Any other doctors thinking of calling it quits?

[Anonymous]

After realizing that the woman piercing ears at the mall gets more than I do to see some patients, I have had to give this some thought. Seems like all my professional friends make more and have more free time.

Most of the time, I can not "be there" for my kids. Even when they have gone to the ER, my relatives have had to take them.
Each year I work harder, but make less money. Mostly, I am tired because it is a laborious job.
The reforms that are planned might make things worse, and I am afraid that I have no wiggle room.

I have another degree that I could use to get into another industry, so I am lucky that way. Medicine really was a terrible investment, but I might have to move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:After realizing that the woman piercing ears at the mall gets more than I do to see some patients, I have had to give this some thought. Seems like all my professional friends make more and have more free time.

Most of the time, I can not "be there" for my kids. Even when they have gone to the ER, my relatives have had to take them.
Each year I work harder, but make less money. Mostly, I am tired because it is a laborious job.
The reforms that are planned might make things worse, and I am afraid that I have no wiggle room.

I have another degree that I could use to get into another industry, so I am lucky that way. Medicine really was a terrible investment, but I might have to move on.

Is that why you went into it? If so, it's probably not the profession for you. Best wishes with something else.

[Anonymous]

You may find like minded physicians in practices that believe "We don't take insurance" is the way to go. My experience is that they blow you lots of sunshine but are no better than drs who do take insurance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You may find like minded physicians in practices that believe "We don't take insurance" is the way to go. My experience is that they blow you lots of sunshine but are no better than drs who do take insurance.

Not sure what you mean by 'blow you lots of sunshine'?

The difference is that doctors who don't accept insurance are able to spend more time with their patients, and have a more rewarding practice. All the time and resources that other offices spend on insurance verification / insurance bililng can be put into actual patient care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:After realizing that the woman piercing ears at the mall gets more than I do to see some patients, I have had to give this some thought. Seems like all my professional friends make more and have more free time.

Most of the time, I can not "be there" for my kids. Even when they have gone to the ER, my relatives have had to take them.
Each year I work harder, but make less money. Mostly, I am tired because it is a laborious job.
The reforms that are planned might make things worse, and I am afraid that I have no wiggle room.

I have another degree that I could use to get into another industry, so I am lucky that way. Medicine really was a terrible investment, but I might have to move on.

Is that why you went into it? If so, it's probably not the profession for you. Best wishes with something else.

Not the OP, but cut her some slack. Medical school costs a couple hundred thousand $$$. Not to mention 7 years of school, training, a big chunk of most people's 20s. Why do you assume she was only talking about money?

After investing all that money in time, she has a right to expect she may have a rewarding career and at least be well compensated for the long hours and time away from family. I find it hard to believe you wouldn't expect the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Not the OP, but cut her some slack. Medical school costs a couple hundred thousand $$$. Not to mention 7 years of school, training, a big chunk of most people's 20s. Why do you assume she was only talking about money?

After investing all that money in time, she has a right to expect she may have a rewarding career and at least be well compensated for the long hours and time away from family. I find it hard to believe you wouldn't expect the same.

I agree completely. Most people go into whatever career they chose to earn a decent salary and get some satisfaction from their work. If you're working and not getting paid, it's called volunteering. Totally different from a career.

Doctors are no different. They work hard and go through years of school expecting to get paid a decent salary after graduation. Same as accountants, lawyers, plumbers, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:After realizing that the woman piercing ears at the mall gets more than I do to see some patients, I have had to give this some thought. Seems like all my professional friends make more and have more free time.

Most of the time, I can not "be there" for my kids. Even when they have gone to the ER, my relatives have had to take them.
Each year I work harder, but make less money. Mostly, I am tired because it is a laborious job.
The reforms that are planned might make things worse, and I am afraid that I have no wiggle room.

I have another degree that I could use to get into another industry, so I am lucky that way. Medicine really was a terrible investment, but I might have to move on.

To the OP - if you have another degree that you can use, I'd say go for it! That's wonderful. Life it too short, and your kids will grow up too fast.

If it's mostly about the time, is there any way you can go part-time? Our pediatrician (Dr. Lynne Myers) went part-time while her 3 boys were young, and now that they're grown, she's back to full-time. Seemed to work great for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:After realizing that the woman piercing ears at the mall gets more than I do to see some patients, I have had to give this some thought. Seems like all my professional friends make more and have more free time.

Most of the time, I can not "be there" for my kids. Even when they have gone to the ER, my relatives have had to take them.
Each year I work harder, but make less money. Mostly, I am tired because it is a laborious job.
The reforms that are planned might make things worse, and I am afraid that I have no wiggle room.

I have another degree that I could use to get into another industry, so I am lucky that way. Medicine really was a terrible investment, but I might have to move on.

