Would it be better of if I major in Biology or chemistry to get into med shool? Also, if i am a junior in college, how long do you think it will take to complete my premed courses? thanks a lot in advance.</p>

<p>Major doesn't matter in admissions. The ratios of majors among matriculating students is nearly identical to the ratios of majors among applicants.</p>

<p>Pre-med curriculum will probably take you at least 3 semesters minimum to complete - probably closer to 4 semesters, but depends on what you've taken science wise so far, and of course what other things you have to complete for your finance requirements. 2 semesters each of biology, physics, general chemistry, and organic...you'll have to double and triple up and make use of summer courses to get done in three. Technically, I suppose, you could start during a summer session with gen chem 1 and bio 1, do gen chem 2 and bio 2 in the fall, organic and physics in the spring and organic 2 and physics 2 the following summer...</p>

<p>The actual bigger issue is that you'll need to find time for getting in on extracurricular things needed for medical school admission. Hopefully you have some solid campus involvement, leadership, and general volunteering experiences so far, and maybe even some finance related research. Then you'd really only have to add some physician shadowing and clinical volunteering/experiences. If you don't have a good base already though...it only makes sense to space out your pre-med courses to give yourself enough time to do the other stuff. Don't forget about the MCAT.</p>

<p>I' m curious about Canada, with their different healthcare system. how are docs paid over there?</p>

<p>Hi! I am finance major and now wants to go to medical school. So, if I am taking premed classes, wouldn't that be a waste of time for majoring in finance? thanks in advance.</p>

<p>Taking premed classes is not a waste of time if you are applying to medical school, since they are, in fact, required. What's your question?</p>

<p>Hi! I am saying that if I am getting a degree in Finance and decided to go to medical school, would that be a waste of my time to major in finance? thanks in advance.</p>

<p>While finance has some applications to one's personal life, I would be surprised if you couldn't find something that you found more interesting.</p>

<p>
[quote]
If you are in medicine just for the money (or even just the respect) there are a thousand other ways that are all MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH easier and less time consuming than medicine.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>can someone give me some specific examples please?? I am looking around and i cant find much. (serious)</p>

<p>Plumbing. See top of page four here:
<a href="http://www.esplanner.com/Articles/NYTimes%202007-05-12.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.esplanner.com/Articles/NYTimes%202007-05-12.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>plumbing and what else???</p>

<p>Well, if plumbing made the list, you'd have to imagine it's a pretty long list. Auto mechanic. Corporate financier. Management consultant. Lawyer. Computer engineer. Firefighter. Airline pilot. I haven't done that math on these (except for corporate financier and lawyer), but I feel pretty confident.</p>

<p>That brings up the joke about the Doctor that has the plumber come to his home to fix his sink. The plumber spends about 20 minutes, comes out, says everything is fixed, and hands the Doctor a bill for $300. The Doctor says "I can't believe this... I see a patient, do a complete history, physical exam, and it takes me almost an hour, and I only get paid $125!" The plumber responds.. "That's exactly what I charged when I was a Doctor!"</p>

<p>I have been a practicing physician (G.I.) for 20 years. Just some comments today after a full day... (started at 7:30 AM doing procedures... completed 10 endoscopic procedures with 15 minute break for lunch at my desk, then office patients from 3:00 (about 8 follow up patients), and just finishing up now)</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Morale is very low amongst practicing Doctors. </p></li>
<li><p>It is going to continue to get worse in the future.</p></li>
<li><p>There are still many good reasons to become a physician, but becoming wealthy is not one of them.</p></li>
<li><p>Pediatricians and GP's make about as much money as a Middle School Principal. They make less than the average middle manager at a Fortune 500 Company. You must accept this if you are planning to be in one of these specialties.</p></li>
<li><p>Cardiologists and Gastroenterologists can make as much after 10-15 years of practice (also add in 4 years Med School and 6-8 years of Residency) as a high level manager at a Fortune 500 company. General Surgeons make less.
Average work week for these specialties is 60-70 hours with significant night call. Don't expect a leisurely schedule. If you are in a big group, you might only be on call every 5th or 6th weekend. When you are on call you will be answering calls frequently and going to the hospital at night. These are just examples. There are other specialties as well. The income and workload varies, but in my experience, I don't know any specialty that is immune to the recent trend of increased workload and decreased reimbursement... it is universal. </p></li>
<li><p>Physicians don't get paid for using their brain. The reimbursement for cognitive services is pathetically low. This is very sad. When I was a Medical Student the most enjoyable part for me was being able to listen to a case and come up with the correct diagnosis, based on the history, physical exam and labs. This is a lost art. Nobody is interested in this anymore, because there is no time to focus on this, and no reimbursement for being good at it. You only get paid for doing procedures, and those fees have dropped by 50% over the last 10 years. That's why high procedure specialties like GI, Cardiology, ENT, etc. are popular. Our practice is doing well because we are partners in an ambulatory surgical center which is successful. If you aren't a good businessman, and are just a brilliant physician, there is no guarantee you will be successful in practice. That's also sad. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>Sorry for the dose of reality. Happy to answer queries.
Don't let this scare you if you really want it. But honestly...
I have counseled both my children to choose another field.</p>

