When I play chess, unless I have a move that immediately tactically sound, I play for strategy. You have to maximize all of your advantages to your advantage, or else you get exactly what you deserve, often an embarrassing loss.
Maybe, but I think the analogies are misplaced. I'm learning to play chess in this case. Not actually playing. I'm ascertaining all the information out there, good bad worthwhile. How can I know what a good residency is without knowing all that is or is not available out there?
And one would be surprised at the number of DOs in cardiology. UPMC alone has 6 or 7 out of 20 or so who are DOs in the previous year.
Its not really here and there in terms of DO matches- though it can appear that way- many regional programs have regular DO placements around 30-40% of their total group number every year. that is a consistent and relatively high number- you have to consider that most of the DOs interested in fellowships go through the DO track to begin with. Its not just about selection but self selection as well.
I know my posts don't paint a full picture of my intentions but this is another issue I have with comments students like myself make on these forums. What I mean is- its important for us to learn as much as possible here. There are major changes taking place and the effects are broad and substantive.
Money is not everything but with so many physicians of previous generations and not just mine choosing ROAD specialties or stating compensation and burnout have affected them extensively - not discussing such topics about money and lifestyle openly only seeds the depression and anger that has plagued like weeds each generation of physicians. This is not unique to the "millennials" but rather the physicians of all ages- is it any wonder that I routinely hear doctors several decades older claiming that medicine is not what it used to be and the salaries are terrible. Who else but your age group sets the stage for us to consider the work opportunities available to us.
Medicine is not just about sacrifice- and its becoming as tired a trope as possible to insult the "naive and gold digging" students who are only in it for the money. There is no reason to become defensive. Its important to ascertain as much information as possible no matter how unattractive it may be.
The reason why the "priorities" appear twisted on these forums isn't simply because we only care about money. its also because these are the questions that are hardest to ask in public or generally research. Its much easier for me to identify what career I want based on its humanitarian and intellectual appeal. its much harder for me to ask a physician- even my mentor- how much a Cardiologist or any other doctor makes without broaching obvious personnel and social etiquette- etiquette that doesnt exactly have boundaries online.
