Comments for Student Doctor Network

Comment on MCAT 2015: Changes to the Exam by GK

GK — Thu, 24 May 2012 05:57:27 +0000

Personally, I have a completely different opinion. I think the MCAT itself is social injustice, because it selects for people with money. Poor people have more trouble affording the preparation materials necessary to get a good mark on the highly questionable “subjective reading” section (mproperly labeled as “verbal reasoning”) which tests one’s ability to read poorly written articles (primarily self-published books and theses) with grammar mistakes galore, and come up with subjective answers (in many of AAMC’s FL practice tests, the answers they chose as correct are flawed – even after reading their reasoning).

The MCAT was designed to “solve” the “problem” of soaring medicine dropout rates in 1920′s. Like many solutions, one has to ask what the real problem actually was, and whether the “problem” still exists in the 1920′s.

I use quotation marks around “problem” because I am also skeptical that there was an actual problem. It seems really strange and highly subjective that students were quickly becoming less committed at finishing medical school without some external reason (otherwise, why would the same formula not also apply to all faculties?). Could the statistics that brought the MCAT into existence even be artificially induced for some reasons that are inappropriate, such as to limit who is allowed into medical school based on social status?

Comment on SDN Reports: The DNP Degree by bryce

bryce — Tue, 22 May 2012 23:48:09 +0000

If NP’s want to be responsible for providing independent care to patients why don’t they do it like the DOs did? Osteopaths decided to create curriculums in which they learn and test on exactly the same MEDICAL courses as MDs (and by this I am talking they learn it at the same level, using the same books, taking the same board certification exams, etc) while complementing it with the major principles of osteopathic medicine (OMM, preventive medicine, whole body approach etc). Because of this MDs look at DOs as their equals. Why? Because they decided to learn medicine before practicing medicine. Why don’t the NPs practice some integrity and commonsense and do it the right way: promote a single national accreditation committee which standardizes and oversees established curriculums (similar to the ACGME and LCME) which includes medical courses incorporated with the principles of nursing? Then they can take the USMLE just as the DOs do and if they pass all three then sure allow them to apply to US residency programs.

Comment on SDN Reports: The DNP Degree by nance

nance — Tue, 22 May 2012 23:17:43 +0000

This DNP movement is absolutely nothing new. I am not sure why everyone here is so shocked by it. If they want to dilute an already sub par degree let them. They are the same as chriopractors, hollisticians, podiatrists, optometrists etc. Let them build their nurse practitioner diploma mills imagining that they can practice medicine without ever actually learning real basic science at the college level let alone medical science –> http://www.usmle.org/pdfs/step-1/2012content_step1.pdf (topics of what real physicians learn during just the first two years of medical school; note that each topic listed may account for just the heading of an area which is covered in a standard medical school curriculum by 100s/1000s of pages of notes (in my medical school our module exams occur roughly every 3.5 weeks and each module exam week consists of 5-7 days of 4hr long exams covering 800-1500 pages of notes. We are systems based so at various point of the year we were taking/testing on up to 11 classes at a time. Also at the end of each course we were expected to know everything (biochemistry final –> 4,700 pages, physiology final–> 2,300 pages etc etc) and pass these finals while learning and testing on new modules. Each DNP program basically makes up its own curriculum and calls it a day. Its actually pretty sad that this is actually even a discussion/argument. On another note I think that CNA’s and LPN’s are equally if not more qualified to perform the same tasks as BSNs/MSNs even though they received half the amount of schooling. Anyone agree?

Comment on SDN Reports: The DNP Degree by Geoff

Geoff — Tue, 22 May 2012 18:46:50 +0000

As a PharmD whose career progression is at a dead end due the obvious rivalry between professions, I believe the DNP is a better career progression. Med schools allow no mid-level access. The MCAT and repeating all the prerequisites is the only pathway. MD’s have less respect than NP’s at my institution. In this rural area, the MD’s in ambulatory and inpatient are 80% foreign-born. I won’t comment what countries, but the people clamor to see the NP’s. What hole has the medical profession dug itself into when foreign docs and 24 year old residents have become the face of the profession to many?

