The Richest Doctors? Guess!

not surprised by this at all.....docs have always been some of the top wage earners...and they believe that they are entitled to it!!!! 

My sister, an RN at a big hospital, considers orthopedic surgeons the most arrogant and oncologists the most humble.  They both may make a lot of money -- doesn't bother me -- but orthopedic surgeons mostly have happy customers in that they can fix the patient's problem with surgery, while oncologists have no absolute solutions to anyone's illness.  It must weigh heavily on them.  

I don't have an issue with their salaries, either.  All I can say is that the medical team that is together for me are worth every penny of their salaries and then some. 

I was quite surprised.The article begins by stating that physician's income has gone down overall. I did not expect that.  I missed where it said that oncologists were at the top of the heap. Can someone please direct me to where that is in the article? Thank you.

The salaries are not out of line considering the cost of their education, the cost of malpractice insurance, and the years of education before they can even begin to draw those salaries.  And I agree that oncology would be the most heart-breaking specialty.  My cousin is a pediatric trauma doctor, and he carries all those sad stories home with him.  Oncology would be the same, I guess. 

And yes, cancer is an industry unto itself between the oncs, radiologists, state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, pharmaceuticals, surgeons ... that is a whole other story.

But I still do not begrudge the doctors their salaries.  I do not want the cheapest doc working on me, I want the best!

Norah"

Wow.  I wonder if statements like this might make some breast cancer patients and supporters feel "crabby?"

My oncologists and other treatment providers deserve every penny they received, and then some.  There are lots and lots of overpaid people in this world, but it ain't the doctors who receive roughly $300,000 per year to save lives every single day!  Oh my.  Crabby, indeed.

norahamby

I went for my zometa infusion today. My onc came in with a big grin on her face,and said she was thrilled with my PET/cat scan result from 4/12. (She had called me on 4/13 after office hrs with result,so I would not have to worry over the weekend). She was so pleased.

When she examined me,she smiled also;tumors have shrunk considerably. So continue with the treatment plan.

I don't think for one second that the majority of docs are "in it for the money". As for wanting their patients to remain ill? BS!

Hey, I have a son, 22yrs old, in med school who will graduate in 3 more years with a student loan debt of $160,000.  (He knows fellow students who will owe more than $200,000, due to undergraduate and medical student loans.)  My son will then do a residency where he earns $50-60K for 3-4 years, working 80 - 120 hours per week.  Then he will do a specialty, where he earns just a little more for about 2-3 years.  I think by the time he earns the "big bucks," he will have earned it.  It's a good thing, because he's going to be paying on his medical school loan for a long, long time. 

I also know one of his friends, who, instead of going to med school, decided to use his bio degree in sales.  He's currently a medical sales rep for a large biotech co and earning $95,000 plus commission.  He only works 40-45 hours per week. 

I dont find this disturbing at all.  Besides all the school loans they owe, the years of commitment at little pay and long hours, etc. , I think for the most part they are truely interested in helping people.  Doctors and their friends and families are not immune from cancer.  To think that they would not want to find a cure is just crazy talk IMO.

For my medical team, they deserve a big fat raise and a cake with candles every friday thanking them for what they do.  

I was suprised the plastic sugeons weren't on top of the "heap". They probably are in my part of the country. Also Radiologist vs Radiological Oncologist(this might?) make a difference. I really believe my internist(PCP) is underpaid considering how much she helps me & how little my MO does for me.

EDA to correct some spelling

I don't find it disturbing, either.  What bugs me is the cost of hospitals, tests and pharmaceuticals.  And more than that, what really really really really p!$$&$ me off is that the doctors and hospitals bill the insurance company for, say 2000.  The insurance company pays 200.  The doctor has to accept 200.  The person without insurance...paying 2000.  WTF? 

Now, I know a whole lot of doctors are working out reduced costs for their unisnsured patients.  The hospitals?  Nope.  I knew someone who died of cancer...his family? (young wife of about 30 with no little or no education and children are 12 and 4) -- on the pay forever plan.

We need the health care bill to stay.  People like them need the health care bill to hold up...

But this isn't the doctors being selfish.  They deserve to get paid.  It just shouldn't be disproportionately by the uninsured.  We should be sharing the burden equally.  And...the family doctors and the pediatricians should be paid more equitably.  But less?  NO WAY.  You couldn't pay me enough to carry those burdens and those doctors deserve anything we can to make their years of education, their years of interning, their immense responsibilities worthwhile to them personally.  You cannot expect the heartwarming feeling of doing good to carry them through the toughest work. 

Considering yourself rich is not the same as being in the specialty that makes the most. Many people of moderate means consider themselves rich. That can be a measure of satisfaction with what you have.So my question is still not answered.

My oncologist works 12 hour days, sees all of his patients who are in the hospital, even if cancer is not the direct cause of their stay and works on numerous boards and committees. So no I do not think he is overpaid. Investment bankers, maybe, but not my doctors.

First off, our oncologists are not the specialty that will find a cure. That's not their job. That will happen in the universities and research facilities that are lucky enough to attract the funding for their work. Places like MDA, Sloan Kettering, etc.



This nonsense about our Drs being in it for the money comes from a very small minded place with little understanding whatsoever of the efforts and years it takes to become a Dr of any kind. Especially an oncologist.



I lost a brother in 1965 and my 9 year old sister in 1971 to childhood cancers. Evil neuroblastoma. Amazing strides have been made since those dark days. I remember the Drs and nurses came to both funerals and cried just as hard as we did.



They deserve every penny as far as I'm concerned.

That's fine with me--I had a great team being around at any hr. they were needed, they even sit with me at the hospital off hrs. and just talk--I always got hugged and they'd hold my hand so they earn every oenny.