Benefits of OD over MD?

[RiCe BoY x 4 u]

What are the benefits of OD over MD?

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[ItsGavinC]

You could always look for replies to one of the ZILLIONS of other posts with the exact SAME topic you've already posted.

Seems like you want an easy way to get the title of "doctor".

Stop comparing OD to MD and you'll be quite a bit happier.

 

[Reality check]

benefits of OD over MD,
less stress- less responsibility- less schooling- much lower malpractice premiums-less respect- much much less $$$$$ Just about less of everything you can imagine lolololololol
If you want to work harder in life and enjoy the fruit of your labor $$$$$$$ to have a more comftable life -go MD and ophthalmology- if you're lucky enough to make it.
If you want mediocrity choose optometry- and trying paying off over $140,000 in debt with an OD where there isn't much growth as far as salaries go.
You'll remember me!
RC

 

[Richard_Hom]

Despite what you may hear, everywhere in healthcare you go, you will always face a "caste" system. Even if you graduate from medical school and go into ophthalmology, you will get "dissed" by other surgeons or by other specialists.

Dentists get "dissed" by other dentists or oral surgeons, podiatrists by orthopedic surgeons, O.D.'s by ophthalmologists, etc.

In my opinion, if you're not sure why you should go, then I recommend spending some time "shadowing" an optometrist to find out . To each person, different values will appeal to different people and your investigation might be enlightening before you spend $150k on either.

 

[Eyegirl2k7]

How lucky are we? RC has returned...

 

[rpames]

I know I can stop my candle light vigil.

 

[exmike]

Originally posted by Richard_Hom
Even if you graduate from medical school and go into ophthalmology, you will get "dissed" by other surgeons or by other specialists.

Are you KIDDING? Ophthalmology is one of the most desireable specialties. They get worshiped!

 

[Richard_Hom]

Yes, it is a desirable specialty but that doesn't mean they get worshipped by other physicians. It's desirable because of the income level expected rather than the respect they get from colleagues. I don't care if its envy or resentment, other physicians just don't feel particularly lovey-dovey around them.

Originally posted by exmike
Are you KIDDING? Ophthalmology is one of the most desireable specialties. They get worshiped!

Regards,
Richard

 

[Primate]

Ophtho and Dermatology (derisively called "dermaholiday" by many non-dermies) are indeed difficult to get into and desirable from a $$:hours standpoint. However, neither field is known for the respect garnered from other physicians.

Personally, and getting to the original post, I think one needs to do what is personally rewarding, not what others might think is worthy of worship. If that happens to be ophtho, well...

P

 

[Andrew_Doan]

Originally posted by Richard_Hom
Even if you graduate from medical school and go into ophthalmology, you will get "dissed" by other surgeons or by other specialists.

Yes you do get "dissed"... UNTIL they get a retinal detachment, glaucoma, or ocular trauma. Then they suddenly gain an extreme respect for their vision and for the field of ophthalmology.

People don't respect the field nor do they respect their vision until it goes south. However, it only takes one bad ocular trauma or diagnosis to make those who "diss" into individuals who are grateful for the expertise and care that ophthalmologists provide.

All my patients (physicians and non-physicians) are extremely thankful.

 

[Richard_Hom]

Dr. Doan,

Great response.

I also feel that it's has to be personal. Unfortunately, when it comes to capital and personnel budget, operating room time, operating room personal, bonus, choosing a chief of department or chief of service, who specialty should operate on what part of the body or even getting preferred parking it gets awful pretty fast. It's in budget meetings where I have seen the worst behavior and the name calling is astounding.

I am sure on a one-on-one basis these individuals will be darlings, but put earning power or prestige on the line and that friendship disappears pretty fast.

I apologize for my cynicsm, but I just have to smile to myself when I see this childish behavior over and over again.

Regards,
Richard

 

[cpw]

it's amazing what people will do for that perfect parking space isn't it??

 

[Richard_Hom]

Dear list,

Of course, the qualification I must make is that I'm not talking about any of the folks I work with now. I'm still reserving judgement on them at this time.

Originally posted by cpw
it's amazing what people will do for that perfect parking space isn't it??

Richard

 

[badaboom]

Originally posted by Richard_Hom


Dentists get "dissed" by other dentists or oral surgeons, podiatrists by orthopedic surgeons, O.D.'s by ophthalmologists, etc.

true... we often times diss those that took MCAT and applied med skools before dental skool. I know some peeps in my class keep quiet about their MCAT/med skool applying past.

little respect for these peeps... they're not being "true" about becoming a dentist.

