So you want to be a doctor eh -- you sure about that? Is this the only thing you see yourself doing in the future? Is this what you want to be more than ANYTHING else in the world? Are you willing to make sacrifices financially, socially, and to your family life? Well these are only some of the questions you need to be asking yourself, because these days, being a doctor requires sacrifice, dedication, and an understanding of the journey that lies ahead of you...
Lets take me. I did 4 years of undergrad, followed by a year of research before applying to med school, then 4 years of med school, then I decided I wanted to be a cardiologist, so it was 3 years of internal medicine residency, followed by 3 years of a cardiology fellowship of which I am in my last year, and then decided I want to be an interventional cardiologist, so I have one more year for that starting in July. If I wanted I could do even ANOTHER year to learn advanced things such as peripheral or structural interventions allowing me to do a greater variety of procedures. If I did that, I would be 35 when I am finally done "training" and be an attending physician. I am pretty sure some of my banker friends will be close to retirement by the time I have built up any sort of practice. I will also finally start being able to pay back all my debt from schooling.... at 35.
I decided I wanted to be a doctor at some point during college. Of course I went in intending to be "pre-med", but so is half the class. At some point early in my second year I was sure that medicine was the path for me. But I don't think i really understood what was involved in becoming a doctor at that time (let alone in high school). You think, yeah I'll go to med school, graduate, do a residency for a couple of years, and become a doctor. But it is never that simple.
It is stressful. You have to first kick-ass in college and take the MCATS and get IN to med school. (of course there are various options if you don't "make it" like foreign med schools and D.O. schools... but in general, its not simple to get in to med school). After med school you have to apply to a residency, which again can be very competitive for the good spots. After that maybe a fellowship, which gain is very competitive, especially for certain fields. And of course along the way there are endless board exams, and certification exams that will continue for the rest of your life...
I ended up taking a year off after college (which is not uncommon) to do some research and help boost my chances when I applied a bit. Though honestly, it was more for me to take a break between schooling and to chill for a year like a normal person before investing myself in the arduous journey that lay ahead. I actually would recommend this to others as well. It gives you a chance to boost your application somehow, and perhaps gain a little perspective on what you want to do, not to mention gives your mind to relax, and of course gives you another year to perhaps win the lottery or acquire some inheritance that would get you off the hook! Some people decide on med school late and do a year or two of post-bacc classes, or even do research for several years before applying, so a year is no biggie. The downside is yes, another year means another year of your life, which can start to become an issue, especially when the years of training start to add up, particularly if you are trying to raise a family or something and need money! On the other extreme is the 7 year med programs. They guarantee entry from a college to med school program, and you save a year of your life. The downside for me in that decision (which I almost did too) is that, do you REALLY know you want to be a doctor in high school?? I think its a big commitment to make, and I feel you need to experience college with an open mind and with a non-determined pathway for your future so you can decide for yourself what it is that you want to do in the future. Also 4 years of college is probably the only time you'll be able to take classes and learn about things that you will never again learn, and there are many opportunities that could be missed. But then again, if you know for sure, saving the years of training is also a benefit (especially for women wanting to start families!)
After you get into med school, then you have to survive. But chances are if you got in, you generally have been selected out because you are good at memorizing, you are good at taking tests, you can study A LOT and not burn out, and you won't pass out when you see dead bodies and blood. When you hit the clinical rotations, you will feel out the various fields and decide what you want to do. I would say most of the time, people have an idea of what they want to do--so they think--until they rotate through that field and realize there is no way they could do that.. Most commonly its the people who say I want to be a neurosurgeon or something, and realize how insane of a commitment and sacrifice that is, and wisen up and decide to do E.R. or Anesthesia. Usually its the smart girls who later wisen up and realize they want to have a family at some point.
Being a doctor is nothing like on T.V. There is a lot of paperwork, long hours, physical and emotional stress, and the "bread and butter" things of a field are often not as glamorous and exciting as the rare instances that are often the attractiveness of it. That you will learn when you spend time with real doctors. Also it is not easy to get into some fields, so if you go in saying "I want to be a dermatologist, or a neurosurgeon, or whatever, and nothing else" You may not get what you dreamed of doing. So take that into account.
Location is always an issue. If you want to stay in New York or L.A. for example, so does everyone else. So you may not get the training program you want in the city you want. So are you willing to go to another state to get the training you want? For many, including me, the isssue becomes after your training. You may get into great residency and fellowship programs in New York, but when you are done, there will be no jobs available in that area! Oversaturated New York is a perfect example. You may look hard to find a job that you work your ass off for, and get paid half what you would in Texas or Florida or Tennessee. Are you willing to sacrafice your life in New York to go to the middle of nowhere? Do you have a family to convince? The scenarios go on....
And remember, these days, doctors dont get paid as much as we used to. With health care reform, insurance company policies, malpractice insurance, don't expect to be rolling in money, because you will not be. Reimbursment drops everyday, some fields more than others, but I think it will continue on that path. I think its insane for the sacrifices we make, the time we spend, and the work we do, that people think we should not be paid well, and we don't earn what we deserve. But thats is whole other discussion....
Anyway, I'lll end the rant here. But feel free to ask if anyone has questions. In the end I am happy and I like what I do. Yeah it sucks that the job market isn't great in NY, and it sucks that we don't get paid as much as we used to, and I don't like waking up at 6am everyday, but I do like what I do. But I was comfortable with the sacrifice I had to make, and I enjoy the work I do and people I work with. I am single, and I don't know how some of these people do medical training with not just a spouse, but multiple kids! Good for ya'll. And girls, always ask yourself your priorities and what you want not just for work in the future, but family. Are you married? Plan on getting married? When do you want kids? I am not trying to be sexist, but yet another important thing to think about, as raising a baby in a busy residency program is doable but not the easiest in the world (so I hear....), not to mention that biological clock!
So if I haven't scared you off the medical path, good luck to you. If it is truly what you want to do for the right reasons, you will be happy in the end, proud of the difficult feat you have accomplished, and your non medical friends will respect you (even if some patients and their lawyers don't!)
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