How do you know if you are cut out to become a physician?

Question

I am a senior in college and I am going to graduate at the end fo the Fall 2008 sememster. I am an electrical engineering major with a chemistry minor, and I have completed all required pre-med course work.

My question is: do you have any advice on how to decide if a medical career is right for me? I have "shadowed" physicians before, however, I know from my major that I had a compete misconcecption of electrical engineering when I started college. Similarly, I think that most people are under some misconception about medicine when they enter med school.

What do you think? Thanks!

Answer 1

To be a physician?  What type of physician?  General Practitioner, Surgeon, Specialist? Have you thought of the  hours and time of the internship.   Do you have a family and what  do they think?  This could cause additional stress during internship.  Can you handle death?  What about a birth, the baby is easy, the placenta examination is something else.  During your internship both will be part of it.  Will be a pathologist?  Looking for the cause of death and doing the autopsy?

You are strong in math and chemisty, what about biology?

Would suggest a profession consular in the medical field at this point.   The cost is high, but the rewards could be higher.

Answer 2

this is a decision you have to make with your gut, not your head. in order to enjoy yourself and do well in medicine, you have to love what you're doing. medical school is really hard, and, if you don't love it, it can be the worst time of your life. if you have shadowed a doctor and your not sold on it, it might not be totally right for you. it doesn't really matter what kind of doctor, either. you just have to have some sort of passion for helping people through medicine. it is a huge time and financial commitment. for those of us who have made it through, however, none of that matters because we know we've made the right decision about our professions.

my boyfriend (who is a forth year medical student) went all the way through industrial engineering before he realized that it wasn't for him. he took a year off, took biology and the MCAT, and has never looked back. he knows he made the right decision.

Answer 3

Misconceptions are always present. The art of medicine has room for many personality types. Many different types and styles of practice are available. Try visiting with other doctors or even hospital based doctors. There is now a growing web  based practice for imaging specialties.

Old Doc

I had always thought that I wanted to be a pediatrician until I had the chance to rotate there in Med School. Misconceptions fall but it takes time.

Answer 4

I think if we all really knew what we were signing up for, many of us would not have gone to med school.  It's tough, but the end result is worth it.

There are so many different specialties to choose from that you're bound to find SOMETHING that interests you.  If the typical internist scenario isn't your thing, you might like surgery, radiology, rehabilitative medicine, pathology, or even :) anesthesia :)

An M.D. degree can also be useful for non-medical careers - medical journalism, law, consulting, healthcare administration, etc.

I hated internal medicine, and could never spend my life doing that.  During my medicine rotation in med school, I seriously questioned my decision to become a physician.  Once I found my place, though, it all became worthwhile.

It's a big decision, and one that you should make with your heart instead of your head.  

Good luck with whatever you choose.