If you are a doctor, would you recommend it to your kids?

[Anonymous]

Many would not. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

No. Long hours. Sick clientele. Less compensation for time and effort spent.

[Anonymous]

FIL is a pediatric hematologist and oncologist who can't pay the bills with that work (on staff for 3 hospitals) so he has a regular pediatric practice as his main job. He strongly discourages anyone from going in to medicine these days.

[Anonymous]

Father, father in law and brother all doctors. All would not recommend.

[Anonymous]

Relative is a dermatologist. Income has dropped through the floor in the last few years; harder and harder to get paid from insurance companies and medicare reimbursement is a joke. He made a fortune in the 90s and is essentially working to keep busy, but his take home after his staff is paid is negligible even though he still sees a lot of patients.

[Anonymous]

I wanted to be one and my dad (surgeon) highly encouraged me not to.

[Anonymous]

Hmm!
I work in a hospital and a lot of MD's have kids following their footsteps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Relative is a dermatologist. Income has dropped through the floor in the last few years; harder and harder to get paid from insurance companies and medicare reimbursement is a joke. He made a fortune in the 90s and is essentially working to keep busy, but his take home after his staff is paid is negligible even though he still sees a lot of patients.

He needs less staff.

[Anonymous]

I think there is going to be a lack of doctors in 50 years due to the insane cost (and debt) of med school plus all the reasons mentioned here. Do you think the doctors that do still practice will be treated well due to their scarcity, or will they hate life the way doctors do now?

[Anonymous]

Yes, have been a dentist for 20 years. Enjoy the work most days, good hours, and solid income

[Anonymous]

My sister and brother in law are doctors and they encouraged their child to be one. I am not a doctor and I regret it because I could easily have been if I chose to do so and will encourage my children to become doctors. It's hands down best profession for smart people who want meaningful work.

[Anonymous]

Dh is doctor and we have discussed this before. I do not encourage our kids to be doctors. It's a ton of schooling, lots of debt, and the stress I've seen my husband go through during Med school, residency (the worst), and fellowship followed by a career that is draining emotionally and quite frankly not respected anymore --is not something I want for my children. And I actually actively try to steer them into other directions.

Dh on the other hand would still recommend it to our children. He agrees with all of my points, but in the end he has a passion for helping people. It's truly his calling and he would encourage our kids into the field if they felt it was their calling as well.

It's up there in the ranks as one of the most noblest forms of service to humanity.

[Anonymous]

^^^ I come from a long line of doctors in my family as well, so it's not just my husband's experience that influences my thoughts on this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dh is doctor and we have discussed this before. I do not encourage our kids to be doctors. It's a ton of schooling, lots of debt, and the stress I've seen my husband go through during Med school, residency (the worst), and fellowship followed by a career that is draining emotionally and quite frankly not respected anymore --is not something I want for my children. And I actually actively try to steer them into other directions.

Dh on the other hand would still recommend it to our children. He agrees with all of my points, but in the end he has a passion for helping people. It's truly his calling and he would encourage our kids into the field if they felt it was their calling as well.

It's up there in the ranks as one of the most noblest forms of service to humanity.

I agree with you. If this is the line of work people want I would suggest becoming a PA or NP

[Anonymous]

To do medical research? Yes, like DH.

It doesn't pay much but it's intellectually challenging and morally satisfying. These are crucial intangibles for being happy in life.

Most American practicing doctors are drudges in a system squashed to death by inhumane healthcare companies. I wouldn't want that for my child unless the system changed drastically.