Comments for Ali Binazir http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/abinazir Meanderings over heaven, earth and mind Mon, 14 May 2012 17:17:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on Why you should not go to medical school — a gleefully biased rant by Ali B http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/abinazir/2005/05/23/why-you-should-not-go-to-medical-school-a-gleefully-biased-rant/comment-page-2/#comment-14159 Ali B Mon, 14 May 2012 17:17:22 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/abinazir/2005/05/23/why-you-should-not-go-to-medical-sch#comment-14159 Sangeeta: Ten fingers, ten toes, a tolerance for pain, and a complete lack of ego. Sangeeta: Ten fingers, ten toes, a tolerance for pain, and a complete lack of ego.

]]> Comment on Why you should not go to medical school — a gleefully biased rant by Ali B http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/abinazir/2005/05/23/why-you-should-not-go-to-medical-school-a-gleefully-biased-rant/comment-page-2/#comment-14158 Ali B Mon, 14 May 2012 17:13:43 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/abinazir/2005/05/23/why-you-should-not-go-to-medical-sch#comment-14158 PT is a hugely rewarding profession -- my sister is one. And, I gotta tell ya, it chafes her that she's just as smart as the docs, and she makes X amount less than them, and they call all the shots, etc etc. Then again, she's never been a doc, so I'm sure there'd be something to groan about in that position, too. The point is you should go into any profession not because of such externalities as prestige, compensation, status or other such irrelevancies, but because YOU ENJOY DOING THE WORK AND IT GIVES YOUR LIFE MEANING. We live in these extraordinary times when we don't have to hunt mastodon for a living, but instead can choose to sub-specialize in any number of interesting ways. So if you really enjoy working with people's bodies and helping them heal in an absolutely tangible, rewarding way, PT is fantastic. If you like to deal with sick people every day as a physician, with all the pluses and minuses enumerated in the article, do that. But remember the only reason to go into medicine (or any other demanding profession): <em>you enjoy doing that specific work above everything else in life</em>. I mean, you order a burrito because you enjoy eating burritos, not because it'll make you fart later. In the case of medicine, that work is dealing with sick people. Everything else is incidental. If that's your calling, then do it. Keep your eyes on that, and you'll make the right decision. PT is a hugely rewarding profession — my sister is one. And, I gotta tell ya, it chafes her that she’s just as smart as the docs, and she makes X amount less than them, and they call all the shots, etc etc. Then again, she’s never been a doc, so I’m sure there’d be something to groan about in that position, too. The point is you should go into any profession not because of such externalities as prestige, compensation, status or other such irrelevancies, but because YOU ENJOY DOING THE WORK AND IT GIVES YOUR LIFE MEANING. We live in these extraordinary times when we don’t have to hunt mastodon for a living, but instead can choose to sub-specialize in any number of interesting ways. So if you really enjoy working with people’s bodies and helping them heal in an absolutely tangible, rewarding way, PT is fantastic. If you like to deal with sick people every day as a physician, with all the pluses and minuses enumerated in the article, do that. But remember the only reason to go into medicine (or any other demanding profession): you enjoy doing that specific work above everything else in life. I mean, you order a burrito because you enjoy eating burritos, not because it’ll make you fart later. In the case of medicine, that work is dealing with sick people. Everything else is incidental. If that’s your calling, then do it. Keep your eyes on that, and you’ll make the right decision.

]]> Comment on Why you should not go to medical school — a gleefully biased rant by ChrisC http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/abinazir/2005/05/23/why-you-should-not-go-to-medical-school-a-gleefully-biased-rant/comment-page-2/#comment-14157 ChrisC Mon, 14 May 2012 06:18:25 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/abinazir/2005/05/23/why-you-should-not-go-to-medical-sch#comment-14157 I'm currently a student on a fast-track for a DPT. I have been blowing my classes out of the water and where others are struggling I am having no problems. I love everything about the human body and internal workings, even the nitty-gritty details everyone else seem to hate. That being said I've been considering jumping into a pre-med program. I would have no trouble being accepted but this decision has been keeping me up at night because I have my doubts if it's the right decision for myself. Reading this put more doubts in my mind. I know if I put my mind to it I can do it, but you make it sound like it's not even worth it. What should I do? A DPT is rewarding and I'll be able to help people but I'm afraid it won't be enough. I don't want to stop learning when there is so much out there, esp when I can help people with what I learn. I don't want to finish college/grad school and look back knowing I made the wrong decision. Any advice would be great, I would greatly appreciate it from someone who clearly knows the profession. I’m currently a student on a fast-track for a DPT. I have been blowing my classes out of the water and where others are struggling I am having no problems. I love everything about the human body and internal workings, even the nitty-gritty details everyone else seem to hate. That being said I’ve been considering jumping into a pre-med program. I would have no trouble being accepted but this decision has been keeping me up at night because I have my doubts if it’s the right decision for myself. Reading this put more doubts in my mind. I know if I put my mind to it I can do it, but you make it sound like it’s not even worth it. What should I do? A DPT is rewarding and I’ll be able to help people but I’m afraid it won’t be enough. I don’t want to stop learning when there is so much out there, esp when I can help people with what I learn. I don’t want to finish college/grad school and look back knowing I made the wrong decision. Any advice would be great, I would greatly appreciate it from someone who clearly knows the profession.

