Top medical students now go into appearance-related fields: What about sick people?

[DeepModem Mom]

NYT: For Top Medical Students, an Attractive Field
By NATASHA SINGER
Published: March 19, 2008

....Seniors accepted in 2007 as residents in dermatology and two other appearance-related fields — plastic surgery and otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat doctors, some of whom perform facial cosmetic surgery) — had the highest median medical-board scores and the highest percentage of members in the medical honor society among 18 specialties, (a report by the Association of American Medical Colleges and the National Resident Matching Program) said.

The vogue for such specialties is part of a migration of a top tier of American medical students from branches of health care that manage major diseases toward specialties that improve the life of patients — and the lives of physicians, with better pay, more autonomy and more-controllable hours.

"It is an unfortunate circumstance that you can spend an hour with a patient treating them for diabetes and hypertension and make $100, or you can do Botox and make $2,000 in the same time," said Dr. Eric C. Parlette, 35, a dermatologist in Chestnut Hill, Mass., who chose his field because he wanted to perform procedures, like skin-cancer surgery and cosmetic treatments, while keeping regular hours and earning a rewarding salary.

Medical school professors and administrators say such discrepancies are dissuading some top students at American medical schools from entering fields, like family medicine, that manage the most prevalent serious illnesses. They are being replaced in part by graduates of foreign medical schools, some of whom return to their home countries to practice.

“We have a shortage in America of primary-care or family-type doctors,” said Dr. Joel M. Felner, a cardiology professor who is the associate dean for clinical education at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. Last year, the school enlarged its incoming class, hoping more students would specialize in the major diseases and preventative care, he said. “We do need dermatologists, but I am more worried about the really sick people and dermatologists aren’t taking care of them,” Dr. Felner said....

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/19/fashion/19beauty.html

[Warpy]

1. In a shallow country where people are judged by their appearance

and often never given a second chance to prove themselves if their appearance is out of the ordinary, these docs are important.

We're going to need a revolution in this country before people stop being so obsessed with appearance and doctors get back to their primary job of healing the sick.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

3. I agree.

I've always seen cosmetic surgery as a rational act on the part of people who make the choice based on the environment they are in and the benefits that accrue from it.

[Captain Angry]

2. Why cure when you can treat?

Cured people stop coming back to the office when they're well.

Treatments that wear off or expire are a continuous stream of income.

From a business standpoint, it's sustainable and predictable. From a health standpoint, it sucks big time.

[bluestateguy]

4. A lot of these students have crushing loans coming out of medical school

Their heart may tell them to work at a free clinic in the inner city, but their monthly bills are telling them that they may have to make some money first.

[Mojorabbit]

5. My hubby

is a board certified family practice doc. Lowest on the pay scale in relation to specialists like cardiologists and dermatologists. My BIL who works as a exec in a food service company makes more than my hubby does. Luckily he went into the field cause he wanted to help people.

[DeepModem Mom]

6. Thanks to your hubby, and others like him, Mojo -- from all of us! nt

[Stuckinthebush]

10. In terms of low pay, my doc-wife is even lower...

She is a psychiatrist working with indigent patients. She actually takes her "black bag" and goes under the bridges to administer meds.

I laugh and say to her, "You managed to find the absolutely lowest paying medical profession for a physician!" Her comment is always, "Yeah, but I love to go to work every morning."

It sounds like your husband and my wife would enjoy talking!

:hi:

[Mojorabbit]

11. No doubt

She sounds like a lovely person!

[Virginian]

12. How do the insurance companies treat him?

A couple of Docs I know would like to stop taking insurance completely and deal with patients purely on a cash basis.
I also read in the Washington Post last weekend that many doctors are reducing their patient load by charging a retainer to supplement what the insurance companies pay. They feel that is the only way they can give their patients adequate time and not miss symptoms or make rushed decisions on the proper course of treatment.
People are starting to notice that it is hard to find practices that are accepting new patients.

[SharonAnn]

13. Many appearance related things are paid by the patient. Insurance doesn't cover it.

So, the doctors deal with "cash only" patients much of the time.

The rest of the time they do deal with insurance related, medically necessary procedures.

[sharesunited]

7. If you're in it for the money,

I'd rather you weren't in it. Support medical school scholarship programs with mandatory post-graduate service conditions. Encourage more granular licensing than M.D., D.O., R.N. & L.P.N.

[DeepModem Mom]

8. Good ideas -- welcome to DU, sharesunited!

[juno jones]

9. Many years ago, I worked as a 'simulated patient' in a

medical training program (SIU med school, Spfld, IL) designed mostly to help hone communication and patient skills. I also taught female pelvic exams and pap smears to students with myself as the subject.

The students broke down three ways. About 33% were earnest in their calling and natural healers. A third were not so called, but game to try. The other third were in it for the money. I quit after a run-in with an entitled student of the latter persuasion who seemed to think that because I would allow myself to be 'open' in a gynecalogical way that I could be treated like a whore- a non-entity whose feelings did not matter to him. I reported his ass to his supervising teachers and walked away from the job, one I had been proud of, trained quite a bit for, and one that is quite necessary to hospital teaching departments.

Now I know where that bastard probably ended up.