<p>I've never wanted to be a doctor, so I was always under the impression that you got a bachelor's, then 4 years of med school -- the last 1-2 years of that was your residency and then you were free to practice.</p>
<p>I just now learned that after med school awaits four more years (3 for residency and 1 extra internship if you want to specialize). That's 12 years of schooling! A lot of you here have just graduated 12th grade and didn't that feel like a lifetime? </p>
<p>Worst case scenario: you racked up debt getting your 4-year Bachelor's degree, had to rack up even more for medical school, and subsisted on a stipend during your residency. At the end of all that, you still have to finish paying your debt, and then there are things like malpractice insurance to worry about.</p>
<p>I know a lot of people who declare themselves pre-med majors because they expect to make a big salary once they have their M.D. The only people I can see making it through all this are those that have the really want to help people for the sake of helping them or loving medicine.</p>
<p>Is there any other reason to become a doctor other than humanitarian ones? Because giving up your 20s so to speak doesn't seem worth the salary -- if that's what you're after.</p>
<p>I want to be a doctor in order to help people, money has never really impressed me. There are two big reasons I want to go into the medical field. that my grandfather suffered from diabetes so I would like to help others who suffer from the same disease, and I would like to work with the AIDS epidemic in China. I also really love learning, finishing high school didn't feel like an eternity, I would be happy being in school forever. In fact, I want to get a Ph.D. before I go to medical school in order to learn more about a passion of mine, chemistry.</p>
<p>Due to the lengthy process of becoming a doctor, only the very dedicated/passionate will make it through. Also doctors need to love learning; throughout their entire careers, they need to stay on top of new research and developments in the field.</p>
<p>If someone is entering medicine simply for the money, chances are that they aren't going to make it. But, honestly, do we really want doctors that are just in it for the money?</p>
<p>I want to be a doctor because I love helping people. I would also enjoy the challenge of medicine. I'm interested in pathology because I think it's amazing how pathologists can look at a tissue sample and make a diagnosis, or even determine cause of death (yes, I know, I'm a geek). I'll admit though, that the job stability of a doctor and the fact that upon completing med school, there's so many different paths I can take (huge variety of fields), are also what makes medicine attractive for me.</p>
<p>jessetfan, have you looked into those combined MD/PHd programs?</p>
<p>I agree with dancer...I volunteered at a hospital for a few summers and absolutely loved it! You hear people talking about how much they love people and want to help them, but seeing someone smile through so much pain b/c they know you're there to help them is an indescribable feeling!
The challenge is extraordinary, too! I love learning and never want to stop! I guess that's a good thing, too, b/c the specialty I want to go into requires 7 years of residency. I like the art of medicine, too...There's just so much to love about medicine, but I can just as easily see how someone could not like it.</p>
<p>Getting a MBA in business is the same way. 4 years of school undergraduate. Approx 4 years of work. Followed by 2 years of MBA, and more if you want a Ph.D. It's not as much as a doctor, but still 10years. I would say being a doctor is typical of someone wanting to go that high in a field of study.</p>
<p>Actually, if you want to make lots of money, investment bankers and lawyers have the potential to make much more than doctors. The most a doctor will make is probably around $500 000 (think it's cardiology). Some specialties may make more, and many will make much less.</p>
<p>Investment bankers and lawyers, have the potential to make millions per year.</p>
<p>Though the medical profession as most professions do, have the potential to make a lot of money, that is not why people want to become doctors. Practicing medicine or medical research is what they want to do with their lives. It is also a pragmatic decision in that physicians do have a pretty good chance of making a decent living, even if the chances of making a fortune are not great. There is also the respect aspect of being a doctor.</p>
<p>Okay, glad I wasn't the only one slightly confused by that. I know there's an AIDS epidemic in Africa, but I've never heard of an AIDS epidemic in China. Currently, the major health concern in China and other parts of southeastern Asia is avian flu (SARS seems to have died down now). Maybe the poster got mixed up? Maybe I'm just out of the loop?</p>
<p>
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$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Ask any of the asians and desis in med school. They know where the money is.
