Is it worth it to become a docotor these days?

Question

You see so many doctors in the phone book, just like attorneys. Do doctors these days make good money and have a good job market?

Answer 1

If you just want to make money, then no you shouldn't be a doctor. There are many other well paid professions out there that are much easier.

If you want a rewarding profession, one that you can be proud to get up every day and go do, then yes you should be a doctor.

Answer 2

Doctors are still one of the best paid professions out there. The salaries are not a high as the once were, but it is anticipated that they may rise as the population ages, provided there are no more medicare funding cuts. It is also predicted that there is an impending shortage of physicians for the same reason.

Doctors as a whole are more frustrated now than ever before.

Many of the decisions that they made in the past are over-ruled or outright taken away by insurance companies.

Malpractice is more out of control than ever for several reasons. One of causes is outrageous litigation. The other is due to gouging by mal-practice insurance companies who are required to make a profit (their revenue comes from premiums paid by doctors and by investing a strategic reserve against catastrophic loss - so when the market goes sour, premiums go up).

Physicians are also troubled by the need to crack through the day and see as many patients as possible to keep their salaries from shrinking. Most physicians would love to spend more time with their patients and explore all of the avenues that lead to a happy, healthy patient, but can't since they are limited to 15 mins including paperwork.

While the population as a whole is more educated about their health than ever before, physicians are still troubled by poor patient compliance with medication and life style changes (exercise, seat belt use, quitting smoking, risky behavor, obesity, alcohol and drug abuse).

The profession also requries a significant investment of time. 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school and 3-10 years of residency (+/- fellowship). The typical work week is still over 60 hours with some topping 80 hours or more as an attending (I won't mention what happens in residency - but offcially they are limited to an average 80 hour work-week). So lifestyle is a concern of many (would be/current) physicians.

Also be prepared. The new mantra is that the learning never stops. It is estimated that 5 years after one leaves medical school 25% of what you learned will have changed. The progress is rampant and sorely needed, but also unrelenting. Don't think that you can rest on your laurels after medical school is over.

Two words:
School loans. The average physcian accumulated $75,000 to $100,000
in debt even with grants and family contributions. Some will top $250,000 or more in debt.

But that's all the negatives.

Physicians also still maintain a high respect with the public. While this is not as high as it once was, and several spectacular events have chipped away at the respect, they are still highly respected.

As noted the salary, while not what is was, is still healthy.

There are not other job in the world where you can make that much of difference in someone's life (ok, ok nurses are right up there too).
The (uncommon) moments where you impact someone's life in a way that noone else can, make it a job with the greatest rewards.

The end answer is a question: are the benefts worth it to you? If you are not sure, make some contacts and ask if you can shadow a physician or help out in their office.

Don't go into the profession just for the money. You will hate it. Go into because you want to work hard, make a difference, and that you genuinely give a damn about people. Your patients will know and apprecate it.

Answer 3

Depends on the field and location you go to. In some places you stand the chance of making more money b/c a particular specialty is in high demand so much so that they will pay your med school off to get you to come practice. Some docs pass that option and go to more highly populated areas to make more money. Mainly location and reputation, but they are definitely making money.

Answer 4

It really depends on what field you get in to and how good you are at your job. Good ones, of course, make quite a bit of money. If you are just looking to get into it for the money, the I would suggest not doing it because it doesn't seem like your interest lies in medicine. You need to really love what you're learning to get the grades you need to make it to and through med school.

Answer 5

Of course, why would having there names in the phone book along with many others doesn't mean there losing business. In fact there getting customers by advertising.

Answer 6

doctors are in NO way "just like attorneys"

Answer 7

THye indeed make more money and are filthy rich