This sounds awkward however what I mean is careers similar to Optometrists, Podiatrists, etc, that do not go to medical school. Although I am interested in medical school, I want more options. I recognize the fact that PAs are a pseudo-Doctor of sorts but I strictly mean literal doctors that go to a designated school other than medical school.
Sorry if this post is offensive in any way. I had no clue as to how I should word it. My main concern is the low paying residencies and possible specialties I am interested in that could choose not to select me. I’m very interested in Opthamology, Cardiovascular Surgery, and joints.
Not sure if I can link to it but there is a web site called “Explore Health Careers” which might be helpful.
Are you in HS or college? You might look into volunteering in an office. Talk to a variety of people in these careers and ask if they are happy with their career choice. Talk to people who are employed (ex. in an HMO) and those that are self employed (private practice). Ask if, given the chance, they would choose this career again. Most importantly, ask them if they had a child your age, if they would encourage him/her to go into their profession.
^^ yes but is his/her interest in eyes or surgery (ie. ophthalmology vs optometry)? Joints is pretty broad - orthopedic surgeon vs physical medicine vs. physical therapy vs occupational therapy. Again, if OP is a high school student thinking of medical type jobs, he/she has a lot of time to explore options and interests. If s/he is already in college then he/she should start narrowing things down.
OP, low paying residencies is a short term issue. Look at long term income and quality of life. As far as specialties, every profession has specialties. For the eyes there are ophthalmologists who are retinal specialists, neuro ophthalmologists, glaucoma specialists, anterior seg specialists, LASIK surgeons, pediatric/strabismic surgeons,etc. On the optometry side, there are low vision specialists, vision therapy specialists, sports vision specialists, contact lens specialists as well as optometrists who work for LASIK surgeons and any of the ophthalmology specialties listed above. Start exploring and talking to doctors in different specialties.
Ophthalmology is a surgical specialty. If you want to be a surgeon, optometry is not for you. An optometrist is a vision-care specialist.
Clearly, you can’t do cardiovascular surgery if you are not a physician—although I have heard of PAs assisting with surgery. If you are interested in heart health or the anatomy of the heart, you can consider being a technician for echocardiography or other cardiac diagnostics.
Joints: This would be rheumatology (non-surgical) or orthopedics (surgical).
OP-to echo the advice given above, you should take some time to research the many medically related fields which require a doctorate-and those that don’t. And if it appears physician is the career you wish to pursue, I’d recommend additional research into what the various specialties actually do.