This question was originally posted on Quora.com and was answered by Marco Brunelli, Ear Nose Throat specialist at Doctors (2012-present) Income. Well overrated means it's actually not as much as most people think. It's definitely not poverty level income nor comparable to most unskilled labor but yet, it doesn't represent years of permanent academic formation, competition, risk of lawsuit, working crazy hours, weekends, contacting infectious or work-related diseases…. So overall, I'd say generally it's not well paid considering all this. Of course it varies according which specialty you chose, region you work, and what stage have you reached in your professional (I'd say that first 5–10 years of your career are still considered entry-level job) Lifestyle/Social status. Some people imagine doctors as a kind of elite or relaxed citizen who already achieved a great status in society for just having a degree and spends his spare time golfing or sailing in his yatch. Well it might be true for some in particulary lucrative specialties or someone who slushes his life working. But overall lifestyle kind of sucks, high stress, high divorce rate, suicide rate, drug/alcohol abuse, usually relegating family and friends. Spare time? Probably read the new paper of my specialty, or fill up forms and reports, what about some goddamn sleep?! No wonder why many medics chose to switch to other professions. The Donjuan stereotype. Somehow people have the idea that hospitals or ER's are a liberal environment where everybody dates everybody, colleagues, nurses, secretaries they get into all sort of affairs. Well, of course there are promiscuous guys and girls who happen to be doctors and work in high stress environments that favour being hours away from home and responsibilities, but most of us aren't that keen in having an in work affair or flirtatious relationship with coworkers or patients! On shift you are probably more interested in catching a nap, snack or restore your caffeine levels, chill out, calling someone from the outside. And when off of working environment (real life), well I personally avoid or leave unmentioned my profession unless asked, since it happens to attract girls that have only N° 1 in mind. The smart/genius House M.D that everybody thinks doctors must be for having pulled off such a hard career. Well it might be mostly persistence, patience and and resistance to failure. It helps having a curious mind, being systematic and not suck at remembering things. I personally don't consider myself of a “superior intelligence” or gifted memory, but I love reading, learning new things of pretty much any subject, play an instrument and manual work (carpentry, gardening, etc). For sure I can't remember the Kreb's Cycle at this moment because it's irrelevant for what I do, and I guess most of my fellow doctors either. So, maybe just quit a bit of slacking, parties, sports or gaming and you are capable of coming through medschool . Thanks for reading. Cheers. Source
