Practice Perks

Dr. McDreamy

I have to be honest, I get a little down on occasion when I read about some of the recent depressing prospects of healthcare: the new healthcare reform bill, the new Medicare pay-cuts for physicians, the challenges of practicing in primary care, being overworked, accruing a large medical school debt, etc. If you become a doctor thinking that it will be as glamorous as the recent episode of Grey's Anatomy, you have quite a surprise coming your way. 

I recently came across a rather refreshingly positive article from an issue of the Physicians Practice magazine regarding the “Top 10 Reasons to Be Happy you’re a Doctor.” I need a little break from all the madness sometimes in order to remind myself of all the reasons I chose this great and rewarding profession every time I start to feel overwhelmed.

Here is what the article lists as their “Top 10 Reasons” to be super stoked you became a doctor:

10. You get to do cool things most people will never have the chance to do: …no matter what your specialty, you are critical to furthering the life spans of your patients.
9. Your medical training prepared you for a successful life: ...You’re also likely to be a good decision maker simply because you must do it constantly in situations where the stakes can be high.
8. You relieve more than just physical pain: …never doubt the effect you’ve had on people who survive and thrive simply because you bothered to listen.
7. You have influence: …Just by virtue of your profession, you earn respect in your community…
6. You have actual job security: …the recession has hit every sector, including healthcare. But even employed docs who lose a job don’t stay out of work for long…
5. You’re free to move about the country: …you can decide to work virtually anywhere you want.
4. You can diagnose yourself. (Ok, but this could be good or bad as you can imagine)
3. You’re never bored: …Physicians have great stories.
2. You’re always in vogue: No matter how the fashions may change, lab coats and scrubs never go out of style…the coat still carries the cache of being the uniform of the folks people trust with their health… (A bit of a stretch, but still rather humorous)
1. You make a difference: …you still have a job that provides a genuine service to the public…

And I decided to throw in a few of my own:

• There are always others yearning to tap into your brain and extract your knowledge: The residents on Grey’s Anatomy don’t have much time to study in between their sexual flings and high drama, but in reality, there are numerous eager beavers willing to learn what you can teach them. You can help mold these future doctors who will be taking care of you and your family some day if you so choose.

• You can look out for your own family and friends: Your breadth of knowledge is a gift you can freely give to your loved ones when they are in need (whether you want to or not). It’s great to know that I can relieve some of Aunt Agnes’ anxiety when she shows me that lipoma on her left flank at our next family reunion (If you’ve ever seen the movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” that is exactly what my family is like).

• You get to be center of attention at all Grey’s Anatomy parties: Somehow all my medical-show-obsessed friends think I have extra knowledge on how two patients can survive, let alone be conversing with each other, with a five feet pole invading their respective abdomens. The answer: they can’t -- It’s a TV show! But it’s still fun to see the world obsessed with so many shows centered on what you do for a living, albeit it far from the daily truths.

• Rare Perks: Did you know there’s a “Doctors Loan” for home mortgages? 10% down payment, rather than the 20%. No joke. Ok, this is off topic…and no, I have no ties whatsoever to the loan industry.

Now, if there only truly was a real Dr. McDreamy… sigh (Since we are on the topic of perks).

What would you like to add to the list? C’mon, you know this profession totally rocks! (Just nod, yes...)