Physician vs Psychiatrist

[Eddy]

Hello everyone!

So, I joined this forum for the sole purpose of getting some advice on this...

I'm in that point in my life, that I have to decide which path I should follow, regarding education, career.

I have settled in what the title says, the body or the mind. What I seek is for something most challenging. Something that leaves space for new ideas to flourish, instead of memorizing a system and acting upon it, with minimal room for creativity. Therefore I ask you kind souls, what do you think fits best? If not the aforementioned, any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

[Eddy]

Thanks guys for all your great answers, you all have been really helpful. I have to admit at first I was afraid no one would answer, but you proved me wrong.

Thanks B)

[ewmon]

I've found psychology and psychiatry to involve inordinate amounts of creativity and freedom ... and practitioners can vary the speed of patient recovery depending on whether the economy is good or bad or whether you want an in-ground pool, vacation in Europe, etc. No clinical tests or independent sources exist to determine how well or poor a job the practitioners perform. Am I being too cynical?

[timo]

If you want to do something creative instead of "memorizing a system and acting upon it" and have a minimum sense of responsibility then you should stay away from treating humans at all.

[Eddy]

If you want to do something creative instead of "memorizing a system and acting upon it" and have a minimum sense of responsibility then you should stay away from treating humans at all.

 

I didn't claim I want to do something creative like it's an art, I said I want to think creatively and I certainly didn't mention anything about responsibility.

There is a difference between "not being bound by a system" and "using humans as guinea pigs, to try my absurd ideas".

Edited September 20, 2010 by Déx

[timo]

And I strongly disagree with the notion that in medicine you are not "being bound by a system". I seriously hope that there's few fields where you are tied to the well-tested routine as closely as there. Not sure how it looks in Psychiatry; they might have the advantages that the patients cannot complain (i.e. sue) properly. That's just a prejudice, though.

I'm not exactly worried that you want to become Mengele junior . But I think your view might be more inspired by Dr. House than by reality. That said, I'm not a physician myself, so all I can offer as expertise is having a bit more life experience than you (and having worked two years as an ambulance driver).

[Eddy]

Ok, maybe it was my fault for not clarifying this from the beginning. I didn't mean I want to disregard the well tested routines and procedures, rather than being creative on the areas that a system hasn't been yet completely established. Regarding psychiatry, what I understand is that we are far away from understanding the human psyche in many areas, yet. Areas where a system is incomplete or is in the process of being invented, hence my desire to contribute whatever small piece I can. As for Dr. House, why would you assume that I base important life choices like career, based on an unrealistic show about a jerk? If all the fuzz is about the word "creative", then forget about it. I wouldn't want you to think the idea of injecting twins' hearts' with chloroform fascinates me. "Contributing creatively", sound better?

[iNow]

You're perhaps too defensive about minor bullshit to be a good psychiatrist. I vote Physician.

[Eddy]

The fact that I wanted to clear things up is defensive, huh? You seem to forget my purpose here is to get advise and I'm sure not going to get it by starting to utter "fuck you"s to anyone with an objection.

 

Simply put:

"Being defensive" as you call it => answers

"Being offensive" or "Being apathetic" => no answers

 

I seek answers therefore... you get how it goes.

 

Actually I'm answering to minor bullshit right now, so maybe you are right. (That's Sarcasm)

[Mr Skeptic]

Neither of these are really creativity fields, especially not physician.

[iNow]

The fact that I wanted to clear things up is defensive, huh? You seem to forget my purpose here is to get advise and I'm sure not going to get it by starting to utter "fuck you"s to anyone with an objection.

 

Simply put:

"Being defensive" as you call it => answers

"Being offensive" or "Being apathetic" => no answers

 

I seek answers therefore... you get how it goes.

 

Actually I'm answering to minor bullshit right now, so maybe you are right. (That's Sarcasm)

Perhaps this response is merely further evidence of my point?

 

I mean, do whatever you want. I really couldn't give a flying frak, to tell you the truth. I just voted for physician, and explained why.

Edited September 22, 2010 by iNow

[Eddy]

Perhaps this response is merely further evidence of my point?

 

I mean, do whatever you want. I really couldn't give a flying frak, to tell you the truth. I just voted for physician, and explained why.

 

Yes of course its evidence. Like when calling someone hysteric over and over until he gets mad and afterwords claiming he proves your point. That's an old tactic isn't it? I mean look at you... You "don't give a flying frak" and you say words like "whatever" and "bullshit" proving you are really cool, while I'm just the defensive guy, because I care to explain things. Or maybe the fact that I'm answering is further proof?

 

I also see you come from the politics section and this along with your attitude says a lot. I'm sure you feel really powerful arguing over the internet. I'm going to stop feeding you now.

 

 

 

 

Edit: Seriously forum, I didn't expect this. I chose this forum just because it's "science" forums. I expected intelligent people to get some advise from, but what I got, except from two posts, is angry keyboard warriors. What a lovely community...

