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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you were a doctor (assuming you're not already)...

110 replies

TheTitOfTheIceberg · 23/05/2019 16:36

...what would your speciality be?

I'd be torn between gynaecology to help the maximum number of women that I could (not least because we've been second class in so many areas of healthcare over the years) or endocrinology because it sounds fascinating and based on what little I know of it, it seems to be linked to so many other issues - it feels like we're still scratching the surface of what we know about hormones and their impact on various conditions.

(This is a very random musing - I have no medical connections at all, other than as a patient!)

OP posts:
AnAC12UCOinanOCG · 23/05/2019 16:48

I'm torn between dermatology because all of the amazing cysts I might get to squeeze, or a pathologist because I would love to do post mortems and figure out how someone died.

Original poster
TheTitOfTheIceberg · 23/05/2019 16:51

Pathology would be very interesting, but all that investigating on the side / getting kidnapped / having serial killers burst into your lab and threaten you might be a bit exhausting no I haven't watched too much Silent Witness why do you ask

OP posts:
alligatorsmile · 23/05/2019 16:54

Ooh I've always fancied dermatology too. Lord knows why. I think it's because my first reaction when I see pictures of severe skin diseases my first reaction is "Oh that poor person, that looks really uncomfortable" rather than "URGH"

Then again I quite fancy being a GP and being a shit-hot diagnosing machine.

Both of these fantasy scenarios include fantasy ability of course.

AnAC12UCOinanOCG · 23/05/2019 16:56

TheTitOfTheIceberg I'm willing to risk it. For Science.

Usuallyinthemiddle · 23/05/2019 16:57

If I've been watching Grey's then cardio or paeds. In truth, I think palliative care.

redstapler · 23/05/2019 16:57

Then again I quite fancy being a GP and being a shit-hot diagnosing machine

@alligatorsmile thank you! GP here, so many people think we are just failed surgeons who see coughs and colds all day......

Mac47 · 23/05/2019 17:01

Oncology or geriatrics.

Purpleartichoke · 23/05/2019 17:04

Neurology

I’ve had to have some nerve testing done and found the process fascinating.

GabrielleNelson · 23/05/2019 17:06

I know I'd be no good as a surgeon. Too squeamish, too indecisive and too clumsy. I might manage psychiatry or anaesthesia.

scaredofthecity · 23/05/2019 17:08

Anaesthetics. Fascinating and underappreciated area of medicine.

Also offers a better work/ life balance than many specialities.

iklboo · 23/05/2019 17:08

Trauma - so much variety.

FormerlyFrikadela01 · 23/05/2019 17:10

Psychiatry without a doubt, always been attracted to mental health (I'm a registered mental health nurse).

Soulsista14 · 23/05/2019 17:12

Another one for psychiatry. I’m very squeamish and couldn’t deal with anything related to prodding and poking at bodies.

MrsDilligaf · 23/05/2019 17:14

I'd be an Anaesthetist. I've been watching a TV programme about Surgeons recently and mentioned to DH that I want to retraim to be an Operating Department Practitioner.

I should never have listened to my mum when she told me not to be a nurse...

Original poster
TheTitOfTheIceberg · 23/05/2019 17:14

Oh yes, psychiatry would be another fascinating one. I was once part of a trial for a new drug which involved being wired up to some sort of brain scanner and then watching clips of comedy videos.

redstapler Between me and my DH we are a medical encyclopaedia of conditions and disabilities and have seen countless specialists, yet some of the best,most empathetic and switched-on doctors we've ever seen have been GPs. I just couldn't cope with all the bare feet you have to see (podiatry definitely wouldn't be my speciality ).

OP posts:
dottiedodah · 23/05/2019 17:15

Defo paeditriacs for me .My friend is a childrens nurse. And DS1 had some medical issues at birth, and we were in hospital a lot .Doctors and the nurses too were all amazing!

Stravapalava · 23/05/2019 17:17

Neonatal / paeds for me. Or geriatrics.

Intothe · 23/05/2019 17:20

Psychiatry for me too. Or obstetrics.

happybunny007 · 23/05/2019 17:22

Can I hoover peoples ears please?!

Ces6 · 23/05/2019 17:23

I couldn't be an anaesethist as I would worry that my maths would end up killing someone. I would like to be a speech therapist - in fact I really should have studied this!

Ces6 · 23/05/2019 17:24

Actually not sure that counts as "dr"? But I'm a bit squeamish so couldn't deal with anything to do with body fluids!

floraloctopus · 23/05/2019 17:25

GP or psychiatrist.

Original poster
TheTitOfTheIceberg · 23/05/2019 17:26

Can I hoover peoples ears please?!

So long as your patients won't be Dyson with death.

OP posts:
Balula · 23/05/2019 17:28

Respiratory, mainly because I know most about it due to DS's condition. If not trauma.

spiderlight · 23/05/2019 17:29

I quite fancy pathology - fascinating, would hopefully help to bring closure to bereaved relatives, and there'd be no risk of me accidentally killing someone!