]]> Comment on Why you should not go to medical school — a gleefully biased rant by Indian Girl http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/abinazir/2005/05/23/why-you-should-not-go-to-medical-school-a-gleefully-biased-rant/comment-page-2/#comment-14156 Indian Girl Thu, 10 May 2012 19:49:30 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/abinazir/2005/05/23/why-you-should-not-go-to-medical-sch#comment-14156 When some people are "born" to be doctors - what traits do they possess? When some people are “born” to be doctors – what traits do they possess?

]]> Comment on Why you should not go to medical school — a gleefully biased rant by Ali B http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/abinazir/2005/05/23/why-you-should-not-go-to-medical-school-a-gleefully-biased-rant/comment-page-2/#comment-14155 Ali B Mon, 07 May 2012 06:34:19 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/abinazir/2005/05/23/why-you-should-not-go-to-medical-sch#comment-14155 Charann77: 25 years is a long time ago, hon. This article was meant for people going into medicine today, when things are considerably different. Although it doesn't seem like his experience was any walk in the park, either. Also, it doesn't seem like you have any first-hand experience with medicine. You know about as much about medicine as you do about marriage: you know your dad who went through it. No substitute for experiencing it yourself. Charann77: 25 years is a long time ago, hon. This article was meant for people going into medicine today, when things are considerably different. Although it doesn’t seem like his experience was any walk in the park, either. Also, it doesn’t seem like you have any first-hand experience with medicine. You know about as much about medicine as you do about marriage: you know your dad who went through it. No substitute for experiencing it yourself.

]]> Comment on Why you should not go to medical school — a gleefully biased rant by Carla http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/abinazir/2005/05/23/why-you-should-not-go-to-medical-school-a-gleefully-biased-rant/comment-page-2/#comment-14154 Carla Mon, 07 May 2012 05:10:06 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/abinazir/2005/05/23/why-you-should-not-go-to-medical-sch#comment-14154 I'm not even a doctor and I have to agree with ALL of this. I am a Certified Nursing Assistant and I am currently in school to be a Medical Assistant and Phlebotomy, but in my 6 years as a CNA, I agree with everything you just said. I don't get to heal people or save lives per se BUT I do get the glorious task of being my residents family, I do get to spend more time with every patient, luckily for me. And when I think I'm about to give up on the medical field entirely, I have the occasional LOL tell me how much they love me, and that I am God's gift to them. :) But thank you for the story all the same. It made me realize I am NEVER going to be a doctor. I enjoy food, sleep and the occasional stress-relieving nookie. Lol. I’m not even a doctor and I have to agree with ALL of this. I am a Certified Nursing Assistant and I am currently in school to be a Medical Assistant and Phlebotomy, but in my 6 years as a CNA, I agree with everything you just said. I don’t get to heal people or save lives per se BUT I do get the glorious task of being my residents family, I do get to spend more time with every patient, luckily for me. And when I think I’m about to give up on the medical field entirely, I have the occasional LOL tell me how much they love me, and that I am God’s gift to them. :) But thank you for the story all the same. It made me realize I am NEVER going to be a doctor. I enjoy food, sleep and the occasional stress-relieving nookie. Lol.

