what else can i do with my medical degree if i don't want to work as a doctor? just don't enjoy it?

Question

very unhappy at work

Answer 1

1. change into a different field. we see quite a few surgeons who decide to become anesthesiologists for lifestyle reasons, for instance.

2. change jobs. maybe you'd be happier if your work environment was different.

3. research. can be especially lucrative if you latch on to an emerging biotech company and can run clinical trials for them. two words: stock options!

4. work in administration. things like hospital chief of staff or getting on the board of directors... if you like dealing with administrative issues. personally, i hate that stuff!

Answer 2

First, you should analyze the specifics of your work situation to assure that 'work as a doctor' is really what bothers you. Sometimes, there are things that are fixable that can be addressed: these include the group of people you work with, the work setting (city vs. suburban), pay scheme, etc.

If it really is essentially 'pushing charts' that is your drag, then there are plenty of things you can do. Examples include (hospital) administration, work for insurance company as reviewer/quality control, project analyst for venture capital company, do you own startup drug or medical device company, consulting for businesses, medical officer (to oversee clinical trials and or evaluate prospective drugs) for a pharmaceutical company... there's a lot of options.

You can also just go into another field cold turkey (I have a colleauge who went right into investment analysis for a hedge fund, and after 3 years, went out and started his own).

The main thing is this: if you're smart and resourceful enough to earn an MD, then you should be able to change your situation into something you're happy with. If you don't/can't, you only have yourself to blame. If you're that unhappy, don't settle for it - life's too short, and you've made too many sacrifices to be unhappy at this point in your life. So many physician colleagues I know are unhappy, but it makes no sense to me that they don't have the courage to admit it and make the change.

Good luck.

Answer 3

You could always do research. What about your job do you not like? Is it the dealing with people, the hours etc. Decide that first. There are tons of fields to utilize the degree in. You could also teach other med students, if educating is an interest. I do both research and education in the medical field.

Answer 4

Work for a health insurance company. Perhaps get a MPH and work for a health department. Medical research?

Answer 5

Research, such as cancer research. Very prestigious institution. Very.

Answer 6

You can also teach at pramedical schools.