If you're reading this, you're probably thinking about a career in medicine or healthcare.
You also might not be entirely sure what you're getting yourself into.
I know that even as a student, I'm still looking at this career through rose-tinted spectacles.
I've definitely had moments where I've found myself sincerely questioning whether medicine is really what I want to do for the rest of my life. Last year, especially, I constantly experienced pervasive thoughts that maybe I would have been better doing accounting or just something else, especially since I've been seeing a lot of my friends graduating, starting work, and getting ahead in their careers, while I'm still studying. There were moments when I felt incredibly overwhelmed with the content and thought - what's the point of all this study? Should I have chosen a different degree? Is it too late to change? Would I have been more successful in a corporate role? Why did I think medicine was a good idea? What were my initial reasons for pursuing medicine?
I'll admit, I lost quite a bit of motivation to study in 3rd year and felt much more uncertainty, which probably reflects my falling grades.
From clinical experience, I'm definitely feeling more positive about my career choice and don't regret it. But it's only now that I've started 4th year and am actually in hospitals, interacting with healthcare professionals, seeing patients, learning procedures and diseases, do I begin to understand what a career in medicine actually involves, since the first 3 years are all lecture-based learning. Just like any other degree, there really isn't much difference and to be completely honest, you forget most things you learned by the time you're in hospital anyway. I definitely remember my first attachment, when my house surgeon asked me what muscle was affected by a 6th nerve palsy and consequently, what would be clinical sign and I just totally blanked. (If you're wondering, it's lateral rectus, so you won't be able to turn your eye out).
Therefore, it comes as no surprise that entering 4th year is a time when many students start questioning their degree choice, and by now since they're halfway through, they feel that it's a waste of time and student loan to change tact.
Lots of studies have shown that established doctors are sick of their profession. Indifferent, dismissive, impatient and rapidly declining empathy. This often hits when students start clinical years seeing patients, so it's no surprise that 4th year is when there are highest rates of drop-outs.
The not-so-great things about medicine:
Lot's of doctors tell you to get out while you still can and I initially thought that they were joking.
But from quite a bit of research, I've read so many stories of doctors quitting medicine and/or continuing but hating and regretting their career choice.
I understand that this post might be kinda shocking and depressing, and I'm not trying to dissuade you from a career in medicine, but I firmly believe that these are all factors that you need to know.
It's like an investment - you need to know and understand the benefits and risks before getting into it. The same goes for your career.
So before you decide on a career in medicine, do your research. Talk to healthcare professionals if you can. Immerse yourself in the system. Read blogs and physician's stories.
Hope this gives a better insight into the career of medicine, and shows you that it's most definitely not like Grey's Anatomy. Some days are really good, and some days are totally shit. So before you hastily make a decision, or pursue medicine because your parents are pressuring you, take time to seriously think about it and make a list of reasons why YOU find medicine attractive, and reasons that make it less appealing. It'll also help your interview/application letter if you're at that milestone.
Keep in mind that medicine is definitely not the only rewarding career and that it's much better to find something that you love and wake up 40 years later still wanting to do it, than wake up in 40 years realising that you actually hate what you do.
You also might not be entirely sure what you're getting yourself into.
I know that even as a student, I'm still looking at this career through rose-tinted spectacles.
I've definitely had moments where I've found myself sincerely questioning whether medicine is really what I want to do for the rest of my life. Last year, especially, I constantly experienced pervasive thoughts that maybe I would have been better doing accounting or just something else, especially since I've been seeing a lot of my friends graduating, starting work, and getting ahead in their careers, while I'm still studying. There were moments when I felt incredibly overwhelmed with the content and thought - what's the point of all this study? Should I have chosen a different degree? Is it too late to change? Would I have been more successful in a corporate role? Why did I think medicine was a good idea? What were my initial reasons for pursuing medicine?
I'll admit, I lost quite a bit of motivation to study in 3rd year and felt much more uncertainty, which probably reflects my falling grades.
From clinical experience, I'm definitely feeling more positive about my career choice and don't regret it. But it's only now that I've started 4th year and am actually in hospitals, interacting with healthcare professionals, seeing patients, learning procedures and diseases, do I begin to understand what a career in medicine actually involves, since the first 3 years are all lecture-based learning. Just like any other degree, there really isn't much difference and to be completely honest, you forget most things you learned by the time you're in hospital anyway. I definitely remember my first attachment, when my house surgeon asked me what muscle was affected by a 6th nerve palsy and consequently, what would be clinical sign and I just totally blanked. (If you're wondering, it's lateral rectus, so you won't be able to turn your eye out).
Therefore, it comes as no surprise that entering 4th year is a time when many students start questioning their degree choice, and by now since they're halfway through, they feel that it's a waste of time and student loan to change tact.
Lots of studies have shown that established doctors are sick of their profession. Indifferent, dismissive, impatient and rapidly declining empathy. This often hits when students start clinical years seeing patients, so it's no surprise that 4th year is when there are highest rates of drop-outs.
The not-so-great things about medicine:
- Long hours
- Lots of responsibility
- Getting comfortable with uncertainty
- An abundance of knowledge that you need to grasp
- If money is your motivation, the pay is not so great considering the workload - your friends will start earning before you
- You'll be exhausted. You'll feel uncaring. Yet still expected to show empathy to everyone - some patients do NOT make it easy
- You'll feel overwhelmed by the long career. If you think getting into medical school is hard, getting onto specialised training programmes is even tougher
- Constant study
- You probably won't be able to socialise with your non-med friends as much
- You likely won't be able to keep up all your hobbies
- There's a lot of moving around
- You're surrounded by suffering, disease and death
- You won't have time so won't eat or drink for hours
- You'll fail/make mistakes/fuck up: maybe even cost someone their life
- Feelings of inadequacy become the norm
- You'll experience depression/anxiety
Lot's of doctors tell you to get out while you still can and I initially thought that they were joking.
But from quite a bit of research, I've read so many stories of doctors quitting medicine and/or continuing but hating and regretting their career choice.
I understand that this post might be kinda shocking and depressing, and I'm not trying to dissuade you from a career in medicine, but I firmly believe that these are all factors that you need to know.
It's like an investment - you need to know and understand the benefits and risks before getting into it. The same goes for your career.
So before you decide on a career in medicine, do your research. Talk to healthcare professionals if you can. Immerse yourself in the system. Read blogs and physician's stories.
Hope this gives a better insight into the career of medicine, and shows you that it's most definitely not like Grey's Anatomy. Some days are really good, and some days are totally shit. So before you hastily make a decision, or pursue medicine because your parents are pressuring you, take time to seriously think about it and make a list of reasons why YOU find medicine attractive, and reasons that make it less appealing. It'll also help your interview/application letter if you're at that milestone.
Keep in mind that medicine is definitely not the only rewarding career and that it's much better to find something that you love and wake up 40 years later still wanting to do it, than wake up in 40 years realising that you actually hate what you do.
Oh med school can be so up and down! but remember Cs get degrees , and long hours don't nessecarily mean that you are 'working', but really you may be having coffees, sals pizzas, and watching the rugby! Stay positive!
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