]]> Comment on Why you should not go to medical school — a gleefully biased rant by charann77 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/abinazir/2005/05/23/why-you-should-not-go-to-medical-school-a-gleefully-biased-rant/comment-page-2/#comment-14152 charann77 Sun, 06 May 2012 19:31:40 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/abinazir/2005/05/23/why-you-should-not-go-to-medical-sch#comment-14152 I think that all the issues you pose are legitimate, however, my father is a family physician and went to medical school while married to my mother and I am proud to say that they are still happily married 25 years later. Although he talks about those times being very difficult, he still has fond memories of his times at USC medical school. And as a family physician with his own practice he still never missed one of my ballet recitals or volleyball games. I think that it, like anything else, has to do with what you make of it. Trying to be easy going and having a sense of humor about it is extremely important. My dad tells one story where he was in residency and was working the grave yard shift the night before so got no sleep and then had to attend a lecture the next morning. The last he remembered was them turning off the lights for the slideshow and then next thing he knew his arm was soaking wet and the room was empty. It was then that he realized he fell asleep and drooled down his arm with a puddle on his desk. Its obviously exhausting but he can now look back and laugh at those times. I think he would say that the struggle was worth doing what he is passionate about. He loves his patients and the sense of pride he gets from being able to help them. I know this may seem a little idealistic but i think this is possible. I think that all the issues you pose are legitimate, however, my father is a family physician and went to medical school while married to my mother and I am proud to say that they are still happily married 25 years later. Although he talks about those times being very difficult, he still has fond memories of his times at USC medical school. And as a family physician with his own practice he still never missed one of my ballet recitals or volleyball games. I think that it, like anything else, has to do with what you make of it. Trying to be easy going and having a sense of humor about it is extremely important. My dad tells one story where he was in residency and was working the grave yard shift the night before so got no sleep and then had to attend a lecture the next morning. The last he remembered was them turning off the lights for the slideshow and then next thing he knew his arm was soaking wet and the room was empty. It was then that he realized he fell asleep and drooled down his arm with a puddle on his desk. Its obviously exhausting but he can now look back and laugh at those times. I think he would say that the struggle was worth doing what he is passionate about. He loves his patients and the sense of pride he gets from being able to help them. I know this may seem a little idealistic but i think this is possible.

]]> Comment on Why you should not go to medical school — a gleefully biased rant by F. A. Hayek http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/abinazir/2005/05/23/why-you-should-not-go-to-medical-school-a-gleefully-biased-rant/comment-page-2/#comment-14149 F. A. Hayek Fri, 04 May 2012 08:53:05 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/abinazir/2005/05/23/why-you-should-not-go-to-medical-sch#comment-14149 I wonder if OBAMACARE and/or similar governmental policies that may possibly be passed within the next 5 to 10 years may give further reason not to become a doctor. Wouldn't salaries decrease, more of doctors' jobs be dictated by third parties, etc., etc.? In fact, much of the stress of becoming a physician would, in my opinion, be lowered by relaxing the stringent process currently in place. In other words, licensure laws are as much to blame as anything else for the problems with the medical field today. Without them, some salaries would go down while others would go up, competition would increase, costs would be pulled down so that cost of care could become more affordable, better doctors would be rewarded better and bad doctors would have to quickly choose a different profession. People wouldn't need someone with 12 years of education and the associated stresses to do a routine physical or fix a common ailment. The shortage of doctors would be met by more willing and able people to fill the various niches in the medical field. Perhaps some medical schools would cost less, attracting larger numbers of graduates. These ideas sound very utopian and you may say that this would cause rampant problems because anyone could practice medicine, but people need to take responsibility of themselves and find the right person for the job. It's not like there are no mistakes in medicine even with these supposedly necessary licensure laws which are burdensome. I wonder if OBAMACARE and/or similar governmental policies that may possibly be passed within the next 5 to 10 years may give further reason not to become a doctor. Wouldn’t salaries decrease, more of doctors’ jobs be dictated by third parties, etc., etc.? In fact, much of the stress of becoming a physician would, in my opinion, be lowered by relaxing the stringent process currently in place. In other words, licensure laws are as much to blame as anything else for the problems with the medical field today. Without them, some salaries would go down while others would go up, competition would increase, costs would be pulled down so that cost of care could become more affordable, better doctors would be rewarded better and bad doctors would have to quickly choose a different profession. People wouldn’t need someone with 12 years of education and the associated stresses to do a routine physical or fix a common ailment. The shortage of doctors would be met by more willing and able people to fill the various niches in the medical field. Perhaps some medical schools would cost less, attracting larger numbers of graduates. These ideas sound very utopian and you may say that this would cause rampant problems because anyone could practice medicine, but people need to take responsibility of themselves and find the right person for the job. It’s not like there are no mistakes in medicine even with these supposedly necessary licensure laws which are burdensome.