<p>rds248:</p>

<p>Your comments are interesting. I have a child who is premed and I've been concerned about the state of medicine today. Since I have been seeing a number of different types of doctors over the past several months because of a number of medical issues, I have asked each of them whether they would do it again. Most said yes regardless of the pay, insurance issues, etc. Those practising the longest were the most positive. Most said that they couldn't imagine themselves doing anything different regardless of pay or hours.</p>

<p>To add one more thing. I do however know of a doctor who has an international reputation who has been miserable as a doctor and is leaving the profession primarily because this wasn't truly what this person had wanted to do and has realized it after more than 25 years. Of course this individual is extremely wealthy and can afford to do anything. So the question becomes was it worth the money??</p>

<p>Well, I am glad you got those positive responses. I hear mostly complaining in the Physician's lounge. Interesting that you say the ones that have been at it longest seemed the most sure they wouldn't change what they are doing. Those are the ones that have seen the most dramatic change in the profession, and of my colleagues are the most unhappy. I hear mostly... I'm glad I only will be doing this for another 5 years.</p>

<p>It's a hard pill to swallow when you have seen the gradual dismantling and destruction of a noble and great profession over the last 10-15 years. I won't go into too much detail, but I have had direct dealings with these large health insurance companies, and know the inside story on what goes on in their boardrooms. We have put our health care system in the hands of a bunch of money grubbing corporate raiders, who have been happy to line their pockets and the pockets of their shareholders at the expense of doctors and patients alike, without providing any benefit whatsoever to the health of our nation. They have reaped billions in profits by being middle men, and simply sucking money away from healthcare and into their pockets like a giant vacuum. They sit in committees brainstorming ways to prevent patients from getting healthcare, and preventing physicians and hospitals from receiving fair reimbursement for their services. This is what our present healthcare system has come to. </p>

<p>In my office waiting room I have an article that reveals the income of the CEO's of the top 10 Health insurers last year. The lowest was in the 5 million dollar range, and the highest was that crook McGuire from United Healthcare at a shocking 100 million dollars. This is stolen money... money that should have been going to pay for healthcare, but is not. </p>

<p>We are constantly fighting with the insurance companies for fair reimbursement. They use all sorts of illegal tricks to try to deny payment. Then when they get caught they get sued and get a slap on the wrist and pay a settlement. Horizon (Blue Cross Blue Shield) of NJ just was fined 9.5 million dollars because they tried to reduce payments illegaly to out of network physicians without getting permission from the state. Do you think that bothers them? It was worth the try for them to see if they could get away with it. 9.5 million is a drop in the hat for them.. just the cost of doing business. They are sitting on a BILLION dollars in cash. </p>

<p>So... whether you are a patient or a doctor you should be disgusted at what has happened to our system. It is a travesty. It occurred because the government somehow believed in the RUSE that "Managed Care" would reduce health care costs. </p>

<p>I think these issues, more than any other has resulted in the low morale amongst Physicians. We have been dictated to and taken advantage of by these powerful companies, who are making their directors rich while we deliver the health care, work hard, and try to pay our staff, our malpractice, and our rent. </p>

<p>Maybe the next generation will change this system. I don't have the answer. I do know that unless things change, there will be fewer and fewer of the best and brightest pursueing Medical careers, and that will be sad indeed.</p>

<p>so rds what is your view of internal medicine nowaday?</p>

<p>I just read every single post on this thread, wow. I am sad that medicine is going downhill so much.</p>

<p>I am a doctor in OB/Gyn. I have been practicing 16 yrs and my husband is an internist for 17 yrs. Our incomes are plummeting yearly. I am making half what I was making 6 yrs ago, my husband makes the same year after year. My practice of 5 doctors has 25,000 patients and working endless hours making 200k this year is we are lucky. It is not enough money to pay the mortgage, taxes, 3 teens going to college soon and so on. Good thing we paid our loans off in the good days. I see medical students from NYU at my hospital every day and they admit to taking 200k in loans. With 3 to 5 yrs of residency in front of them, loans with compounding interest and salaries for starting physicians at 65 t0 85k per year you can forget about a house, a car, etc. I will not let my children be doctors as it is only getting worse and the goverment and the public don't get it. They think we make a lot of money but what we make is not worth the years of dedication, expense, and personal sacrifice we make day to day. I predict in 5 to 10 years the system will crash and medicine as we know it won't exist. Sorry, but I speak the truth.</p>

<p>That is the truth, but not the only truth. My husband and I finished medical school about twenty years ago, and while we complain a lot, I for one, still feel very fortunate. Without knowing any better, I did not sacrifice happiness in high school or college, I did not take out much in the way of loans, and I happened to pick a specialty that intriuged me in training, and now allows me to work when I want, and still have time to do things for pleasure. It is not what it was when I started, but I'm glad I am in a position to keep it as good as it can be, at least in my little neck of the woods. I would not, however, try to influence my kids to be doctors. It's something you have to want for yourself. If I'd been on this forum before I started, I don't think I would have what it takes to get into medical school, at least not the way it sounds on CC .</p>

<p>PS purplegirl; I did my residency in the Bronx.</p>

<p>It appears (from various posts) that doctor's salaries have been going down. On the other hand I have been told they range from 150 to 250K after residency, even working for HMOs like kaiser or Sutter. Is this true? What are the realistic numbers for general physicians, Internists etc</p>