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</p>
<p>Maybe so, but the amount of the school, money, and time is enough to deter anyone whose only in it for the money, prestige, or because they're parents want them to.</p>
<p>I know of so many pre-med majors, and I'm just not willing to believe that there are that many people out there who really want to do it for the love of learning and/or helping people. I don't know what the drop-out rates are for med school, but I would think they'd be high.</p>
<p>As an Filipino, many of my cousins and others Filipinos I know want to be a doctor because their parents want them to be and also because it's considered one of the most respectable professions. I didn't think it was a big deal to become a doctor without having the "true" passion for it. But just thinking about it now... if you really don't have a lot of interest in it, you have a SAD SAD life ahead of you.</p>
<p>Well, I am very interested in the brain and therefore want to specialize in neurosurgery. Of course the money is a big part of it, but just the overall interest in it I have is a major factor. Also, it presents a huge challenge, and I want to do something that challenges me so I am not stuck in a boring job for the rest of my life.</p>
<p>I don't know what the dropout rates are for medical school, but I imagine they aren't very high. Most of the people not truely into medicine would be weeded out during their undergraduate in their pre-med courses, or during the admissions process. A large part of medical school admissions is volunteer/work experience in the medical/health field. Most people would probably discover that medicine isn't for them at the point.</p>
<p>Money has never been huge with me. I would probably be happier in a cozy house than a big mansion. As long as I can pay the bills and provide a few luxuries for the family, I'm happy.</p>
<p>Giving up your youth is the wrong way to look at med school and residency. First of all, if you can manage your time, there's no reason not to be able to have a social life. Put the extra effort and your time will free up. You do 4 years of college as a pre-med. You work harder than most other students, but pre-meds in general can be as social as anyone else if they want to be. The college experience is not lost. Then another 4 tough years in med school. Less time, but it's only 4 years, and most people in med school actually enjoy learning the things they do. And it's not 4 years in a classroom taking notes. Med students actually get out and deal with real patients. They socialize with each other, make friends. Some even get married. After med school is residency, and that's a real job. A resident is a doctor that learns the ropes from other more experienced doctors. You work long hours and get paid a decent salary. It's a job. It's the real world.</p>
<p>Don't look at it as a waste of life, because it's not. A doctor in training can make as much of their youth as anyone else. There's just a lot more information they need to pack into their brains. And they end up having the most respected and satisfying job a person can have.</p>
<p>I have considered doing a combined MD/PhD program. There is an AIDS epidemic in China. The biggest problem with AIDS in China currently is that antiretroviral drugs are available over the counter which has led to more mutations since the disease is not tracked as closely as it is in the US. There is also a shortage of doctors qualified to treat HIV/AIDS and a lack of education. I would like to help treat and educate patients in this country.
Don't feel bad not knowing about the epidemic, I didn't know about it until last summer when I read an article in the "New York Times." Unfortunately this epidemic does not make the news as much as the epidemic in Africa, although I think it's just as important. Information is also readily available through Google with terms like "AIDS epidemic in China."</p>
<p>You learn something new everyday. Thanks for the info jessetfan!</p>
<p>There's so many health issues going on these days. West Nile, AIDS, avian flu, TB, BSE (granted that is an animal health concern, but it can cause CJD in humans), the list goes on. I just read a story in the news that the Chinese government is actually downplaying the risk that smoking poses!</p>
<p>If you just want to make lots of $$$$$$$, become a plumber instead. I don't think you even need a college degree for that and it's a lot less stress. The best reason I've heard to NOT become a doctor is that the insurance industry has completely taken control of the profession. To quote an old neurosurgeon, "It was the most noble profession in the world until the insurance pigs took over."</p>
<p>No problem, I'm really interested in helping out because the humanitarian aid for China is so much less because many nations don't agree with their government. It's strange that one AIDS epidemic gets so much press in the world community while another is hardly known at all. The story I found about the epidemic was on page 12 of the "New York Times." I think that taking care of so many diseases is important, but this is the one I've chosen to focus on because it gets so much less attention than many other diseases.</p>
<p>I think I grew up not liking money. or at least being incredibly stingy. I think there was small enforcement by my family. now we have more money (mid income level) but I am still stingy. Makes me sad when I dont spend money properly.............</p>
<p>I think I've always had a sorta humanitarian spirit in me. Maybe it's to justify a moral system so I don't go crazy...... dunno. And being a doctor sorta seems like the best way to help people. at least for me. </p>
<p>And all the hours I need to put in scares the sh** out of me. I know how to push myself (at least academically) but I always have time to get some rest b4 I reach my breaking point. If I want to be a doctor...... I may not always have that opportunity. Plus the idea of having a life in your hands...... and the possibility that you will screw up and kill someone.... gives me the willies. </p>
<p>But this is the occupation that fits me best right now. I love science and I want ( or at least want to want) to help people. Almost gives you a purpose in this mundane world. </p>
<p>Course it's possible I'm actually making things worse. Reading this book about the humanitarian crisis. well I was till it got boring. But makes you wonder... is all the money and resources we are pouring into developing countries actually helping? or making things worse?</p>