25 years old and deep in debt

[Savonarola]

Why is there an assumption that the humanities can help develop the social capacity of human beings better than, say, law or medicine?

In North America law and medicine are graduate degrees.  Law is usually preceded by a humanities or social science degree; so that the lawyer would have already developed his social capacity.  Medicine, on the other hand, usually requires a science degree.  Without his social capacity properly developed the medical student has decided that his life work will be to heal the sick.  It's tragic, really.

[CountDeMoney]

Why is there an assumption that the humanities can help develop the social capacity of human beings better than, say, law or medicine?

In North America law and medicine are graduate degrees.  Law is usually preceded by a humanities or social science degree; so that the lawyer would have already developed his social capacity.  Medicine, on the other hand, usually requires a science degree.  Without his social capacity properly developed the medical student has decided that his life work will be to heal the sick.  It's tragic, really.

I always found it interesting how, during orientation for new house staff at You Know Where, they would spend 30 minutes on ethics and 90 minutes on federal insurance procedures.

The medical school's bookstore is the same way:  there's a single shelf with about 5 paperback titles on medical ethics, and then there's four rows of monster shelving on malpractice insurance.

Medical Ethics = Electives

[MadImmortalMan]

I see no reason why medicine shouldn't be a bachelor's degree. It doesn't take twelve years of school to set a broken bone. Higher surgery and such maybe more, but the average GP isn't out there doing open heart surgery.

[DontSayBanana]

I see no reason why medicine shouldn't be a bachelor's degree. It doesn't take twelve years of school to set a broken bone. Higher surgery and such maybe more, but the average GP isn't out there doing open heart surgery.

Isn't that pretty much the definition of a "nurse practitioner?"

[MadImmortalMan]

I see no reason why medicine shouldn't be a bachelor's degree. It doesn't take twelve years of school to set a broken bone. Higher surgery and such maybe more, but the average GP isn't out there doing open heart surgery.

Isn't that pretty much the definition of a "nurse practitioner?"

Yeah something which came along because the doctors are all over-educated.

[LaCroix]

I see no reason why medicine shouldn't be a bachelor's degree. It doesn't take twelve years of school to set a broken bone. Higher surgery and such maybe more, but the average GP isn't out there doing open heart surgery.

filter, not to mention there is a lot of complexity and nuances to medicine, law, etc., thus requiring more years of education

[The Brain]

I see no reason why medicine shouldn't be a bachelor's degree. It doesn't take twelve years of school to set a broken bone. Higher surgery and such maybe more, but the average GP isn't out there doing open heart surgery.

Alternative medicine.

[alfred russel]

I see no reason why medicine shouldn't be a bachelor's degree. It doesn't take twelve years of school to set a broken bone. Higher surgery and such maybe more, but the average GP isn't out there doing open heart surgery.

I don't think I like the idea of seeing a MD who is 21 years old.

If there is one group of people I'd rather err on the side of overeducation, it is MDs.

[The Brain]

I see no reason why medicine shouldn't be a bachelor's degree. It doesn't take twelve years of school to set a broken bone. Higher surgery and such maybe more, but the average GP isn't out there doing open heart surgery.

I don't think I like the idea of seeing a MD who is 21 years old.

If there is one group of people I'd rather err on the side of overeducation, it is MDs.

Wat abot nukular men?

[Josquius]

I see no reason why medicine shouldn't be a bachelor's degree. It doesn't take twelve years of school to set a broken bone. Higher surgery and such maybe more, but the average GP isn't out there doing open heart surgery.

I don't think I like the idea of seeing a MD who is 21 years old.

If there is one group of people I'd rather err on the side of overeducation, it is MDs.

You wouldn't.
Medicine is a bachellors but it takes longer than an ordinary bachellors and IIRC requires a year of practice too.

[Eddie Teach]

I see no reason why medicine shouldn't be a bachelor's degree. It doesn't take twelve years of school to set a broken bone. Higher surgery and such maybe more, but the average GP isn't out there doing open heart surgery.

I don't think I like the idea of seeing a MD who is 21 years old.

If there is one group of people I'd rather err on the side of overeducation, it is MDs.

Wat abot nukular men?

Like Homer Simpson? I don't think more school would help.

[alfred russel]

I see no reason why medicine shouldn't be a bachelor's degree. It doesn't take twelve years of school to set a broken bone. Higher surgery and such maybe more, but the average GP isn't out there doing open heart surgery.

I don't think I like the idea of seeing a MD who is 21 years old.

If there is one group of people I'd rather err on the side of overeducation, it is MDs.

Wat abot nukular men?

Well, the news does get a bit more interesting when things go awry...

[Ideologue]

Why is there an assumption that the humanities can help develop the social capacity of human beings better than, say, law or medicine?

In North America law and medicine are graduate degrees.  Law is usually preceded by a humanities or social science degree; so that the lawyer would have already developed his social capacity.  Medicine, on the other hand, usually requires a science degree.  Without his social capacity properly developed the medical student has decided that his life work will be to heal the sick.  It's tragic, really.

I always found it interesting how, during orientation for new house staff at You Know Where, they would spend 30 minutes on ethics and 90 minutes on federal insurance procedures.

The medical school's bookstore is the same way:  there's a single shelf with about 5 paperback titles on medical ethics, and then there's four rows of monster shelving on malpractice insurance.

Medical Ethics = Electives

So?  Ethics in any profession boils down to "don't exploit people, avoid conflicts of interest."

I imagine anyone on Languish could take the MPRE cold and have a good chance of passing it.  I mean, sure, it's because they know what they're supposed to say, but...

[fhdz]

I see no reason why medicine shouldn't be a bachelor's degree. It doesn't take twelve years of school to set a broken bone. Higher surgery and such maybe more, but the average GP isn't out there doing open heart surgery.

Isn't that pretty much the definition of a "nurse practitioner?"

Physician's Assistant, too. They're largely equivalent except that a PA has to be set up under an existing MD whereas an NP can set up their own practice. PAs are often given quite a bit of autonomy, though.

[MadImmortalMan]

I see no reason why medicine shouldn't be a bachelor's degree. It doesn't take twelve years of school to set a broken bone. Higher surgery and such maybe more, but the average GP isn't out there doing open heart surgery.

I don't think I like the idea of seeing a MD who is 21 years old.

If there is one group of people I'd rather err on the side of overeducation, it is MDs.

Then don't complain about the cost of healthcare. Over a century ago doctors came to your house like the pizza guy does and cost about as much. Now, it's swung completely the other way. I think maybe something in the middle would do us some good.