<p>When asking them why they didn't become doctors, even though they supposedly "wanted" to be one.</p>
<p>Uh yeah, you couldn't stand the sight of blood even though you wanted to be a doctor initially? And did you even see blood in your undergrad? </p>
<p>Gimme a break.</p>
<p>It's always that excuse because they didn't work hard enough or didn't understand the material. And it's usually my high school teachers I notice who say this.</p>
<p>You'd be surprised. There plenty of stories of med students fainting at the sight of their own blood. Plenty of stories out there of third year med students fainting during their first experience on surgery.</p>
<p>These are grizzled veterans and it can get to them. I've already had to deal with a lot of patients who would do anything to avoid getting a shot, and trying to get an IV or a blood draw is even more problematic. There are many, many, many people who get bothered by things like this. </p>
<p>My suggestion - you should get off your high horse and see what excuse you'll come up with when you change your mind about medicine...</p>
<p>I'm not trying to take pot shots at you, but I know the stats, even for people who "did work hard enough AND did understand the material".</p>
<p>Uh, there's a big difference between a med student saying that, and some 2nd year undergrad. I stated that in my initial post.</p>
<p>I got the impression your biggest "sample" was your teachers...</p>
<p>And I'm saying that many, many, many people have an issue with blood. I don't see how a medical student vs a non-medical student makes a difference.</p>
<p>You said that you thought this was an excuse, I'm saying that it's not that uncommon of thing, that there are many people - even those who see blood or other gore on a frequent basis - that have issues or episodes tied to seeing bodily fluids. Certainly for some people the threshold is much lower than for others, and seeing just a little blood - whether from donating their own or seeing else involved in a minor accident - produces such a visceral response that they realize they could never handle a career, or even just the training necessary for that career, in which they were constantly exposed to much greater amounts of blood and gore.</p>
<p>I agree with Bigredmed..if someone couldn't handle the sight of blood...it
's PROBABLY TRUE. It usually has nothing to do with their not being to take on the difficult work.</p>
<p>My D is among them....she's nearly a 4.0 student, including subjects like organic chem and calc. Everyone's (including many of her profs) telling her she should apply to med school. She says she KNOWS she couldn't deal with the "blood and guts" it would take and is looking at another health science field instead. She's not into research at all and wants a human-focused career.</p>
<p>H & I have mixed feelings about this, simply because it does seem like the medical degree gives her the most options, long term. But clearly, it's her life and her choice.</p>
<p>whoa whoa, get off your high horse. </p>
<p>
[quote]
It's always that excuse because they didn't work hard enough or didn't understand the material. And it's usually my high school teachers I notice who say this.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>are you seriously implying that people who don't become doctors because of bloodphobia are lazy and incompetent. Man you need some serious dose of reality hammered into your head.</p>
<p>IMO , you really need to get a reality check.</p>
<p>You also seem to imply that high school teachers are med-school rejects. A lofty opinion that I really have to disagree with. Maybe you should give a little more respect to your teachers.</p>
<p>Owned.....</p>
<p>A few of my friends in medical school have admitted that they almost passed out in their first experience with the Human Cadaver.</p>
<p>Actually a friend of mine (radiologist) admitted that she fainted in her first experience in the OR. It was pretty embarassing but I guess I see why she's a radiologist.</p>