]]> Comment on Why you should not go to medical school — a gleefully biased rant by Arthur E. Angove, D.O., Gen. Surgeon, Ret. http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/abinazir/2005/05/23/why-you-should-not-go-to-medical-school-a-gleefully-biased-rant/comment-page-2/#comment-14136 Arthur E. Angove, D.O., Gen. Surgeon, Ret. Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:18:07 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/abinazir/2005/05/23/why-you-should-not-go-to-medical-sch#comment-14136 As an almost octogenarian retired general surgeon I can enjoy all the comments above. When I was fourteen I was inspired to be a medical missionary. At Westmar College my counsellor directed me to take courses that would credential me as a biology, chemistry and physics high school teacher; a pastor, and physician. I started teaching with an annual salary of $3500. After three very enjoyable years of renovating the third floor of the high school with all the most uptodate scientific equipment through a grant from the U.S. government who wanted us to catch up to the develpers of Sputnik, I studied physics at the University of Iowa where Dr. Vernor von Braun who invented the rockets that bombarded London, and Dr. Van Allen of whom the radiation belt circling the earth was named, and watched the development of the Explorer. I was going to become an M.D., but after my wife experienced a disablingly painful back condition that couldn't be helped at the hospital in Iowa City, she wanted to see her own physician in Rochester, MN who after fifteen minutes had her laughing as she walked normally out of his office; and at no charge to her. After learning that he was a D.O. I questioned many M.D.s as to what is a D.O. As with some of the above comments I received very discouraging advice; but my real life experience told me to get my D.O. degree for which I am eternally grateful. This past weekend a beautiful princess and a shy gentle boy invited me to celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Their pediatrician daughter from Florida asked me to attend the celebration of which I was their pastor for three years in Madrid, Iowa, and performed the marriage ceremony. We had two daughters while teaching, another daughter while studying osteopathic medicine in Des Moines, Iowa, where I am now a board of trustees member of the great Des Moines University. Two sons while in Surgical residency; and another daughter during my first year of surgical practice in Milwaukee, WI. My malpractice insurance policy was $1000/yr. Then suddenly $16,000/yr and at that time many surgeons questioned whether to continue doing surgery; well the last year of practice I went to the bank to borrow $104,000. to buy the policy required to practice surgery in the hospital. My first surgery in Milwaukee was an appendectomy for which I charged $170. The parents insisted on paying me in cash; and greeted me by bowing and saying: Good morning Mr. Doctor. I don't even know what the charge for an appendectomy is now. A few years ago I did a cholecystectomy on Governor Adelberto Paz in La Clinica Medica Cristiana in Progeso, Yoro, Honduras for $75 charged by the hospital. I didn't charge anything. My kids have often asked: Dad, why do we always go on vacation to some place where you do surgery? It's because that's what I enjoy doing the most! My oldest daughter Julie is a labor and delivery nurse (RNC, BSN, EFMC) and stops in to tell me excitedly: Dad, I had the most wonderful day...then proceeds to tell me the details....and they even paid me for it! I've been mentoring premed students from the University of Wisconsin and Marquette University and having them with me at the Surgical Morbidity/Mortality Reviews, and all have thanked me for inspiring them. A beautiful girl who could be a model came up to me at the Medical Society Foundation dinner and told me: Thank you Dr. Angove for inspiring me to become a general surgeon. That's worth more than any amount of money. My advice to young people is to put all your resources into becoming that which is your passion and what God inspires your heart and mind to be to serve humanity. A cheerful heart is like a good medicine! As an almost octogenarian retired general surgeon I can enjoy all the comments above. When I was fourteen I was inspired to be a medical missionary. At Westmar College my counsellor directed me to take courses that would credential me as a biology, chemistry and physics high school teacher; a pastor, and physician. I started teaching with an annual salary of $3500. After three very enjoyable years of renovating the third floor of the high school with all the most uptodate scientific equipment through a grant from the U.S. government who wanted us to catch up to the develpers of Sputnik, I studied physics at the University of Iowa where Dr. Vernor von Braun who invented the rockets that bombarded London, and Dr. Van Allen of whom the radiation belt circling the earth was named, and watched the development of the Explorer. I was going to become an M.D., but after my wife experienced a disablingly painful back condition that couldn’t be helped at the hospital in Iowa City, she wanted to see her own physician in Rochester, MN who after fifteen minutes had her laughing as she walked normally out of his office; and at no charge to her. After learning that he was a D.O. I questioned many M.D.s as to what is a D.O. As with some of the above comments I received very discouraging advice; but my real life experience told me to get my D.O. degree for which I am eternally grateful. This past weekend a beautiful princess and a shy gentle boy invited me to celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Their pediatrician daughter from Florida asked me to attend the celebration of which I was their pastor for three years in Madrid, Iowa, and performed the marriage ceremony. We had two daughters while teaching, another daughter while studying osteopathic medicine in Des Moines, Iowa, where I am now a board of trustees member of the great Des Moines University. Two sons while in Surgical residency; and another daughter during my first year of surgical practice in Milwaukee, WI. My malpractice insurance policy was $1000/yr. Then suddenly $16,000/yr and at that time many surgeons questioned whether to continue doing surgery; well the last year of practice I went to the bank to borrow $104,000. to buy the policy required to practice surgery in the hospital. My first surgery in Milwaukee was an appendectomy for which I charged $170. The parents insisted on paying me in cash; and greeted me by bowing and saying: Good morning Mr. Doctor. I don’t even know what the charge for an appendectomy is now. A few years ago I did a cholecystectomy on Governor Adelberto Paz in La Clinica Medica Cristiana in Progeso, Yoro, Honduras for $75 charged by the hospital. I didn’t charge anything. My kids have often asked: Dad, why do we always go on vacation to some place where you do surgery? It’s because that’s what I enjoy doing the most! My oldest daughter Julie is a labor and delivery nurse (RNC, BSN, EFMC) and stops in to tell me excitedly: Dad, I had the most wonderful day…then proceeds to tell me the details….and they even paid me for it! I’ve been mentoring premed students from the University of Wisconsin and Marquette University and having them with me at the Surgical Morbidity/Mortality Reviews, and all have thanked me for inspiring them. A beautiful girl who could be a model came up to me at the Medical Society Foundation dinner and told me: Thank you Dr. Angove for inspiring me to become a general surgeon. That’s worth more than any amount of money. My advice to young people is to put all your resources into becoming that which is your passion and what God inspires your heart and mind to be to serve humanity. A cheerful heart is like a good medicine!