Is that why you went into it? If so, it's probably not the profession for you. Best wishes with something else.

It is a bad investment. I have a friend who is an internist married to an electrical engineer. He did 4 years of college. She did 8 years of school plus 3 years of residency. He makes more. Money counts. Money is real.

[Anonymous]

How much money do you make at the mall piercing ears? I might look into that. (I'm a teacher)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:After realizing that the woman piercing ears at the mall gets more than I do to see some patients, I have had to give this some thought. Seems like all my professional friends make more and have more free time.

Most of the time, I can not "be there" for my kids. Even when they have gone to the ER, my relatives have had to take them.
Each year I work harder, but make less money. Mostly, I am tired because it is a laborious job.
The reforms that are planned might make things worse, and I am afraid that I have no wiggle room.

I have another degree that I could use to get into another industry, so I am lucky that way. Medicine really was a terrible investment, but I might have to move on.

Is that why you went into it? If so, it's probably not the profession for you. Best wishes with something else.

Not the OP, but cut her some slack. Medical school costs a couple hundred thousand $$$. Not to mention 7 years of school, training, a big chunk of most people's 20s. Why do you assume she was only talking about money?

After investing all that money in time, she has a right to expect she may have a rewarding career and at least be well compensated for the long hours and time away from family. I find it hard to believe you wouldn't expect the same.

I'm not being mean. I sincerely am wishing her best with something else. I went to law school, which is not the same type of time and financial commitment as medical school, but it's similar. My peers who were there for the money are the most miserable in their jobs. My peers who were there for the love of the profession are the most content. Don't do it primarily for the money. It's not worth it.

[Anonymous]

OP, my dad got fed up with all the insurance hassles and pressure a few years ago. Now he does locum tenens. He picks his own hours. If he doesn't like a practice for whatever reason, he doesn't go back there. He doesn't get to connect with the patients like he used to, but the financial pressures (3 patients scheduled in each 10 minute block) made that pretty much impossible anyway. I get the feeling he could work as much as he wanted to. And it pays pretty well, for a semi-retiree, anyway. Does your co-parent carry the family's insurance? That's the downside of a contractor gig.

[Anonymous]

What about working at a government agency that employs doctors in a non-practicing capacity? For example, FDA employs medical officers at good salaries, and great, 8-4 type hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:After realizing that the woman piercing ears at the mall gets more than I do to see some patients, I have had to give this some thought. Seems like all my professional friends make more and have more free time.

Most of the time, I can not "be there" for my kids. Even when they have gone to the ER, my relatives have had to take them.
Each year I work harder, but make less money. Mostly, I am tired because it is a laborious job.
The reforms that are planned might make things worse, and I am afraid that I have no wiggle room.

I have another degree that I could use to get into another industry, so I am lucky that way. Medicine really was a terrible investment, but I might have to move on.

Is that why you went into it? If so, it's probably not the profession for you. Best wishes with something else.

Not the OP, but cut her some slack. Medical school costs a couple hundred thousand $$$. Not to mention 7 years of school, training, a big chunk of most people's 20s. Why do you assume she was only talking about money?

After investing all that money in time, she has a right to expect she may have a rewarding career and at least be well compensated for the long hours and time away from family. I find it hard to believe you wouldn't expect the same.

I'm not being mean. I sincerely am wishing her best with something else. I went to law school, which is not the same type of time and financial commitment as medical school, but it's similar. My peers who were there for the money are the most miserable in their jobs. My peers who were there for the love of the profession are the most content. Don't do it primarily for the money. It's not worth it.

So you are saying that you would work very hard with little pay. Lets say 70 hours a week of hard work for $120K, at the age of 50? Nights and weekends? In this area in 2009 that is a measley salary, maybe in 1980 you could brag a bit with 120K, buit not now.
I don't know too many TOP lawyers who work for indigent bank robbers who need defense.
If the deal with medicine is that you shouldn't be doing it for money, two things should happen. First, med students should be told before applying. Second, the tuition should be handled by the government.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
It is a bad investment. I have a friend who is an internist married to an electrical engineer. He did 4 years of college. She did 8 years of school plus 3 years of residency. He makes more. Money counts. Money is real.

I can echo this story.

Medical school is not worth the expense (especially if you have to take out loans) and the time. Unless you have a real love for the profession. (like the other pp mentioned)

The problem is that even if you love seeing patients, and taking care of people, you still have to make a living. Also, all the fun stuff (healing people, making connections with them) has become less and less a part of medical practice. Doctors spend more and more time dealing with administrative hassles.

[Anonymous]

OP, do you REALLY think that the mall retail worker makes more money than you? She probably has no health insurance. And here you are griping about health care reform. Get real.