tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post3634068650922044246..comments2024-02-18T01:56:38.508-06:00Comments on M.D.O.D.: Reasons I'm Leaving Emergency Medicine (number 6)911DOChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06466669111561150174noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-85602014296652256212008-08-14T16:00:00.000-05:002008-08-14T16:00:00.000-05:00I'm happy to hear you're not truly leaving medicin...I'm happy to hear you're not truly leaving medicine and am pulling for your success. Just canceled my reservation for the hospital anger management class. Congrats for getting out from under the man's thumb.PGYxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04326999545370162455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-63612617492664324642008-08-14T15:05:00.000-05:002008-08-14T15:05:00.000-05:00dear medicine girl, i have big plans. if they work...dear medicine girl, <BR/><BR/>i have big plans. if they work out only partially then it's still good. i will be happy to work in medicine for less money and be in control of my little cage. more as it unfolds, and yes, i am going to continue to practice (but not for the man).911DOChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466669111561150174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-75504140934365486012008-08-14T14:54:00.000-05:002008-08-14T14:54:00.000-05:00What do you plan to do on your own? Whatever it is...What do you plan to do on your own? Whatever it is, I hope you'll find satisfaction and do some good.PGYxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04326999545370162455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-49700056323310507712008-08-14T08:25:00.000-05:002008-08-14T08:25:00.000-05:00dear medicine girl, i think those of us currently ...dear medicine girl, <BR/>i think those of us currently IN the system are merely trying to make as much money as fast as we can so we can get out. i think this is a violation of our hippocratic oath because we are doing it in a manifestly dangerous system and we should all march on washington. it won't happen so i'm not going to commit malpractice by continuing to push the sinking ship. perhaps i will have success on my own... i hope so. if i do i hope it will encourage others to sever ties with the thousands of paper monkeys who ride on our backs.911DOChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466669111561150174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-8452013630268177662008-08-13T22:37:00.000-05:002008-08-13T22:37:00.000-05:00Oh yeah, almost forgot -- Didn't realize peopl...Oh yeah, almost forgot -- Didn't realize people don't know the ship is sinking. How the hell could they miss it? Or is it just that I read too much WSJ health blog & MDOD? ;-) <BR/><BR/>Actually, several docs told me in 2000 that they would never pursue medicine if given the chance to do it over again and that I should do something else with my life if I wanted to be satisfied. They said many smart people in medicine were waking up to the fact that as smart people, they could do something with their lives that brought them happiness or money or at least a lot less bullshit. They told me the system was broken and that it would get worse before getting better. They were certainly right about the getting worse part. Still waiting for the upswing. <BR/><BR/>A superstar anesthesiologist said the same thing to me about not doing it again -- yesterday. Then I see young guys like you getting out so early in the game. And read about how all the new nurses are getting in by lottery and aren't always the "cream of the crop." The only thing that makes me want to shove my [pathetic little] fist through a wall is incompetence. So I'm probably screwed and should just reserve my spot in the hospital anger management course now. <BR/><BR/>It scares me that the system is so broken but may escape repair until people start dying of things that never should have killed them.PGYxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04326999545370162455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-11562252621410479922008-08-13T21:52:00.000-05:002008-08-13T21:52:00.000-05:00I'd like to subspecialize in NMM/OMM (neuromus...I'd like to subspecialize in NMM/OMM (neuromusculoskeletal medicine / osteopathic manipulative medicine). I love all things neuromusculoskeletal & have spent more time doing OMM on patients/classmates/nurses/residents & taking continuing ed courses than any student I know. My mentor has a very successful cash-only practice & I'm fairly certain I could do something similar provided my skills continue to improve at a steady rate. <BR/><BR/>I'm less clear about my residency choice b/c I have zero desire to treat every cold that walks thru the door (scratch Family Med & Peds) and PM&R w/a musculoskeletal focus is pretty procedure intensive. If I didn't love manual medicine so much I'd do EM or EM/IM. I super-performed in all the IM sub-sections on USMLE Step 1 & at least like *thinking* about IM concepts (no desire to be a hospital internist). I enjoyed my time in the Peds ER almost as much as I enjoy manual medicine (and managed to do some OMM there working under both DOs & MDs). Haven't been in the adult ER yet, but I've been told my personality fits the specialty, whatever that means. <BR/><BR/>Longer answer than I'd guess you expected or wanted.PGYxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04326999545370162455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-38456510329627560722008-08-13T15:26:00.000-05:002008-08-13T15:26:00.000-05:00dear medicine girl, take heart, when people actual...dear