It really depends on whether being "the doctor" matters to you. I'm not ashamed to say...It mattered to me...so I went the MD route. Being a doctor is so much more than just working with patients. It (almost) becomes your identity. I'm proud of my MD. I proud to say I'm a doctor. I'm proud to *be* the doctor. I love *not* being the NP, the PA, or the RN in the ED or clinic. It's cool to "help people" and all that good stuff. But...for me, it was about...*me.*

And the 'feeling' I get being the doctor, outweighs the drawbacks.

But...I would *never* EVER go into primary care!!

So...I guess my post doesn't really help you much afterall.

"general frustration over our "education" system of residency."
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Gwenovere could you be so kind as to elaborate on what you mean. I'm really interested.

I don't want to poison you with bitterness... it's just the same old scutwork, call, paperwork, hours, etc problems

Don't worry about poisoning me my friend.
Actually if I could find an organization of women (and men too maybe) dedicated to changing the old culture of medicine and postgraduate training I would be in and maybe even seriously consider staying in medicine.
I was a Psyche resident for over a year before I quit and I already had my thesis marked out from day one..."The effect of present medical residency/postgrad on residents family life, physical and mental health and general life satisfaction"
I was told that this would be a toughie.
Anyway I quit before I could actually start in earnest my research, I was actually at the Lit. Review stage.
I will preach until I die, I believe, that I do not understand why the training of doctors has to 4 or howmanysoever years of HELL!!!!
It is not logical and studies that I have read a lot of which were done is Australia and I think NZ and some in Britain, show that the present way in which postgrad training of doctors is carried out is not healthy!
My voice is small and I am one, but I will say it every chance I get.

so how did it turn out? did you ever get out of debt? what do you work in instead?

I am at the point of walking now and am interested to hear your point of view.

I too would like to change the system... but I think that it is impossible to do from the inside... maybe impossible period.

Well I'm not out of debt, I just started a diary so there's a bit more info there but
I am making about 1400 dollars US per month down from $2000 while in residency.
I've got about $30,000 debt (student loans)which at the rate i'm paying back I'll never finish paying but I'm not worried, working on it from another angle.
I'm starting private practice as well which in Jamaica you only need to be licensed i.e. med school +2yr internship, to do. That might be changing soon tho.
The thing is I'd never go back.
Not in my present state of mind.
I work in a rural area that reminds me so much of where I grew up, the people are REAL :yes:
I live with my fiance who is also a doctor and who is doing pretty well financially so we're alright.
I was so stressed out during residency.
At times when I got called at 4 in the am after falling asleep at around 2 , called for an attempted suicide who took 10 panadol I'd be like WTF
then to go home and get ready and come back for class at 7:30 am...man that was too much.
i was miserable, I kept wondering WHY THE HELL AM I DOING THIS TO MYSELF!!!!
I decided to get out or become a miserable impossible B!tch.
So here I am not completely content, looking to quit medicine altogether but better.
Have you ever thought of a career in Public health, the money probably is not as good but an MPH can take you places and u guys have the CDC that has all but slammed the door shut on us IMG.
Also there's Micro B.
If I stay in Medicine and that's a big IF, I'd have to be doing something with no calls and minimal or no patient pressure.

wow... yup what a story... I can totally identify. especially the bogus "suicide" calls at 2 am.

No, I am not thinking of a career in public health. that would mean more education. and I am not interested in adding on any more degrees or debt.

if I get out of this... I will just get out. I don't see any way of salvaging it. I am really anti-administration at this point and don't want anything to do with the "system" or something where you work with lots of people over and around you and with little autonomy.

with the debt... people say that I should stay in the system til I can pay it off... and only quit later... but that's would be at least another 10 years. I'm over 30... so that's not an option for me.

I'm more inclined to just earn $7 an hour doing some little low stress job I could have gotten right out of high school. and not bother to ever own a house, etc.

so for you... if you quit, how will the bills ever get paid off? will you just do as much as you can... or will your spouse pay it? I understand though that spouses can not be held legally responsible for school debt of the other... except in special circumstances.

Well as for the Student loan I've got a limited time in which to pay it off, one of my options is to refinance.
like I said i'm starting private practice, it's a little different from what I've heard it's like in the US, not as demanding, no hospital work and it pays really well.
I too am seriously considering whether I really want to be employed again or just do my own thing.
The climate here is kinda ripe for entrepeneurship and I was thinking of opening a stationary or fabric store.
There are days when I feel like quitting NOW!!!
but not as often as when I was a resident.
because we are a developing country further education may not cost me anything or much as I would be likely part or fully sponsored by the government or PAHO and be on paid study leave
But then what??
What of a family and all that.
Anyway We'll see.
What is your plan for a job though?

for a job... not really sure...
maybe you'll laugh. but I would even consider manual labor at this point. animal care or such.

I'd probably not do anything medicine related... cause then I'd have to constantly address why I decided not to practice.

another consideration.. my SO is an international... so maybe I'll just get a small time job in another country if we stay together and move from the US

question for you...
so what are the negatives about opening a store
and quitting medicine?

well negatives let's see:
1. wouldn't be a REAL doctor anymore :rolleyes:
2. Startup costs...incurring more debt etc.
3. Might not work out
4. If we decide to move early on I can't take my store with me, but then since I plan to branch out, later on that would not be a problem.

That's about it.
So where are you planning to move to?
Interesting.
Manual labour is great, my ancestors even my parents were farmers. For a small amount more training you could do other stuff like make stuff or landscaping or some such.
Now you don't laugh but actually farming small scale is not a bad idea.
There is a large market for organic foods.
I might dabble in some spice farming myself, vanilla for instance.