Which is Worse: MEDICINE or EDUCATION?

Posted on by

You may recall in a prior blog, I posed the question, Which is Worse: healthcare or the travel industry?
I decided to make “Which is worse?” a series. And so, Part II of “Which is worse” is medicine vs. education.
This is a tough one. I certainly don’t have an answer.
They are so d—- similar.

Both MEDICINE and EDUCATION have a heavy hand of administrators calling the shots. Both seem over- regulated. Both require so much documentation.
Teachers just want to teach. And doctors just want to care for patients.
Neither likes to be told how to do their job by higher-ups who are not qualified to teach or deliver medical care.

Both require plenty of standardized tests: EOGs, SATs, USMLE, MOC the list goes on. Teachers teach so students perform well on the EOG test. Med students memorize to simply pass the test. While this is understandable and necessary to a degree, it does not guarantee mastery of the information, nor critical thinking skills. More importantly, these standardized tests do not predict future success. Success is dependent on so many factors, not just a silly test score.

Both EDUCATION and MEDICINE are functioning in a one size fits all mentality.
Every student is taught the same way with the same classes, same assignments and same requirements regardless of theirs strengths or weaknesses. If the students don’t do well; it is the teacher who bears responsibility. Similarly, every patient is treated with cookbook medicine: a 51y male diabetic w hypertension must be on medicine A B & C regardless of cost or tolerability. They should meet numeric goals as set by guidelines. If not, the doctor doesn’t earn “preferred provider status.”

There are more similarities, but you get the idea.

Right now, they both earn a pretty poor grade.
If teachers and doctors do nothing and let the systems continue, they will both get a big fat F and FAIL.
But if teachers and physicians stand up, do what is right for their students and patients, they might just earn a passing grade.

What do you think? which is worse MEDICINE or EDUCATION?

1

About Amy Walsh, MD

Family always comes first: I am married to Whitey and can't imagine life without him. I have 4 great kids who screw up from time to time; but they are still pretty damn cool. Dog mom to 2 yellow labs who are exhausting and messy, but we love them. Happy DPC doctor since 2015 as the system wore me down and made me miserable. Luckily I found DPC. I found “my people” and never looked back. DPC was my best career decision without a doubt. Former varsity gymnast at the University of Michigan: I refer to those years as my “first life.” I learned about hard work, goal setting, and most importantly the value of true friendship. Hey, did you know UM gymnastics won NCAA Natty in 2021. Such a proud moment.Go Blue! Have been accused of being Type A, OCD, perfectionist, competitive. I may agree with most of those, but prefer words like focused, determined and committed. See? I have learned to use those all to my advantage.