The medical profession in Houston & TX (Dallas, Center: health insurance, homes)

[futexan]

As a future Texan,I have some younger relatives & friends who are considering to study in Houston or TX & follow the medical profession.

I am interested in people who are doctors or in the med business & know things first - hand. Also,the pros & cons of the profession.Any info or story which can be helpful to future doctors.

[futexan]

...Well ,not many doctors visit City-Data forum...

[pikato]

Um...I work in the Medical Center (not a doctor) but if your friends are seriously looking into it, most of the Hospital's include in-depth 'welcome' packages to prospective doctors. Heck, even when I was considering coming here, they had all sorts of stuff for me....

[futexan]

I read stuff about starting salaries of...$ 150 K,I just want to know if they really exist...

[ny2texas]

starting salary etc all would depend on your specialty, whether you are hospital-based or in private practice etc. getting a license to practice in TX is a long drawn out process and expensive. i know TX is attractive to many surgical specialities because they instituted malpractice reforms a few years ago.....
hope that helps....

[professorsenator]

Originally Posted by ny2texas

starting salary etc all would depend on your specialty, whether you are hospital-based or in private practice etc. getting a license to practice in TX is a long drawn out process and expensive. i know TX is attractive to many surgical specialities because they instituted malpractice reforms a few years ago.....
hope that helps....

My wife is a physician, went to medical school in Texas, and we many friends who are physicians in Texas (who practice in both fully clinical and also clinical/educational/research settings). Here are some perspectives:

- Houston's Texas Medical Center offers, overall, excellent medical care. Best in TX. The VA at the TMC is one of the best in the U.S., too.

- UT-Southwestern in Dallas is excellent, too.

- Outside of the high prestige areas (i.e. TMC in Houston, UT-S'wstern in Dallas) Texas health care is not especially remarkable compared to the rest of the U.S. (i.e. not worse but not better, either).

- In general--and especially at the upper-management level--medicine in Texas continues to be very much a "good old boy" system and is generally less progressive than many other parts of the U.S.

- Physician salaries are pretty high compared to many other parts of the U.S.

- As is common in many places in the U.S., a number of rural areas in TX have had some difficulty attracting and retaining physicians.

- Health insurance coverage rates in Texas (i.e. the percentage of the population with insurance) is among the worst in the U.S. Consequently, there is a starkly bifurcated delivery system (i.e. one for those with insurance versus one for those without) that is more pronounced in TX than it is in many other states.

- The Texas Medical Association is very well organized and well funded. It is considered one of the most powerful interest groups in the state. But it is a very business-oriented organization and focuses more on the economics of medicine and less on public health policy.

[futexan]

Intereresting.
What about the infamous malpractice insurance,is it truly expensive or hype...?

MSN site claims that doctors' salaries start at $150K & may go as high as $250-300 K...

What about the total time of studying...Is it 6 years + 2 as an intern ?

[professorsenator]

Originally Posted by futexan

Intereresting.
What about the infamous malpractice insurance,is it truly expensive or hype...?

MSN site claims that doctors' salaries start at $150K & may go as high as $250-300 K...

What about the total time of studying...Is it 6 years + 2 as an intern ?

I presume you are unfamiliar with medical education and training in the U.S.???

An MD is done in 4 years after one has completed an undergraduate bachelor's degree (i.e. 4 years undergraduate + 4 years medical school). After medical school is residency. The first year of residency is commonly referred to as "internship" but in most instances internship is part of residency. Residency is 3 to 5 years, depending on specialty. Some highly specialized fields (surgery sub-specialties, for example) require an additional year or two of fellowship after residency (i.e. 5 years residency + 1 or 2 year fellowship) Thus, total time varies.

For example, a family practice doctor would do 4 years undergraduate + 4 years medical school + 3 years residency. Total years education/training: 11. OTOH, a pediatric neurosurgeon would do 4 years undergraduate + 4 years medical school + 5 years residency + 2 year fellowship. Total years education/training: 15.

Salaries vary highly. Physicians are paid a salary for the 3 to 5+ years they are in residency and fellowship. This salary (around $30-50K/year) is usually very low comparaed to full post-residency salaries. After residency, salaries escalate dramatically. Psychiatry is notoriously low paid--some earn around $100-$120K/year. A routine family practice doc or pediatrician might earn $125-200K; Internal medicine: $150-250K; ER doc: $200-300K; Cardiologist or OB/GYN: $250-500K. A specialized surgeon: $500-$800k/year. "Glamour docs" (i.e. plastic surgeon, LASIK surgeon) can do over $1m/year. Though considered more prestigious, academic jobs often pay a bit less than purely clinical jobs. These salary figures are pre-tax income after business expenses are paid (i.e. after paying for office staff, overhead, med-mal insurance, etc.). In addition to these salaries physicians are usually provided benefits such as health/life/disability insurance, 401K or 403b match, CME reimbursement, etc. Unlike the corporate and other sectors, post-residency physician salaries do not generally escalate dramatically over a professional life. For example, in a practice with a 60 year old veteran and a 35 year old (relative) newcomer, the salary difference between the two would likely be relatively modest. Thus, talk of "starting" salary is not used much in medicine.

I have seen nothing to indicate that Texas' rates are significantly higher or lower than other parts of the nation. Med-mal rates are highly dependent upon specialty, practice setting, and other factors. The popular perception is that med-mal rates are primarily driven by tort laws. In fact, tort laws are only one factor (and not the biggest, BTW).

[futexan]

Excellent comment, prof/senator ...

Reality is that around age 35 ,a doctor starts making big money...

In his 40s,he can afford a lifestyle with country clubs,golf courses,million dollar homes...

It really is the most esteemed profession...

[professorsenator]

Originally Posted by futexan

Reality is that around age 35 ,a doctor starts making big money...In his 40s, he can afford a lifestyle with country clubs...

He or *SHE* can afford a very comfortable lifestyle. There's enough gender bias in medicine; let's not perpetuate it.