I write this after finishing my tenth year of "post graduate education." I have been in school for a really long time. I have a bachelor's degree. I spent four years in medical school plus added a year for teaching in a Fellowship. I then did a traditional internship plus three years of residency and added on a second residency/Fellowship. That is a lot of school. Was it worth it?
The value of education is difficult to determine. I sacrificed many hundreds of thousands of dollars to become more educated than other physicians. I have received intangible benefits from doing so. The question seems to boil down to money versus experience.
I must confess that I never do anything simple, and am shocked to find that I look down on those who do. I feel those individuals who do a "shorter" residency or "faster" degree to save time in order to earn money are somehow not as "pure" as me. Myself, and those like me, spent a longer time, delving in deeper and grasping a different yet somehow nebulous concept. The family physicians who work with me in the Emergency Department feel they are my equal, while when the bad stuff rolls in, their lack of training is obvious. The nurse anesthatist who tries to tell me how to manage an airway backs away from the unstable, vomiting drunk with bullet wounds. I am shocked to find a small amount of pride in me when I do something that others would rather not handle.
I sometimes feel like I took the long road and others might mock me for not jumping in and bringing in the big bucks. Yet, when that extra area of specialty is needed, I feel vindicated.
For example, my daughter came down with a fever and pain in her ears when we were flying home from a job interview. She refused to drink Tylenol and was miserable. I was able to take her in my arms, use osteopathic manipulation and not only break the fever but drain her ears. I bet she doesn't regret me spending extra time getting good at that.
Another example, I delivered a baby - backwards and almost completely dead - and saved her life. She is doing very well now! I have seen her family many times (but not her) and they always express their gratitude. I spent an extra year learning how to manage that more than just a paragraph in the book.
Other people may be able to manage what I do, but the fear factor from being unprepared is key. The nurses tell me that they would rather have me on when the bad stuff rolls in than anyone else. I am again shocked to find a little swelling of pride with that.
I do NOT regret my extra time in studying and love what I do. I like using my hands, my head and my smiling personality to help people in their process of healing. What I have invested in my education has helped people live, live more comfortably, and suffer less iatrogenic (doctor inflicted) harm. I think my path to where I am has helped me become the doctor I would like to see. And for that, I am well pleased.