Edited September 22, 2010 by Déx

[timo]

My statements were never supposed to be offensive. You said that the reason you want to become a physician is because you want to be creative. I told you that I do not believe that a physician's job is about creativity - in fact, that I would seriously dislike it if my physician was creative instead of "acting upon the system he/she memorized".

 

You are free to blame the forum members about how nasty everyone is towards you if it makes you feel better. But perhaps consider the following points:

- Wonder why I focus on "working as a physician is not creative"? It's the only reason you gave for wanting to go into that direction. I dunno if it is your only reason -I doubt it-, but it's not exactly everyone else's fault if you're not providing anything else.

- How about just telling us where exactly you see the creativity in being a physician? Seriously, that's much more helpful (for you) than if I or Mr Skeptic tell you that there is not much creativity, there.

 

I don't actually appreciate being put into a drawer with iNow. I've put some thoughts into what I wrote and I don't exactly feel that you appreciate it. And you are in absolutely no position to judge my intelligence.

[Eddy]

- How about just telling us where exactly you see the creativity in being a physician? Seriously, that's much more helpful...

 

Very well, but before I do, let me clarify that:

-I wasn't the one that claimed your opinions are minor bullshit but the one who tried to explain himself better.

-If I'm wrong in anything then that's why I'm here, to get corrected.

-I didn't put you in the same category as iNow in respect to your hostility, rather than the fact you don't seem to understand my point.

-I'm really not here to argue, just get some extra advice... If you can help me then thank you, if not then thank you, but don't bother posting...

 

So here's the answer to your question in hopes it will put an end to the heated posting: My grandfather had been working on the red cross, my uncle is a general pathologist and my aunt a psychologist. Regarding the first two they've always been telling me stories about their work, how a patient was sick and nobody could figure out what they had, doctors had contradicting theories, when that old doctor came up with a theory no one else could think. Or when that nurse diagnosed a patient better than a doctor and secretly treated him. It got her fired, but she cured him. Now you might say that either these are 1% cases, or that my family likes Dr House too much... Or you can just give me some advice politely.

My aunt told me that there is nothing really interesting in psychology and that psychiatry is a field with much future and improvement.

[iNow]

You asked for opinions. I gave you mine. Perhaps you should have asked only for opinions which fit some preconceived parameters. Sorry if I didn't post in a way which you personally found helpful. My pen/keyboard often pokes with a blunted edge. It's not intended to be nasty, but direct. I was serious, though. My background is in psych and sciences of the mind. You are here continuously reacting in a way which no person inclined toward psychiatry ever should. It doesn't appear (based on the very few bits of data available to me based on your 8 posts here) that you are cut out for treating mental issues.

 

Regardless, do what you feel is right. Follow what you want. Nobody in an online forum can tell you how to spend the rest of your life. You must make that choice yourself.

[Mr Skeptic]

Please don't mind iNow, he's been suspended several times already for his attitude. I'd have to say though, that ignoring a rude person on an internet forum takes much less self-discipline than going through med school. In any case, if you came here seeking advice and then don't want to follow it, one must wonder what is the point. We've all one way or another said that psychiatry has more creativity to it than physician, that neither of these fields have much creativity to them, and that from the little we know our best guess is that you are not suited for either of these.

 

What I would suggest is that you ask your high school counselor (or whichever counselor you have, I'm pretty sure you have one). He knows you much better than we do and would have access to your grades, training or practice in helping people find their field.

[Eddy]

You guys are idiots...

I thought I would let the world witness my superiority, but you cannot shallow it.

There is much much creativity in Medicine, and you will realize that when I bring my dream to life. The incarnation of my genius.

THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE!!!!

I'm going to bring the next step in evolution, I'm going to force the hand of natural selection for the betterment of our world! I may be seen as an imbecile now, but I assure you the next generations will bow before me, my image will never die, I will become a GOD!!!

And all you little worms will reach your evolutionary purpose either you like it or not. You may struggle as the human centipedes. but then humankind will rise as a cocoon to a butterfly. Behold my Legacy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wmTv2nqTHo

[iNow]

You guys are idiots...

I thought I would let the world witness my superiority, but you cannot shallow it.

Yes, you'd clearly make a GREAT psychiatrist.

 

 

Btw... I think you meant "swallow" it.

Edited September 24, 2010 by iNow

[Eddy]

Please just kill me, but no, not this... NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

You sir will be the middle piece!

 

Edit: And as for swallowing you'll have plenty of time my little iNow Section of the centipede.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH0oLuCWulg

Edited September 24, 2010 by Déx

[iNow]

Please just kill me, but no, not this... NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

You sir will be the middle piece!

Yeah, except you quoted me as saying something which I never did. Please don't attribute quotes to me when the words were not ones I posted. Thanks.

[Cap'n Refsmmat]

I've had enough of this.