shawn whatley md

Doctor’s Day

On May 1^st we celebrate doctors. “Your life is our life’s work” sums up the drive that keeps physicians working (Ontario Medical Association 30 second video below).

In the clinic this morning, I talked with staff about how a positive test does not mean a patient has something wrong. We discussed screening tests, pre-test probability, positive and negative predictive value, confirmation tests, and clinical judgement.

Physicians forget that what seems second nature actually took decades to develop. Your skills as a physician actually have enormous value even when your application of them seems effortless.

I hope physicians take a minute today to realize the value they add to patients’ lives. I hope they celebrate the privilege of spending their lives helping other people. Even though some will always criticize, most Canadians appreciate their physicians.

Doctor’s day reminds physicians of the trust patients place in them. It rekindles passion to care. Thanks Doc!

Income vs Life-time Earnings

Well meaning parents tell their kids to work hard in school, get good grades, and become a doctor. My office assistant referred to my job the other day as, “The Golden Pen.”

No question, society values physicians. When doctors finally start their own practice, they earn a generous income for working longer hours than average.

But, before you tell students to become doctors, ask yourself the following:

Is it better to earn a high income working long hours after a long, expensive education?

Or,

Is it better to earn a lower income, with shorter hours after a short, less expensive education?

Of course, finding happiness and fulfilment depends on more than how much money you make. Students might enjoy work in another industry. Advising only to ‘do what you love’ to a young person who has no clue what a job entails seems paternalistic and trite, not wise.

Life-Time Earnings

This link suggests that, after considering total hours worked and cost of training, teachers earn more per hour than physicians in the US: The Deceptive Salary of Doctors.

Considering Ontario teacher salaries, it becomes even more important to give young people accurate advice.

Of course, income plays only a small role in job satisfaction. Job stress, risk of exposure to violence and lethal infections, and level of personal control, and dozens of other issues all impact joy at work. These will mean more to some, and less to others.

In the end, be careful about using social biases, urban myths, and news headlines to guide career advice.

(photocredit: bmo.com)

The Last Pages – Promoting My Daughter’s 1st Book

My Daughter’s First Book

My 14 year old spent her summer furiously clicking on her MacBook. Two years later, her first novel, The Last Pages, is ready for pre-order on Amazon.com. She has a contract for book 2, and has a 3rd well under way.

Young adult novels command a huge chunk of the publishing market right now. If you know of any YA readers, tell them to check out The Last Pages by Lara Whatley!