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Are Dermatologists really mean? Should I be a PA? HELP!
I want to go into a medical field, but I don't know which one. Dermatology, or Derm as Dermatologists call it, is one of my top choices! I love having beautiful and clear skin! BUT I was shadowing a gynecologist the other day and she said that it is SUPER hard to get into derm and that they are all mean. I know all of them can't be mean, but are most of them? Honestly, SHE seemed more grumpy than I was expecting. She also said I should consider being a PA because of my personality! She said I'm very fun and good a listening! If so, do PA's wear lab coats? #medicine #doctor #healthcare #medical #college
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8 answers
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Richard’s Answer
I've never heard the stereotype about dermatologists being mean. They are all super smart and have graduated at the top of their medical school class.
Becoming a physician requires more years of schooling than being a PA.
PAs can change fields during their career. Once a physician has committed 3-6 years to a residency in a field, it is quite rare to change specialty. However I have known PAs who change from general practice to a specialty such as orthopedics without difficulty.
Becoming a physician requires more years of schooling than being a PA.
PAs can change fields during their career. Once a physician has committed 3-6 years to a residency in a field, it is quite rare to change specialty. However I have known PAs who change from general practice to a specialty such as orthopedics without difficulty.
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Rachel’s Answer
I agree with the above suggestion that you shadow physicians in different fields and find out for yourself what specialty best fits your personality. Additionally, when considering whether to be an MD or a PA, shadowing helps to define what role you would like to play in taking care of patients. Physicians have much more independence and control over diagnosis and plan, but many PA's have set schedules. Also, PA's don't have to spend nearly as much time in training.
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Samantha’s Answer
Dermatology is a hard field to go into because it is competitive. After you graduate from medical school, it is more competitive to match into a residency like Derm rather than say Pediatrics. You should base your decision on what you want to go into. Going to medical school is more expensive and longer but the payoff is greater. You will make a bigger salary than a PA and you are in charge of yourself. Going to PA school is only 2 years (vs 4), but you must work under a physician. If you become a PA, you can work in dermatology, you would just work under a doctor. Also, when you go to PA/med school (whichever you choose) you will have a lot more exposure into different specialties. You may even end up liking something you did not know about!
Good luck!
Good luck!
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Amanda’s Answer
Biggest life lesson - everyone has an opinion.
If you are passionate about pursing a career as a Dermatologist then don't let anyone else persuade your vision.
Your "bubbly" personality shouldn't have been a suggestion for someone to limit your ability or suggest a career path.
I can personally tell you I have never chose a DO, PA, or RN based off of their personality, although it does help.
I suggest asking your local dermatology office if you can shadow for a day to see if it is something you truly want to peruse,
I think that might help you get a better understanding of the PA's role in the office and expectations.
From there you can see if it's a good fit and if it will be a good fit.
Best of luck!
If you are passionate about pursing a career as a Dermatologist then don't let anyone else persuade your vision.
Your "bubbly" personality shouldn't have been a suggestion for someone to limit your ability or suggest a career path.
I can personally tell you I have never chose a DO, PA, or RN based off of their personality, although it does help.
I suggest asking your local dermatology office if you can shadow for a day to see if it is something you truly want to peruse,
I think that might help you get a better understanding of the PA's role in the office and expectations.
From there you can see if it's a good fit and if it will be a good fit.
Best of luck!
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Estelle’s Answer
That is a strange generalization. The dermatologists I know are nice. They were very happy in residency too. I should also say that I love gynecology & have found it to be a very rewarding career. You should shadow as many doctors as you can. Most people do not know what specialty they really want to do until the clinical rotations 3rd & 4th year in med school.
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Kim’s Answer
Hi Essie!
I am not in medicine, but, as much as I find myself at doctors, esp. with my parents, I sure feel like I ought to be! Here is my layperson take on the medical specialists:
Dermatology. I have seen four dermatologists. Two (women) were entirely focused on making money from the face-lift crowd, and showed little interest in me or my actual medical problems. One (a guy) was really cool, and friendly. The fourth one, a lady, was straight business. Not friendly, not grumpy, just straight business.
Nephrologists: (kidney doctors): My Dad's is straight business. Mine is super-friendly, and, very knowledgeable. Anyone who is friendly but not knowledgeable is no good to me as a patient!
Gynecologists: I have seen several. One who refused to give me a tubal ligation because she thought I was too young (I think her culture was a factor). One who immediately wanted to operate when I had an ovarian cyst (I sought out a gynecological oncologist, a cancer specialist. I still have the cyst. It does not need to come out).
