"DON'T do medicine" (2 Viewers)

[amour]

This was an eye opener for me.

http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/abinaz...go-to-medical-school-a-gleefully-biased-rant/

 

[RishBonjour]

1 and 3, reasons why i did not even bother trying/thinking about medicine

 

[enoilgam]

This was an eye opener for me.

http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/abinaz...go-to-medical-school-a-gleefully-biased-rant/

Since its written in the US, it may not be as applicable to Australia. However, it reflects most of the accounts which I have heard from the few people I know who have become doctors. When going into medicine, people often think that its glitz, glamour and $500k pay checks. Deep down the pay to effort ratio isnt very good. In saying that though, I'd still do medicine over my current degree any day.

 

[Corvid]

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1775271

 

[4025808]

I never wanted to do medicine anyway, since I believed that it wouldn't be worth all that work. Plus all that hype about medicine is overrated anyway. Actuarial is where it's at now :L

 

[Aerath]

There's a: "Don't do XXXXX" for pretty much every profession out there.

 

[Havox]

This was an eye opener for me.

http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/abinaz...go-to-medical-school-a-gleefully-biased-rant/

1. This one depends on how well you manage your life, some do it better than others. Make an effort to keep in contact and you should be fine.
2. See 1.
3. Actually, this is mostly untrue in Australia. Sleep deprived...Maybe. Underpaid, arguable. The base income I think is 55k AUD a year in NSW at the moment and is slated to rise in coming years - from what I heard, most interns (first year grad) will pick up around 70k ish a year on average in Aus including bonuses which isn't too bad for a fresh graduate. The average pay for a consultant is around 220-240k AUD per year depending on your source. Medical school with HECS costs 40k AUD TOTAL, not per year.
4. This is a deeply personal question that you'll have to ask yourself. Are you satisfied with what you're getting from what you do?
5. Reality of the profession these days.
6. Learn to look after yourself.
7. Welcome to reality.
8, 9, 10 - Seems like someone is getting over dramatic. A lot of this isn't true.

Take what you will but remember that article is written from an American context and perspective which will be different from what we experience here. The hospital and health systems are completely different and ultimately med isn't for everyone.

 

[hul0]

well if you'd really wanted to medicine then you would make such sacrifices, otherwise you'd be putting yourself first before service to humanity

 

[Bobbo1]

Yep, whatever floats your boat I guess, there's going to be ups and downs for any professions, it's just a matter which career you prefer (and not your parents, grandparents, uncles or aunts)

 

[iwantfreeessays]

too late.

 

[Bdogz]

Obviously that article is pointed at the so called "baseline" jobs within the medical profession, i.e. GP, I know plenty of Specialists who are earning a cool 500k for what is basically reading a set of results and determining the diagnosis. Strive for the top and it's well worth all the hardwork during lead-up

 

[Dr_Fresh]

i know a plastic surgeon who owns his own airstrip and private jet.

also know an opthamologist who brings in approx $ 6 mil a year without breaking a sweat working in private.

yes doctors can be filthy rich, but most are probably earning around 200-500k pa.

i have met these people irl so no bull.

 

[mitchy_boy]

If u can put yourself through the 10 years of shit to get to become a specialist, then med sounds great.

 

[xeuyrawp]

i know a plastic surgeon who owns his own airstrip and private jet.

also know an opthamologist who brings in approx $ 6 mil a year without breaking a sweat working in private.

yes doctors can be filthy rich, but most are probably earning around 200-500k pa.

i have met these people irl so no bull.

I've also met people who didn't finish school and earn more than those people combined. This is what we call anecdotal evidence: It's useless.

 

[passionxmusic]

I agree and don't agree with some of these points on the article. I respect med students... they'll be earning more than us accountants and impact positively on the lives of others at the end of the day.

 

[choccie monster]

Loved the response by BillyBob (in the link):

"While I find this article entertaining, and mostly correct, we must keep in mind that a positive attitude and outlook are essential qualities to any successful professional. No matter what job you choose, there are plusses and minuses. Medicine truly is a profession unlike any other in which your trials and struggles eventually end in potential to help others. People who cannot help themselves. Let us not forget that medicine, despite its difficulties and the way that it can harden an otherwise empathetic and sensitive individual, is a profession that will in the end be more rewarding than any other thing you do in this life. That is, of course, assuming you have a love and passion for it."

So very true.

 

[Dr_Fresh]

I've also met people who didn't finish school and earn more than those people combined. This is what we call anecdotal evidence: It's useless.

thats a 1 in a million ratio. compare that to the 1 in 50 for these guys once they get into med school.

i might not have a PhD in mathematics but id take 1/50 anyday. even if u dont end up being a top notch surgeon, an average GP will still be making 250k pa average GUARANTEED. which is more than 4x the average salary.
but medicine is not about money, its about helping people on the personal level. lets just leave it at that.

 

[Havox]

even if u dont end up being a top notch surgeon, an average GP will still be making 250k pa average GUARANTEED.

That's a gross income before taking expenses into account.

 

[Dr_Fresh]

That's a gross income before taking expenses into account.

but for some1 who doesnt own their own practice, theres no major expenses. maybe only a couple of grand for insurance.
ur only major expense is when u own ur own practice (rent, receptionist etc), but if u do you will be earning a lot more than 250k.

 

[Havox]

but for some1 who doesnt own their own practice, theres no major expenses. maybe only a couple of grand for insurance.
ur only major expense is when u own ur own practice (rent, receptionist etc), but if u do you will be earning a lot more than 250k.

Agreed. It'll depend on what your circumstances are but if memory serves me correctly, the actual average (not the median) net income for a GP is around 170k.