Why become a doctor – more issues

by rcentor on November 21, 2008

Please first read my classic post – Why become a doctor redux?

Recently I have had two important questions asked about this subject.

I wanna know is it worth it to become a doctor? How much money do they got a year like a family doctor or something in that area? How many years does it take to become a doctor?

Is it worth it? This question obviously depends on your definition of worth. Physicians make comfortable incomes. Family physicians make less than many subspecialists. I would not choose medicine just for the money, although in our current economic crisis, medicine looks relatively better than many business positions. On average, physicians may see some income loss, but we are very unlikely to be without a position (unless we commit gross malpractice and negligence or run afoul of the law.)

Becoming a physician takes 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school (piling on debt), then a residency (ranges from 3-10 years). Then you can get a position. The training is demanding but very educational.

how manageable is it for a woman to become a doctor, especially when raising a family is a factor that needs to be taken into consideration?

I have many female colleagues. Most find being a physician an outstanding career. Medicine does give you options to balance family and profession. Usually balance involves less hours and less income. I have colleagues who work as few as 20 hours a week. They still love medicine, their patients, and their families.

i have heard that after some years practicing medicine things become routine, which makes sense since years of experience and encounter of the same maladies can make treatments second nature. but then what?

Medicine never becomes routine. If you fool yourself into thinking so, something different comes along. I am constantly amazed by the detective work that I must do. I am constantly amazed by the advances in medical knowledge that influence my daily conceptualization of medicine. Finally the relationships with patients are always unique and rewarding.

after four years of high school you change and go to college, after four years of college you switch and perhaps go to medical school, . . . once you become a doctor does life become static? does the academic learning process come to a halt?

As above, learning should never come to a halt. I find that many retired physicians actively read journals and attend meetings. Medicine for many becomes totally integrated with our conception of who we are. I never find it boring.

Also, upon reaching this point in life do doctors have flexibility to develop other areas of interest? By this I mean, is there time or does the hospital consume most of your time. Can a doctor practice part-time? Does it depend on the specialty?

Please see the above answers.

Also, how do you go about choosing your specialty? I’ve always wondered about certain doctors, dermatologist for example. What an interesting passion to develop, does an individual wake up one day and say, I want to be a skin doctor?

Specialty choice requires more time than I am willing to spend typing right now. Most medical students figure out who they are during their third year. Correct specialty choice balances personality, aptitude (I would make a lousy surgeon), monetary and lifestyle influences. Passion does occur for most students during their clinical years.

Lastly, for those physicians out there, if you could start life over, do you think you would still pursue medicine?

Many physicians would not. This physician would. Those who entered medicine for business reasons are most likely unhappy. Those who truly love caring for patients can find a niche, perhaps lower paid, but a niche nonetheless that provides daily satisfaction.

I hope that these answers help the many readers who will find this rant through google. Why become a doctor is the number one search that brings readers to Medrants.