Podiatrists: I went from one who wanted to surgically lengthen my Achilles tendon (yikes) to an Orthopedic Dr specializing in feet, who created a special brace that immediately solved most of my foot pain problems (I was having to use a walker!)
Rheumatologists: I have seen several. I had one who was super friendly, more like a therapist than a doctor. When I needed my records for other purposes, I found they were woefully sloppy. He also missed lab results that were seriously out of range! I had others that were straight science people - looking at all kinds of test results, but not concerned about how I was functioning. It took me 15 years to find one who addressed both the medical side and the personal side.
Moral of the story. You can be the type of doctor YOU want to be. I have had PA' s who wear lab coats. And those who don't. The practice will set the dress code. While lab coats are cool and give you a sense of authority, once you get established you will find you don't need the coat to be able to speak authoratatively. Also, the labcoat sometimes creates a distance between patient and doctor, where the patient may not feel as willing to speak freely with you. There is psychological research on that!
I would like to encourage you to consider Rheumatology. There aren't enough of them! Why? I was told it was because all the doctor can do is manage the illness, they are not able to see the success of having healed their patients. Rheumatology handles things like Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus, and a lot of other illnesses which involve the body turning against itself - autoimmune problems. It is very complex, even trying to derive at a diagnosis.
Anyway, hope this helps! Good luck to you!
I am not in medicine, but, as much as I find myself at doctors, esp. with my parents, I sure feel like I ought to be! Here is my layperson take on the medical specialists:
Dermatology. I have seen four dermatologists. Two (women) were entirely focused on making money from the face-lift crowd, and showed little interest in me or my actual medical problems. One (a guy) was really cool, and friendly. The fourth one, a lady, was straight business. Not friendly, not grumpy, just straight business.
Nephrologists: (kidney doctors): My Dad's is straight business. Mine is super-friendly, and, very knowledgeable. Anyone who is friendly but not knowledgeable is no good to me as a patient!
Gynecologists: I have seen several. One who refused to give me a tubal ligation because she thought I was too young (I think her culture was a factor). One who immediately wanted to operate when I had an ovarian cyst (I sought out a gynecological oncologist, a cancer specialist. I still have the cyst. It does not need to come out).
Podiatrists: I went from one who wanted to surgically lengthen my Achilles tendon (yikes) to an Orthopedic Dr specializing in feet, who created a special brace that immediately solved most of my foot pain problems (I was having to use a walker!)
Rheumatologists: I have seen several. I had one who was super friendly, more like a therapist than a doctor. When I needed my records for other purposes, I found they were woefully sloppy. He also missed lab results that were seriously out of range! I had others that were straight science people - looking at all kinds of test results, but not concerned about how I was functioning. It took me 15 years to find one who addressed both the medical side and the personal side.
Moral of the story. You can be the type of doctor YOU want to be. I have had PA' s who wear lab coats. And those who don't. The practice will set the dress code. While lab coats are cool and give you a sense of authority, once you get established you will find you don't need the coat to be able to speak authoratatively. Also, the labcoat sometimes creates a distance between patient and doctor, where the patient may not feel as willing to speak freely with you. There is psychological research on that!
I would like to encourage you to consider Rheumatology. There aren't enough of them! Why? I was told it was because all the doctor can do is manage the illness, they are not able to see the success of having healed their patients. Rheumatology handles things like Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus, and a lot of other illnesses which involve the body turning against itself - autoimmune problems. It is very complex, even trying to derive at a diagnosis.
Anyway, hope this helps! Good luck to you!
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Molly’s Answer
I would not take one person's comment to determine your future... figure out what you want to do! Derm vs PA has many differences; most importantly
1. how long do you want to go to school? Dr. is longer and more expensive
2. how much will you get paid? Dr. is paid more
3. where do you want to work? Dr. can have a practice, PA's cannot, they will work under a Dr.
And being MEAN is a choice....... not based on your profession.
Figure out what you want to do, then determine how to reach that goal. Good luck!
1. how long do you want to go to school? Dr. is longer and more expensive
2. how much will you get paid? Dr. is paid more
3. where do you want to work? Dr. can have a practice, PA's cannot, they will work under a Dr.
And being MEAN is a choice....... not based on your profession.
Figure out what you want to do, then determine how to reach that goal. Good luck!
Updated
Emily’s Answer
Please realize that comment was HER opinion and what probably happened is she got her feelings hurt by one or more dermatologists she was trying to learn from and that is all it is.
Follow your heart. Because whatever career you choose, make sure you its one where you actually WANT to go to work every day.
Follow your heart. Because whatever career you choose, make sure you its one where you actually WANT to go to work every day.