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Warpy

(111,598 posts)

15. The average doc is looking at $250,000 in school debt

Tue Apr 29, 2014, 04:59 AM

Apr 2014

and more if he decides to specialize and undergo extensive training at low wages at a teaching hospital. Most of them now have to work for HMOs because there is just no way to pay that kind of debt while setting up and building a practice. If he doesn't slog along and see 3 times as many patients as he can safely see, he can get fired because he's not generating enough revenue.

Janitors don't have to worry about missing something and having somebody die and their relatives sue him. Part of the reason medicine is such a pressure cooker is because it's the one area where mistakes aren't tolerated.

Cleaning somebody's cut plug out of the drinking fountains is just a perk.

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How Being a Doctor Became the Most Miserable Profession [View all] eridani Apr 2014 OP

Ehhh...fuck it A HERETIC I AM Apr 2014 #1

Calling, schmalling Warpy Apr 2014 #2

No. Rod Beauvex Apr 2014 #3

Well, they have a lower risk of killing people when they run supermarkets Warpy Apr 2014 #6

The group usually left out of these lists of oppressed pipoman Apr 2014 #25

maybe that's why my "dr" was such a jerk to me... literally walked out of the room without dionysus Apr 2014 #9

At least my docs say "hold that thought a minute" Warpy Apr 2014 #12

New requirements Lonusca Apr 2014 #60

the doctor should be so lucky hfojvt Apr 2014 #11

The average doc is looking at $250,000 in school debt Warpy Apr 2014 #15

And that doesn't even consider... Bazinga Apr 2014 #19

It was late, or I'd have pointed out Warpy Apr 2014 #50

This message was self-deleted by its author COLGATE4 Apr 2014 #32

If I understand correctly, Doctors who work for certain medical groups are often expected hughee99 Apr 2014 #54

okay, not all doctors are self employed hfojvt Apr 2014 #55

Doctors certainly have more options than us. Isn't that what the op is about? hughee99 Apr 2014 #56

they also have more options hfojvt Apr 2014 #58

From the article, it sounds like doctors who want to use their education and training to help hughee99 Apr 2014 #59

actually it generally does hfojvt Apr 2014 #61

You seem to have it in your head that doctors are "paid by the piece" and get to set hughee99 Apr 2014 #62

5 - 10 minutes? Tracer Apr 2014 #27

5-10 minutes is normal from what I've seen A Little Weird Apr 2014 #29

5 - 10 minutes is about average for me too. riderinthestorm Apr 2014 #36

Who are you, Victor Newman? nt raccoon Apr 2014 #57

Those are the only ones I want to have as my doctor for sure. Assuming they are knowledgeable and uppityperson Apr 2014 #46

Physicians are a LOT more polite and respectful to both patients and to non-physicians healthcare Douglas Carpenter Apr 2014 #4

That's what they get for ignoring the highest aims of their profession. snot Apr 2014 #5

I agree fbc Apr 2014 #8

Many were protesting, contacting those in power, etc. I disagree with what you write as I know few uppityperson Apr 2014 #47

Indeed--some even got arrested n/t eridani Apr 2014 #53

yes. Tuesday Afternoon Apr 2014 #37

+1 uponit7771 Apr 2014 #42

very funny Daily Beast, very funny hfojvt Apr 2014 #7

no shit, talk about hyperbole! dionysus Apr 2014 #10

This is one profession that would benefit from more workers, lower pay, and fewer hours. reformist2 Apr 2014 #13

Glad someone mentioned that little fact.. pangaia Apr 2014 #31

That's changing Sgent Apr 2014 #40

Not quite ... GeorgeGist Apr 2014 #44

Boo hoo. n/t Alkene Apr 2014 #14

Academic medicine is a good deal Ex Lurker Apr 2014 #16

They are just like every other worker My Good Babushka Apr 2014 #17

The snarky answer...? Bazinga Apr 2014 #20

Why should we save doctors My Good Babushka Apr 2014 #21

I agree, all boats should rise. Bazinga Apr 2014 #22

I didn't mean to lash out like that My Good Babushka Apr 2014 #26

My doctor and I... sendero Apr 2014 #18

Who that isn't destitute doesn't have to pay? pipoman Apr 2014 #28

Medicaid, I think. nt grasswire Apr 2014 #52

This isn't from The Onion? 99Forever Apr 2014 #23

I've never met a poor doctor or doctor's wife. (P.S. Note it says "profession" and not "job.") WinkyDink Apr 2014 #24

Yep...High student loans.. pipoman Apr 2014 #30

My brother is a family practice physician - he's been out of school bullwinkle428 Apr 2014 #45

Oh, Boo-Hoo LynnTTT Apr 2014 #33

I trust no doctor sorefeet Apr 2014 #34

I live in a community full of medical doctors n2doc Apr 2014 #35

Another side. nolabear Apr 2014 #38

MBA rock Apr 2014 #39

They must have front-loaded their polling sample with congenitally unhappy providers. Aristus Apr 2014 #41

First, let's accept the author's premise that this is an actual problem. lumberjack_jeff Apr 2014 #43

My father was a doctor Blue_Tires Apr 2014 #49

How many times do I have to say it, Jeff. The AMA is a dusty old fart. hunter Apr 2014 #51

All the "altruistic" professions are being screwed. hunter Apr 2014 #48