ophtho_gunner Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 To suggest that Ophthalmology is as isolated as Dentistry is to the rest of the body is a glaring reflection of your medical aptitude. Either you are clearly ignorant of how a human body works or are driven by ego. Dentistry is isolated from the rest of the body? How about the impact of anatomical problems in the oral cavity including teeth on obstructive sleep apnea? How about the impact of congenital connective tissue disorders such as osteogenesis imperfecta on teeth ? How about the systemic impact of dental caries and chronic inflammation on cardiovascular risk? I do think each specialty is a remarkable demonstration of the immense progress humans have made from their caveman days and each professional contributes in advancing human knowledge and benefiting humans, even if a little. Signing off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrouchoMarx Posted May 5, 2014 Report Share Posted May 5, 2014 I don't agree with that opinion. In the June 2013 issue of the Ontario Medical Review, the OMA explicitly stated they try to reduce relative inequality in physician pay by giving larger increases to underpaid specialties and reduce (or at least, don't increase) fees for "overpaid" specialists. Perhaps other jurisdictions are happy to maintain the status quo, but it seems Ontario is attempting to slowly balance things out. They already tried, and it didn't go as planned. Because other jurisdictions are going to maintain the status quo, Ontario will also maintain it, otherwise high-powered ophthalmologists, radiologists and their ilk will leave. The reason those fields in particular have seen a boon to their incomes is technology. The only way to take it away is through technology. I would caution medical students that are concerned about income that pay differentials are probably going to be the same for the next few decades, just like the last few, barring technological advancements that redistribute the procedural wealth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mavrik13 Posted May 5, 2014 Report Share Posted May 5, 2014 They already tried, and it didn't go as planned. Because other jurisdictions are going to maintain the status quo, Ontario will also maintain it, otherwise high-powered ophthalmologists, radiologists and their ilk will leave. The reason those fields in particular have seen a boon to their incomes is technology. The only way to take it away is through technology. I would caution medical students that are concerned about income that pay differentials are probably going to be the same for the next few decades, just like the last few, barring technological advancements that redistribute the procedural wealth. This I don't believe. There are enough newly minted ophthalmologists, radiologists, etc who are looking for work and would snap up those jobs. There aren't dozens of job postings in other provinces for these positions, so where would they go? A few may leave - and if a decrease in pay from 750k to 650k is enough to make you leave, then you are probably in the business for all the wrong reasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkGhost Posted July 22, 2014 Report Share Posted July 22, 2014 Removed for being insensitive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Journey Man Posted July 22, 2014 Report Share Posted July 22, 2014 To the OP, there are always ways to do what you want (if you still want to do Ophthalmology that is). Unfortunately it will require hard work, and a lot more sacrifice. As I see you only want to do this one specialty and have no interest in any others and as such transfer is probably not a good option. If I were in your position, I would finish your Family Medicine residency. Its a 2 year sacrifice but it will allow you to pay off your loans, give you a very comfortable life which many don't have. In the mean time or after residency try to do research in the field of interest again. You may need a year of research at least while moonlighting. Try to be as prolific as possible, write Step1/2/3 perhaps during residency, and score very well on this. Pay off your loans, get some start up cash before applying broadly to the US and Round 2 of CaRMS if there is ever a spot - thats the only round you can apply to now as I understand. If some institution really likes you, they may keep a spot for Round 2 for you (I've heard of this happening for IMGs with connections) Since you've finished a Family Medicine residency, you can do a 3-year Opthalmology residency in US instead of the usual 4 thus saving you some time overall. If you somehow get a spot in Canada then great too but probably no time saved. If persistent, and you don't give up you can make this work. See this as a challenge and opportunity to pay off loans and get some vacation money before you apply again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerroger Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 I know a handful of people who were in this boat after finishing med school. They hated life as a FM resident. I don't blame them. It must be hell to be stuck in FM when you don't want it. However, now that they are done many of them actually seem pretty happy. They are either doing a fellowship in things they actually like, eg. emerg or anesthesia etc. One is not even seeing patients anymore and working for a pharmaceutical company. I even know of two people who re-entered CaRMS and matched into EROAD and another surgical specialty. It sucks when you don't want it, but FM is not a dead end. Most programs have a general training year. Your PGY1 FM year will be pretty similar to most other programs in this regards. Most of your rotations would count if you switched or redid CaRMS. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Two years of residency goes quick... Hang in there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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