Hey---
I've been considering ortho a specialty; I love the acute diseases, all ages of patients, good and quick results, and practice autonomy.
But I have also been turned off by the attitude in ortho. My first day of medical school I vividly remember going to the gym and listening to a pack of third years stand around drinking protein shakes, working on their biceps and other show muscles, talking about how their going into ortho cause the hours are good and you can make serious bank. This same event has recycled every year in that same gym as a new class arises.
A year ago, underwent surgery. At the 2 month follow-up, I said I was still having some pain with eversion. He told me and I quote, "look, you know know the anatomy, so its probably just in your head, you'll get over it." I'm still having problems with it.
I volunteered a few days to learn more about ortho. While working with the residents, twice in one day I saw them falsify the medical record/OR report (in a year on the floors I've never saw that once).
Over the holiday break, I hung out with an old friend MSIII of my wife who has always wanted to do derm because of the serious bank and good lifestyle, now wants to do ortho. This guy calls all fat people pre-ops, does cocaine regularly, and carries a bottle of JD in his glove compartment 'just in case.'
So I've come to your website and gone through most of your posts looking for some consoling. There are lots of unprofessional and crude remarks, and generally lots of concern about lifestyle and cash. Another poster asked about this a few months ago in regards to another seriously unprofessional post about 'body dysmorphic syn.' The response to her was quite positive and reassuring from two of you. But, again a third poster, says "IF you get flustered from comments on an anonymous message board you might be too touchy feely for Ortho....have you ever thought of Family Med???" Too touchy feely? because she stood up against some unethical behaviour, what if that was indeed a real patient? (and I dont think the 'troll poster' theory is all that valid)
In conclusion, as much has I want to go into ortho, I feel very bothered by my impression of orthopods as frat boys who have too little compassion for their patients and great love for their money and lifestyle.
Please tell me I'm wrong (if it indeed am). Please do not deny that many people who go into ortho choose it for money, lifestyle, and the avoidance of the touchy feely, but what percentage of people do you think choose it for those reasons? And, if I chose ortho, will I be ostracized for standing up to unethical behavior?
I know that I have been harse and inflammatory in this post--I'm hoping to incite some response. I think the stereotype of ortho needs serious improvement and the 'just chill' attitude that always counters it just isn't cutting it. So I apologize if I have offended anybody, but hopefully I've made you think (maybe thats just a familt med thing
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