I know for a fact that some go thru the "back door" route by going thru 4 yrs of dental skool, then another 6 yrs of oral surgery program to get their MD.

"keeping-it-real" oral surgeons call it a "defection" when a oral surgery resident goes into anesthesiology instead.

 

[PublicHealth]

Originally posted by Primate
Ophtho and Dermatology (derisively called "dermaholiday" by many non-dermies) are indeed difficult to get into and desirable from a $$:hours standpoint. However, neither field is known for the respect garnered from other physicians.

Personally, and getting to the original post, I think one needs to do what is personally rewarding, not what others might think is worthy of worship. If that happens to be ophtho, well...

P

Respect don't mean squat when you've got bills to pay -- not to mention golf to play.

 

[Kovox]

Originally posted by Reality check
-less respect- much much less $$$$$

It hurts my head when people think that other healthcare professions are 'less respected' than a 'MD.' Respect is earned from how you treat your patients, not what letters are behind your name. Heck, there's a physician in my area whose reputation is now known as the molestor. In fact, I'm one of the interns who's organizing the papers for his prosecution. Most people didn't beleive the he would do such a thing, well that changed when the 16 year old girl he molested punched him in his face, and walked out of his office crying. Because of what he did, most of the people in the community are calling male physicians as hormonal pigs....who entered the profession to get some a** because they couldn't without a MD. This is really unfortunate because there are some really good doctors out there.

A profession does not define you, you define what a profession should be. Respect isn't automatically earned because you have a few letters after your name...it's more like, who are you without those letters?

And in terms of how much a certain profession makes, it really depends on the individual. My uncle is an OD in Beverly Hills. He has only designer glasses at his office. He makes about 250k a year minimum.

 

[r_salis]

Originally posted by Kovox
A profession does not define you, you define what a profession should be. Respect isn't automatically earned because you have a few letters after your name...it's more like, who are you without those letters?

Excellent words of wisdom -- well said.

 

[idoc]

So, you are a law clerk/law student/lawyer and you're nosing around an OD forum to tell your story of "this guy I know...". We all know that there are perverts and scum in every field, but it's funny to hear this from a lawyer type. I guess at your law school they haven't taught you to keep the specifics of the case confidential until the trial. I'm a 4th year med student and I know better than that. Nice try though. Maybe you should see your uncle to get fitted for some glasses. Then you could read your law books and get a real education.

 

[Kovox]

Originally posted by idoc
We all know that there are perverts and scum in every field, but it's funny to hear this from a lawyer type.

So lawyer types can't share experiences but other types can?

Originally posted by idoc
I guess at your law school they haven't taught you to keep the specifics of the case confidential until the trial.

Specifics of a case would be

1. Name of the doctor
2. Name of patient
3. Location of doctor's office
4. Location of patient's home

Things that would identify the clients in the case....

Originally posted by idoc
I'm a 4th year med student and I know better than that. Nice try though.

4th year medical student? Um so. You got into medical school and so did I. I'm just doing a dual degree as well. 4th year student? So what, you're just 3 years ahead of me. Besides, I wouldn't care if you were Chief of Surgery at St. Johns Hopsital.

Originally posted by idoc
Maybe you should see your uncle to get fitted for some glasses. Then you could read your law books and get a real education.

So sensitive. Now if you would re-read my post, I did not say ALL physicians did this. In fact, I even mentioned that there are several great doctors out there. Did you take the Princeton review course for the MCATs.... because they emphasized RTFQ - "Read the f*ckin question" or in this case, the post.

So you're a medical student right? Okay, idoc (eye doc? IM doc? Internal medicine?) what are you doing in the OD forum?So I'm into medicine and I'm into law, I don't see anything wrong with reading and posting threads in different specialities.

Actually, I think it's smart to see how potential colleagues would react to issues and what their general behavior is. After all I will be dealing with them.

Seriously though, CHILL OUT. Being 4th year...hrm residency is next eh? You're doing rotations and clerkships now. Waiting to get accepted into a residency program and bam, you read a post from a lawyer type and you instantly think "#(*&# malpractice lawyers, I work so hard and I get my MD and they are the ones that screw me over and give me #)(%*)" NEWS FLASH, there are also Defense Malprac Lawyers as well.

Dude, seriously CHILL OUT, go out, don't be so uptight and take everything so personal.