Comment on Disparities Cloud Health Improvements In Past Decade, Report Finds by orangman

orangman — Tue, 22 May 2012 17:53:12 +0000

Big Govt has a good point–it would be nice if healthcare worked like a free market. The problem is that to do so would be ugly. What happens to the working poor who cannot afford health insurance or whose jobs don’t offer it? Do we just let them not be treated for curable problems, in the name of free market?

You see, while in a free market, people can go without buying the newest iphone, in healthcare, people HAVE to buy the good and it thus becomes different. But I agree with you, the more free-market-ism we can have the better–personal health savings accounts, for example.

Comment on Interview Feedback by Docotrs reference | Audodo

Docotrs reference | Audodo — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:03:27 +0000

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Comment on SDN Reports: Pharmacist Job Outlook by pharmd718

pharmd718 — Tue, 22 May 2012 00:28:19 +0000

PharmNY – I can’t speak for the other PharmD’s who have posted on this board but you are way off your mark if you think they have self motivating intentions and are just looking to secure work for the next 6-8 years. My work in hospital pharmacy represents a very small part of my income. I own several commercial/residential buildings in prime area’s that are mortgage free. One of my bi-monthly paychecks from the hospital goes to my wife (who does not work) to spend on “stuff”…so my job is definitely not the source of income that I would like to protect from new grads. As a matter of fact, I go out of my way to get the students who come through our doors as excited about the profession as possible.

That said…If the market and the economy remains the same for the near future and my son was to tell me that he is interested in pharmacy…I would discourage him. It does not matter if he will make 87k or 60k after taxes…..that does not matter if you can’t find a job in the first place! When I graduated they were lining up to hire us. This year 50% of the grads did not have a job lined up upon graduation. That is huge.

Currently st. john’s is charging 25k per semester. Students finish pharmacy school with 200k+ in loans. A co-worker is paying 2k per month for his loans (recent grad) and is putting as much overtime as possible to pay his bills. He is hoping to pay off his loan in a couple of years and then save for a few more so he will have a down payment for a house. 100k per year is nothing! Especially if you live in NY! Especially if you have a family to support! Especially if you have a mortgage payment.

…..And not every retail pharmacy that opens in NY is a success. I have seen more then my share of pharmacy closures.

Comment on Getting into Medical School by Rich Morris

Rich Morris — Mon, 21 May 2012 19:16:52 +0000

I would like to ask what is the average cost now to get into medical school in the USA. Thanks.

Comment on Nurses’ Push For Bigger Role Gets Powerful Ally by Sarah

Sarah — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:35:44 +0000

THESE ARE DIFFERENT JOBS!

It’s amazing how much anger and angst individuals get when discussing this. We all chose our specific profession – they are not the same and we all have limitations based on our training.

MDs – You chose to get the longest training, super long, super expensive, comprehensive knowledge but often pushed out of primary care, also best compensated with most prestige and scope of practice
vs.
NPs – Chose shorter training, don’t have the same expertise, title, etc. They do have expertise, especially in patient communication, lifestyle counseling, coordination of care, etc and many more of them go into primary care.

MDs – Don’t get your panties in a bundle because someone else wants to immunize some kids or diagnose strep throat. (It’s true: your 11 years and 250k weren’t necessary to do this safely.)
NPs – Don’t assume you have the same level of knowledge. Figure out your niche and refer patients to MDs when they need more expertise.

I think the IOM is in the right direction, but none of us can sort this out if we’re all just angry about our own sacrifices and choices. My 2 cents…

Comment on SDN Reports: Pharmacist Job Outlook by MVP

MVP — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:41:46 +0000

Run while you can – I started at age 49, graduated at 53 with $180K+ in debt, and wish I could go back and undo the whole thing…but I made my bed so now I have to lie in it.