I am a high school student and am interested in becoming a doctor. I don't however, know what specific types of doctors there are or which one would be best for me. Any suggestions?
2006-11-29 12:40:25 · 6 answers · asked by Amy S 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
I would suggest that you think about whether you are interested in the practice of medicine (that is, actually applying what you have learned to the direct care of patients), or the science of medicine (understanding how the body works and what specifically happens when things go wrong and you get sick).
If you're interested in practicing medicine, you should know that the field is basically divided into two areas: surgery and medicine. Surgeons do alot of work with their hands, often times cutting into the body to access internal organs. Non-surgeons, on the other hand, monitor the health of people (pediatricians monitor the health of kids under 18, for example) and are trained to recognize specific diseases, manage them appropriately (with medications and/or lifestyle changes), or refer the patient to a specialist (such as a surgeon).
It sounds more complicated than it is, and the truth is that there is no way for you to know what type of doctor you want to be until you get to medical school and try out the different areas. You don't choose what type of doctor you will be until the last year of medical school.
If you are interested in the science of medicine more than the practice, you might consider a PhD program or better yet, a combined MD/PhD program, where you'll truly bridge the gap between understanding the basic mechanisms of disease and health and applying that understanding to the actual treatment of patients.
2006-11-29 13:11:19 · answer #1 · answered by twloehfelm 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What you should do is visit a pre-med campus and/or a medical school. Talk to professors and students. You're setting a righteous goal for yourself by asking what type because there are thousands of types. Weigh the good with the bad and asess your findings. Medicine is difficult but rewarding. Do you want to attend University or Tech? Do you like children, old folk, bad smelling and gross messes, newborns? Do you want to be a medical dr or a research scientist? Stay on the path is the only suggestion for now.
2006-11-29 23:13:52 · answer #2 · answered by element_op 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At my high school, we had a Health Occupations class where we were able to go to local hospitals three days a week and work at each of the different fields. There are so many options! I would look into seeing if your high school offers this. If not, maybe you should consider being a candy striper. You will get to see what's going on behind the scenes.
2006-11-29 22:06:56 · answer #3 · answered by meliss 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry Amy, you've still got plenty of time. If you're still in high school, you'll probably be going to college for about 4 years of premed studies. You'll have all that time to take different courses and explore what you like best. Don't rush your decision. Take your time!
2006-11-29 20:46:50 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask Yourself this very simple question: Why is it that I am now at High School, yet still have not researched My "chosen profession" well enough to be able to differentiate between one field of medicine and another? Point taken?
2006-11-29 23:10:28 · answer #5 · answered by Ashleigh 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
what do you like. most doctor student don't make that kind of decision until they are interns and have tried a few different areas in medicine
2006-11-29 20:48:55 · answer #6 · answered by Wicked 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