Does political orientation affect specialty selection?

[Nikiforos]

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For example, it seems that politically liberal (Democrats?)doctors might be drawn to fields such as psychiatry, OBGYN, pediatrics, family practice, even PM&R. Does anyone think there might be some truth to this? Of course, there are always exceptions but I think that people are drawn to specialties that might be more welcoming to their political leanings.

 

[Sanman]

I think that you are right because peoples' political philosophies generally have to do with larger life philosophies and weigh in all of life's decisions. For example, a liberal democrat who feels that even poor people should be entitled to the best healthcare as well may work as an inner city pediatrician and a republican who believes everyone must earn their own money may try and focus on a career in a well paying specialty. However, both could go into IM and one could work in an inner city clinic and the other in a lucrative self-pay private practice in beverly hills. So it probably does influence specialty choice, but I believe it correlates more with the job you end up with more so than specialty choice.

 

[Adapt]

I'm a conservative republican and I want to go into family practice. I do not think there is such a correlation.

 

[Echinoidea]

I'm a liberal Liberal (registered) and I'm interested in surgery or EM. Allthough I don't think I'll fit in with most surgeons....

 

[dry dre]

I think your political orientation may largely influence your decision-making process in choosing a specialty, though two political polar opposites may find that the same specialty satisifes their individual interests. Some may "think of" EM as good money for relatively few hours per week with the negative of having to deal with a high percentage of indigent patients. Others choosing EM may see EM as an opportunity to provide primary care for the poor. I don't mean to knock EM here. Unless you're one of the former.

The generalizations are there, that family/psych/peds are full of liberals, whereas surgery/EM/ high-paying specialities are stocked with conservatives etc. The generalizations are just that, and are often wrong.

 

[uclacrewdude]

im liberal and i'm targeting EM b/c its as close as i can get to offering socialized medicine. i like the idea that everyone who comes through the door gets treated based on how badly they present, instead of discriminating based on socioeconomic status. moreover, since many people are losing coverage, this is a growing point of entry for many people. notably moreso for chicanos who arent fluent in english, so i want to be there to help guide them through the health care system to any degree i can (non-english speakers get billed up to 4x higher than caucasians) and be their advocate. my aim is to help the greatest number of people who need the most care, and EM would fulfill that for me, i think. to me its just the most direct way i can serve the community.

 

[raptor5]

How about me? I am liberal and conservative Independent. What field do I fit in? I hate partisanship.

 

[rbassdo]

Originally posted by uclacrewdude
im liberal and i'm targeting EM b/c its as close as i can get to offering socialized medicine. i like the idea that everyone who comes through the door gets treated based on how badly they present, instead of discriminating based on socioeconomic status.

Just out of curiosity...how do you feel about AA?

 

[uclacrewdude]

Originally posted by rbassdo
Just out of curiosity...how do you feel about AA?

i PMed you to avoid turning this into an Everyone Forum pissing contest.