Anyone can become a doctor, but perhaps not everyone should

[Halcyon Days]

So I'm sitting at home yet again on a Saturday studying for my USMLE Step 3. I've come to the conclusion of what I stated in the title. I went to Ross and studied pretty hard...I think perhaps harder than most but some in my class would probably argue otherwise. I can think of a dozen reasons why I went to medical school, perhaps one of them was to prove something to myself. Having gotten to where I am now I can't help to look back with some disdain.

How many days of my life have I given up? How many more will I give up in the future? I have friends who went to business school and law school who own houses, cars...you know, the materialistic stuff. Some of them have kids and families now. When I was coming out of college I don't think I looked at things the same as I do now. I heard about all the sacrifice that had to be made to become a doctor and didn't really care. As I've gotten older though, each sacrifice just seems to become more and more of a burden.

Everyone who's gone to medical school or even college knows that one person in their class who studies a week(day?) before the exam and aces it. They pick things up like sponges and don't seem to have a care in the world. I'd like to consider myself to be at least slightly above average in intelligence but there is no way I could get away with anything less than studying like crazy...as I did in med school. I think to myself, perhaps those are the people that should be left to become doctors. Maybe they are the only ones who don't allow medicine to consume them. I've met many attendings who joke about knowing nothing other than medicine because they've devoted their lives to it and have no time for anything else; the sad part is they're not really joking. I don't want to become *that* but I think I'm heading down that road. Maybe that kid I remember from school who only had to read through whatever chapter in Harrison's one time and retain it is the only type of person who should have become a doctor.

Well I'm done whining. Just felt like typing for some reason and I don't exactly keep a diary or anything. Anyone else here feel the same? Anyone else regret becoming a doctor?

[chapaquito]

So I'm sitting at home yet again on a Saturday studying for my USMLE Step 3. I've come to the conclusion of what I stated in the title. I went to Ross and studied pretty hard...I think perhaps harder than most but some in my class would probably argue otherwise. I can think of a dozen reasons why I went to medical school, perhaps one of them was to prove something to myself. Having gotten to where I am now I can't help to look back with some disdain.

How many days of my life have I given up? How many more will I give up in the future? I have friends who went to business school and law school who own houses, cars...you know, the materialistic stuff. Some of them have kids and families now. When I was coming out of college I don't think I looked at things the same as I do now. I heard about all the sacrifice that had to be made to become a doctor and didn't really care. As I've gotten older though, each sacrifice just seems to become more and more of a burden.

Everyone who's gone to medical school or even college knows that one person in their class who studies a week(day?) before the exam and aces it. They pick things up like sponges and don't seem to have a care in the world. I'd like to consider myself to be at least slightly above average in intelligence but there is no way I could get away with anything less than studying like crazy...as I did in med school. I think to myself, perhaps those are the people that should be left to become doctors. Maybe they are the only ones who don't allow medicine to consume them. I've met many attendings who joke about knowing nothing other than medicine because they've devoted their lives to it and have no time for anything else; the sad part is they're not really joking. I don't want to become *that* but I think I'm heading down that road. Maybe that kid I remember from school who only had to read through whatever chapter in Harrison's one time and retain it is the only type of person who should have become a doctor.

Well I'm done whining. Just felt like typing for some reason and I don't exactly keep a diary or anything. Anyone else here feel the same? Anyone else regret becoming a doctor?

Dear doctor: In life to win something you have to loss something period.

[wcb22]

it's a good post for those who are in premed to consider the realities of medicine. you understand the sacrifice as time goes on. you will see much of your life pass away as you devote yourself to this profession. hopefully you can derive a lot of meaning from all that you've studied and learned in order to help people out.

i'd say if you studied your brains out, and make a critical diagnosis, and save someone's life, or improve the quality of someones life, you've done a great service to society. these people will never forget you.

now take a businessman or a lawyer, many of them will tell you that they feel they've waisted away their lives too, despite (or in spite of) all the money they've accumulated.

now i have a wife and a kid, so i feel i haven't taken the back burner as far as family goes, but i do feel i've given some of the best years of my life away to medicine, and education (my 20s). but i don't regret a minute of it.

[tennisball80]

Thanks for sharing your experience but I will never give up the dream to become a doctor. I think all of us only have one chance to be on the earth, what I can do is to help more people while I am alive. I would give everything up to do that. Sounds like I'm stupid but I realized that somehow....

[funmilayo]

Interesting!!!!! I think there is a price to pay for everything. Even those who are not going to become doctors might regret not using their talent to the fullest. I know sometimes the path to medicine might be tough for example I have been in school for every summer since 2006 when I started my first year either retaking a course to bring up my science gpa or to lighten my course load for the main term. I wish I could go on vacation or work to pay my tution but I have to make this sacrifices to serve humanity. No vocation is glamorous, there is always something to complain about.It is a priviledge to be able to save someone's life. Although,some ppl may have photographic memory but they might not have a photographic heart. Medicine is MORE THAN BRAINS IT HAS TO DO WITH COMPASSION. When the going gets tough, think of the lifes u would someday touh and let that inspire u.

[jabee_usm]

Dear doctor: In life to win something you have to loss something period.

Yep, like s/he said!!!!

[rasputindoc]

great post!

[Biojen]

The dream of being a physician and the devotion to helping others should not make you feel as if too much studying or too little materistic posessions, or even too little free time to go out and party is a burden to you. Think of all those that dream of being a physician...some have the comapssion, but not the intellect to succeed in school. Then there are those like you say...like my husband...who can read something once and remember it instantly. He is a brain, like most of those that have that ability, but in the long run I have him, and you have them beat because we want it more than they do. They become doctors because they can. Actually they could probably be anything...but a doctor...that is status, money, power, and prestige. Those real smart ones may not have the capacity to have the "bed side manner" that most patients need in their weakest time. Being a nurse for 10 years, I have decided to go to medical school. Yes it is a ton of scrifice, but in the end isn't it all worth it? What doesn't kill you makes you stronger! Oh and btw, as an attending you have the ability to take time off to experience life and learning. Try not to let life ever get away from you. Don't allow your career (even though it is your life) consume you in a way that you will get burned out.

Good luck~

[Glenys]

I recently graduated as a pre-med student and I am currently getting ready to take the M-CAT. As a minority and with a passion to help others, I look forward to one day becoming a physician. However, being a family oriented female I always wonder if medicine was the right path for me. As a pre-med student I was constantly faced with the challenge of staying in touch with family and friends while trying to maintain an "A" average. It was really hard to do both so I ended up focusing more towards my education. In doing so, I lost contact with many friends and family members and at one point felt disconnected with society. I know that medical school will be twice as hard but I believe that like many of you have stated at the end is all worth it. As doctors you have a great gift, and it is the gift to heal people or make them feel better. For me there is not a greater satisfaction then to be able to do just that.

[tegraphile]

Very good post. I was told you would go through these moments many times on your path to medicine, but to keep your head up and remember what you got into this for.