Job Story: Hard work that I love......Family Medicine Resident

[stoneberger robbystoney@yahoo.com]

How much does a resident make

I was playing the Devil's advocate and appreciate some of your responses. I was post-call & pre-mestrual (i.e. LOOK OUT!!) & I decided to mess with some of you. I'm actually a PGY3 for the past 2 wks. The light is at the end of the tunnel on this long, arduous journey. It takes a person with incredibly low self-esteem to choose a specialty based on what others will think (as if anyone really cares at the end of the day!). The best specialty is the one you like the best. End of discussion. <br />
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Good luck in next year's match & don't rule out FP!

[Dr. Seuss]

I was playing the Devil's advocate and appreciate some of your responses. I was post-call & pre-mestrual (i.e. LOOK OUT!!) & I decided to mess with some of you. I'm actually a PGY3 for the past 2 wks. The light is at the end of the tunnel on this long, arduous journey. It takes a person with incredibly low self-esteem to choose a specialty based on what others will think (as if anyone really cares at the end of the day!). The best specialty is the one you like the best. End of discussion. <br />
<br />
Good luck in next year's match & don't rule out FP!

By the way, Dr. Suess exhibits some delusional thinking with preception difficulties, grandiosity, with evidence of affective intensity and inappropriately directed anger. The content is indicative of impulsivity, and obviously some impairment of intellect. On the bright side, he/she demonstrates good insight with the phrase "you make me sick." Yes, you are sick. My diagnosis? Narcisstic personality disorder (DSM IV criteria). Differential diagnosis? Jerk

[Family Medicine Resident]

Medical and surgical subspecialities are extremely important and integral parts of the medical system. But they are only parts. The foundation of the medical pyramid is the group of physicians at the front line of medicine, the family docs. Obviously, it may not be the glorified positions as projected on television shows, but family doctors play important roles in people's lives, in health and in disease. And there is nothing more satisfying than the continuity of care that we can provide, and the relationship between the patient and the family doctor is the most crucial aspect of family medicine that makes it unique. I am not expected to know every single possible disease and affliction in the world as a GP, this is one reason why many doctors feel they cannot do general medicine. I am specialist in common diseases and afflictions however, and it is my duty to refer those patients who need to see specialists for "specialized" diseases or treatments that I cannot provide with my training. Does it hurt my pride to have to refer to a specialist who had dedicated their life to dealing with a particular subject of medicine? Absolutely not, especially if it is in the best interest of my patient. Even specialists will refer their patients to other specialists and sometimes even to family doctors! This is how the system works. No man is an island.<br />
In terms of loans, remember that a residency for family medicine is 3-6 years shorter than it is for a speciality, which is partly why specialists are paid more. Despite my apparently "measly" pay, i will pay off my three figure loan, new house, and car within 5-7 years, and I plan to take off 3 months a year to travel. Without the help of social assistance! I apologize for the sarcasm but really, how much money does a person need? Yes, I will be making about half the salary of a surgeon, but I will also choose to work a 40 hour week not 100 hour week so I can actually see my family and have a social life. Pretty good trade off for me, maybe not for everyone.<br />
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I hope that people who are actually researching this career are not influenced by the misconceptions of Dr. Suess who apparently got his degree in kindergarten. <br />
Family medicine is important, interesting, and can be financially rewarding.

[Tony]

I dont understand you Dr.Suess.I think FM is noble enough.

[Nursing Student]

Always wondered if I should have gone into medicine instead, since there are so many positive aspects to your profession. However, many of the benefits you list are true about nursing as well. And our autonomy increases further with a Master's degree. <br />
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Thanks for sharing, interesting post.

[Enlightened]

Your "autonomy" does not increase just because you have a Master's degree in Nursing. You are, and always will be a slave to the administration that signs your paycheck. <br />
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The only true autonomy comes from being able to be your own boss and control your own future financial and professional security.<br />
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Sorry to burst your bubble. As a nurse, you know as well as I that administration is never going to allow that to happen.

You foolishly didn't enter a lucrative surgical subspecialty. How do intend on paying back your loans? With you social security? No wonder you ended up in FP. You don't really help anyone, do you? You're nothing more than a glorified triage nurse. It's the specialists that run the show - never forget that. You make me sick. I will not risk getting carpal tunnel syndrome, but suffice to say, I have no respect for you. Do society a favor and reapply into something useful; like dermatology, radiology, etc.

[dr_faraz qayyum]

i wanna ask about surgical subspecialities