medicine girl, <BR/>take heart, when people actually realize the ship is sinking and people start dying then our jobs and our training will again be valuable. i give it five years. alternatively, if the government 'fixes it' then we will take bankers hours and not work as hard for about the same money but more people will die needlessly. <BR/><BR/>still interested in what you plan to do.911DOChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466669111561150174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-89488371887675110782008-08-13T14:26:00.000-05:002008-08-13T14:26:00.000-05:003rd year student. Sorry if my comment about the in...3rd year student. Sorry if my comment about the interns confused you. As a student, my total work hours are reasonable & I endure much less (& less venomous) yelling than the interns, who are responsible for doing/knowing more.<BR/><BR/>My near-despair comes from knowing that schedule-wise, it gets worse from here for quite a while. And yes, I know that the whole concept of medicine as a sinking ship should be additional reason for despair, but right now my shift work/sleep deprivation wins any contest for my attention.PGYxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04326999545370162455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-50322710400565741582008-08-13T14:12:00.000-05:002008-08-13T14:12:00.000-05:00dear medicine girl, are you a 3rd year student or ...dear medicine girl, <BR/>are you a 3rd year student or resident? if a student then what do you think you are going to do? my simple advice for residency is to find a program that is at least moderately well respected AND has residents who are smiling. that's it. <BR/><BR/>peace.911DOChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466669111561150174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-42373732904819145732008-08-13T13:59:00.000-05:002008-08-13T13:59:00.000-05:00Thanks! I saved & labeled your advice in my fu...Thanks! I saved & labeled your advice in my fully searchable Gmail account. I'll revisit it when it's time to get a job. For all the b.s. I endure as a student, it's a thousand times less (at least) than what the docs have on their plate. At times it seems like docs are human shields for students.PGYxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04326999545370162455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-81260555585228624132008-08-13T13:42:00.000-05:002008-08-13T13:42:00.000-05:00dear medicine girl, yes. whatever you do, don't lo...dear medicine girl, <BR/>yes. whatever you do, don't look at the money when you sign. look at 1. are the books open? 2. do they stagger their shifts? 3. how many docs have they lost in the prior 5 years. 4. if they have lost any docs contact those docs and find out why they left. 5. if you are offered a position where you are 'all nights' until the next hire and can then be all days then strongly consider it. it would be worth it. 6. yes, it is truly important to join a 'fully democratic group'... not a 'benign dictatorship' or anything other than a fully democratic group. <BR/><BR/>best.911DOChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466669111561150174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-56261805258658022652008-08-13T13:05:00.000-05:002008-08-13T13:05:00.000-05:00Any sanity-preserving tips for someone still insid...Any sanity-preserving tips for someone still inside the gate? Tips other than "Get out while you can," I mean. <BR/><BR/>I just started my 3rd year and feel something close to despair when I realize my current minimally tolerable schedule is nothin' compared to the poor interns' lot (not to mention how much yelling they have to endure).<BR/><BR/>My hours aren't too bad, but alternating between 7am, 3pm, & 11pm start times is rough, as is early lecture after getting home around midnight the night before. Next month I do 12-14+ hour days but at least they all start at the same time.<BR/><BR/>I'm a solid sleeper yet even I have trouble getting good sleep on a warm sunny day. I don't feel refreshed after sleep, have taken to sleeping in my free time to try to catch up, & feel my normally patient & good-natured self slipping away. I dream about sleep even in my sleep. <BR/><BR/>Thanks if you have any helpful advice.PGYxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04326999545370162455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-36407372024255640172008-08-07T05:02:00.000-05:002008-08-07T05:02:00.000-05:00i have never worked yet.. hopefully in the future ...i have never worked yet.. hopefully in the future since i'm still a student.. but not as a doctor... anyway, why do you have to travel back and forth to london and atlanta??? i'd just love to be in your shoes. :Dcl-laR7eT+3https://www.blogger.com/profile/14463695644235940056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-78500491262543500612008-07-31T20:25:00.000-05:002008-07-31T20:25:00.000-05:00It has become too difficult to continue.It has become too difficult to continue.911DOChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466669111561150174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-53789988083488462342008-07-31T19:15:00.000-05:002008-07-31T19:15:00.000-05:00I worked the graveyard shift in airline reservatio...I worked the graveyard shift in airline reservations when I was in college. It was not too bad, the most annoying part of that shift were the heavy breathing insomniacs and assorted weirdos.<BR/><BR/>Overall, because it was always the same shift, your body eventually got used to napping during the day and being awake at night. Also, it was just me, I was single. <BR/> <BR/>In your case, the switching of day/night shifts must be quite exhausting and also, how do you maintain a family life?