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If your children want to become physicians, then encourage them
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December is a special month to reflect, celebrate and spend more time with our family and others close to us. Each year as we prepare the December issue of Orthopedics Today, I am inspired to write about how much we have to be grateful for as orthopedic surgeons and the privilege we share in the treatment of patients. This year, I have chosen to review our decision to become physicians.
I often hear a few colleagues in the doctors’ dining and locker rooms say they discourage their children from becoming physicians. These same few physicians often say, “I would never do this again if I had it to do over.” This is due in part to many physicians feeling underappreciated and overworked at times, not to mention increasingly frustrated with reimbursements. In addition, physicians face uncertainties in their future from increased overhead, hassle for authorizations, and new burdens and regulations in recordkeeping and other requirements.
However, I feel same the reasons that made us choose medicine as a career are the basis for encouraging interested, qualified and talented young people, including family members, to become physicians.
I am sure these same physicians were encouraged when they were making their decisions to enter medicine. In their minds, there were no second choices as to what they wanted to pursue. Their dedication and persistence motivated them to go through the qualifying and application processes, 4 years of medical school, 4 years to 5 years of residency and an additional 1-year to 2-year fellowship training for some physicians. They worked long hours and often had to place patient care issues and medical responsibilities before time with their families. And yet most of us who have endured this schedule believe that at the end of the day, it is still a privilege and worth all the necessary sacrifices to become a physician.
Douglas W. Jackson
Why have some physicians’ attitudes changed and now cause them to express negative feelings about becoming physicians? An attorney from Saginaw, Mich., in a Letter to the Editor of The Wall Street Journal wrote that his practice was largely involved in advising physicians. He summarized the negative feelings when he wrote, “Sadly, I now advise young folks who ask me about a medical career: If you’re smart enough to become a doctor, [then] you should be smart enough not to become a doctor.”
Reasons to become a physician
I strongly disagree with giving discouraging advice on this matter. I always encourage interested young people to become physicians and pursue their passions. There are still many good reasons to become a physician, and I review with them some reasons and motivations that made most physicians choose this profession.
At the top of the list is that medicine is a wonderful profession. It is one where you can repeatedly help and be of service to many people. The special role a physician has in healing and comforting patients is still inspiring. It means working and being directly involved in deeply meaningful human interactions. There are many chances to make a difference and not many professions can bring this type of personal satisfaction.
In addition, the profession demands and presents intellectual stimulation and requires a constant learning challenge to keep up with new procedures, types of drugs, approaches and frequent modifications in the diagnosis and treatment of common and new conditions. Most physicians chose medicine because they grew up admiring the physicians who treated their families. These physicians later served as role models and sources for encouragement when today’s physicians were initially considering a career in medicine.
Additional reasons to become an orthopedic surgeon include:
The privilege to treat and operate on other human beings with the potential to relieve pain and cure disease.
Most days, there is the opportunity to see and experience tangible results.
Most physicians wake up every morning and look forward to going to work, talking and interacting with their patients and colleagues. Every day brings new challenges to provide quality medical care.
Medicine offers the opportunity to develop and maintain expertise, with your opinions sought by patients and peers.
Medicine offers a versatility of opportunities. Physicians are involved in the treatment of patients, teaching, biotechnical and medically related research, working in and with industry, being an administrator and numerous other activities.
The profession has offered job security and opportunity to live and travel where one desires.
If a physician works hard, does well and has a highly ethical work habit, then he or she usually ascends to a position of influence and respect in his or her community.
Desire to help others
Physicians will most likely make less money in the future, but I do not believe an “anticipated income” should be the deciding factor in career selection. Hopefully, patient recognition and appreciation, as well as the feelings of accomplishment associated with being deeply involved with patients, play more important roles in the motivation of physicians.
Being a physician offers autonomy, respect and collegial relationships you develop in patient-centered care. In the end, the real reason to choose to become a physician is the desire to help others, which can be a real source of inner peace and happiness.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!