How much devotion does a career in medicine require?

Question

I'm a high school senior, and I'm planning on majoring in Chemical Engineering. However, I am also considering med school afterwards (to become a Family Physician, maybe.)

I know I'd have the qualifications for it, but I don't know if everything will just be too overwhelming/strenuous. 4 years of med school + 3 years of residency + fellowship + yearly examinations + other stuff I don't yet know about equals a huge chunk of your life during the years that most people settle down and start a family.

So I guess my question (sorry it took so long) is how much devotion does a career in medicine require? Don't get me wrong, I like to be challenged, I'm a hard worker, but I don't want to be "married" to my career.

So thanks for your help.

Answer 1

Becoming a physician takes the utmost devotion. First, you have to take prerequisites (pre-med) in college, which by itself can be somewhat demanding. Then take the MCAT before graduating and hope to get accepted to med school. Then comes the hard part, you can count on 18-20 hour study days throughout the first year of med school. Second year gets a bit lighter but the coursework is no easier. After that, you have to sit through a grueling day-long test (USMLE Step I), this is basically a comprehensive exam, testing everything you've learned to this point. The last 2 yrs of med school are clinically oriented and fun. Before graduating med school you have to take the USMLE Step II, which once again tests your knowledge to this point. Then comes 3-7 years of residency/fellowship, which is probably the most demanding stage of training. You take USMLE StepIII (this one takes 2 days) during residency. Once you finish residency, you take your specialty board exam.

So, sorry for being so long-winded, but it's the best way to convey how demanding the training is.
If you decide to go for it, specialize in dermatology, ophthalmology, radiology, or pathology. Those are the specialties with the best lifestyle (higher pay & less hours).

Good luck!

Answer 2

To be a truly good physician requires that you love your profession.... BUT I think that applies to any profession. How can you excel if you don't enjoy what you do?

Physicians work long hours, and it's emotionally and physically draining, but I wouldn't trade my job for the world! Yes, I'm devoted, but that comes as a RESULT of loving what I do.

Don't worry about that "chunk" of your life that could be spent starting a family. If becoming a physician is what you truly want and are willing to work toward, it's absolutely possible to have a family as well. (And yes, radiology, derm, ophtho, etc. have "better" hours than other specialties - such as FP that you said you're interested in - but if you pick a specialty just for the hours and/or the money, there may be NO devotion, only resentment!!)

My advice to anyone: you will likely spend the majority of your waking hours at work, so you need to find satisfaction and fulfillment in your job. Otherwise you'll be miserable. Life is way too short!!!

Answer 3

It takes a lot of devotion! For those few years Medicine is your life. I have heard a lot of ppl turn away from medicine b/c they would rather start a family! i'm struggling with the same things, but the only difference is...is that im a sophomore in college. lol! if you are really passionate about the medical field then i would strongly suggest you going with medical school after college! before jumping into the years to come...experiment in the field. get a feel for it..that way you wont have to think well im this far i better finish it. so far i have decided that i for one dont have the money to go to medical school and i am not from a well to do family. i cant wait till im 30 before i make a decent fixed income. medical schools are typically year round! it will be hard to hold a job and med school as well!
i have decided on a physician assistant! its just two years of training after college and you dont have to pay malpractice!! plus you arent under as much stress! its a way to do the things doctors do but without the full time commitment! really think about it hun! if its something that you really want to do then i strongly stress that you do it!!!
i just want to wish you the best of luck in the years to come and that whatever decision you do make is one that you are happy with!!

Answer 4

Full devotion.