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-69861124039368165622008-07-31T02:18:00.000-05:002008-07-31T02:18:00.000-05:00I'll often switch back and forth from days to nigh...I'll often switch back and forth from days to nights 3 or 4 times in one pay periods (2 weeks). Guess what I do on my days off? That's right! Weird sleep. My favorite move is a couple of day shifts with no days off then a couple of night shifts, one day off then a couple of day shifts...Kill me now<BR/><BR/>One fellow day-night rotator just quit for that very reason...<BR/><BR/>Hm, it's 2:16 am and I have to be to work in the morning. Gee. Isn't that special.Nurse Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06408755992926959084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-66428716267266129312008-07-31T01:40:00.000-05:002008-07-31T01:40:00.000-05:00Hey wouldja look at that. I'm not just a disembodi...Hey wouldja look at that. I'm not just a disembodied voice of dissent and rancor. I actually have a face.<BR/><BR/>Sorry Etotheipi, not naked and not faking hotness.Amelia Ameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17296224743117560163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-16212078152933076232008-07-31T01:38:00.000-05:002008-07-31T01:38:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Amelia Ameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17296224743117560163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-60988904358697583272008-07-30T00:55:00.000-05:002008-07-30T00:55:00.000-05:00When I was working, I loved night work. I'd work 3...When I was working, I loved night work. I'd work 3 nights/week. A 12,a 12 then a 13 (of course, that was if we didn't have something come running in the door 15 minutes before closing, spewing nastiness all over the floor) and then I was off for 4 days. The trick for me was when I got off on Wednesday morning, I wouldn't go to bed. I'd spend the day doing whatever I needed to do and usually it was a very productive day because I was fine as long as I was moving so I didn't stop all day. Then, I'd go to bed between 7 and 8 wednesday night and be up at 6 on Thursday moring and be good to go the rest of the week. <BR/><BR/>Maybe it helps that I'm naturally a night person. Hell, it's 1:50 now and if I didn't have to get up with 2 kids in the morning I'd be good to go for another 4 hours or so. <BR/><BR/>ER work, even in the animal ER, is made for those of us with a fucked up internal clock. Ideally, my morning begins at 4 or 5 pm and my days are 30 hours long (18 awake, 12 sleeping). <BR/><BR/>Why can't human ERs do non-rotating schedules? Is it just a matter of not having enough willing docs to work all night shifts? Not enough coverage over-all?June Cleaverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599042785115490797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-26258424031876890012008-07-29T23:34:00.000-05:002008-07-29T23:34:00.000-05:00I ditched the nights, but still jack off like a ca...I ditched the nights, but still jack off like a caged monkey. I prefered the people who work nights. The nurses tend to be younger (aka hotter) less bitchy, and the patients generally sicker. My coworkers in EMS were also less bitchy and whiny. But I'm just not a night person no matter how I try.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-43701312612790243092008-07-29T18:00:00.000-05:002008-07-29T18:00:00.000-05:00911: I'm worried for you: Maybe you should stop...911: I'm worried for you: Maybe you should stop using the humble douchebag as an invective, lest you be reincarnated as one.Devorrahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14542045173559671539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-81896342810653046622008-07-29T17:57:00.000-05:002008-07-29T17:57:00.000-05:00I used to do computer operations in a fertilizer p...I used to do computer operations in a fertilizer plant at night during my college years, so I know what you mean a little bit. It was creepy: I was afraid the ghosts of people poisoned by JR Simplot would return to git me.<BR/> And there's the sex difference thing--it never once occurred to me to masturbate. Hmmm.Devorrahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14542045173559671539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-17291841981312123982008-07-29T16:15:00.000-05:002008-07-29T16:15:00.000-05:00Not that I'm a doctor, but rolling shifts work jus...Not that I'm a doctor, but rolling shifts work just fine for me. But then my natural circadian rhythym is apparently based on a day that is 31hours long or something.<BR/><BR/>For 2 years I worked 2 graveyard, 2 swing, 1 day, 2 off. I liked it, since it made my weekend 16hrs longer than typical. Changing shifts every week is OK, but every day or 2 is better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-4837318933196136242008-07-29T15:52:00.000-05:002008-07-29T15:52:00.000-05:00AAARRRRGGGHHH! I knew there was a reason for that...AAARRRRGGGHHH! I knew there was a reason for that hospital hand washing policy.Amelia Ameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17296224743117560163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-37540926459474450092008-07-29T14:37:00.000-05:002008-07-29T14:37:00.000-05:00As far as I know it's a wash, so I box the clown e...As far as I know it's a wash, so I box the clown every time I go in to work. <BR/><BR/>CATshrodingers cathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04020541322469047041noreply@blogger.com