[jyl]

General question - meant to invite discussion -

What do you think about becoming a MD today? Still a good profession? What are realistic expectations? How does this differ among the specialities and with primary care? Is the future physician-owned practice or employment? How can one become a MD without incurring crippling debt? What are the reasons to pursue an MD/PhD, and what are the reasons not to?

I have several doctor friends. One started a primary care group, then was hired as a top dog at OHSU. One is a pathologist and combines being head of pathology at a local hospital with a three day a week work schedule. One is a neurosurgeon who is struggling to maintain his private practice and thinking about bailing to become an employee somewhere. One was a Harvard researcher in endocrinology with practice at Mass General, who left academia and now works in clinical development for large pharma. One is a geneticist who has spent her career at small biotech companies in the Bay Area, managing drug development and works four days a week. One was a practicing doctor in New Zealand and the UK, then became chief medical officer at a small biotech company. A range of careers, all successful - the neurologist might be on the bubble - but they started decades ago, not today.