mihan: Check out these threads that I had seen a while ago. Maybe they can give you some "ammunition" for your discussions with your parents, or maybe you can share with them. As an RN married to an MD, I can attest to the fact that, while the income may be good compared to the average, it is shrinking, as is the "prestige" of the profession and the satisfaction that the practitioners derive from it. At the same time the stress, threat of lawsuits, hours, hassles of dealing with insurance cos. and hospital admin. (and even, unfortunately, dealing with other doctors), etc. all are on the increase. Most doctors I know say that they love taking care of their patients, but that they hate all the other "crap". About a 50/50 split on whether or not they would do it again (my H. is in the 50% that would). Interestingly, we know very few kids-of-physicians who are planning on medical school! I have one engineer and two who are hoping for classical music careers. Husband always says that you have to really want it and be willing to make the personal sacrifices (kind of like budding musicians!). On the other hand, there is a huge need and shortages (of both MDs and RNs) predicted. Who will be left to take care of us? Kind of scary.
What do you think... is med school worth it for the kids? To the MDs out there: are you happy?