]]> Comment on Why you should not go to medical school — a gleefully biased rant by Indian Girl http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/abinazir/2005/05/23/why-you-should-not-go-to-medical-school-a-gleefully-biased-rant/comment-page-1/#comment-14135 Indian Girl Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:42:24 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/abinazir/2005/05/23/why-you-should-not-go-to-medical-sch#comment-14135 I have never been more confused in my life. And then I stumbled on this article. I have resorted to countless prayers, discussing with those far and near, specialized and generalist alike. I want prestige, financial security, fulfillment but also be able to help humanity. I love too many things - I enjoy science, I enjoy law, I enjoy the idea of running a corporation.. I am not a young chicken, I have graduated with a health degree from college over two years ago. I am currently working but not specialized in anything. I want to have that gut feeling that says, "this is it" and just DO it. But when I move to wetting my feet, something holds me back. My strongest traits are persuasion, writing, debate, logic, creativity and compassion. You give me the remote I will immediately tune it to Discovery. You give me a stance and I will defend it. You give me a problem and I will make you see it in a way you didn't. Give me an idea and I will present it to you in a completely new way. But I want to make sure that I help people. And medicine.. is the epitome of that isn't it? I don't know where that places me? I am an Indian and my family deserves to be proud of me and naturally they want a doctor. I want so bad to have the title, but from what I read that is certainly not a good reason. I am not worried about long hours or stress because I WANT to be married to my career.. because I want that to be my purpose. I am so lost, but this article did help. Any feedback on my situation would be REALLY helpful.. I need to make a decision soon.. I have never been more confused in my life. And then I stumbled on this article. I have resorted to countless prayers, discussing with those far and near, specialized and generalist alike.

I want prestige, financial security, fulfillment but also be able to help humanity. I love too many things – I enjoy science, I enjoy law, I enjoy the idea of running a corporation.. I am not a young chicken, I have graduated with a health degree from college over two years ago. I am currently working but not specialized in anything.

I want to have that gut feeling that says, “this is it” and just DO it. But when I move to wetting my feet, something holds me back. My strongest traits are persuasion, writing, debate, logic, creativity and compassion. You give me the remote I will immediately tune it to Discovery. You give me a stance and I will defend it. You give me a problem and I will make you see it in a way you didn’t. Give me an idea and I will present it to you in a completely new way. But I want to make sure that I help people. And medicine.. is the epitome of that isn’t it? I don’t know where that places me? I am an Indian and my family deserves to be proud of me and naturally they want a doctor. I want so bad to have the title, but from what I read that is certainly not a good reason. I am not worried about long hours or stress because I WANT to be married to my career.. because I want that to be my purpose. I am so lost, but this article did help. Any feedback on my situation would be REALLY helpful.. I need to make a decision soon..

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