Despite how subjective the answer to this question may be, is becoming a doctor really worth the effort?

Question

As a prospective medical student, I am trying to weigh whether or not becoming a doctor is really worth the effort and the majority of my parents' income. After having been through it all, would you physicians say that the juice is worth the squeeze?

Answer 1

I think that it is worth it. I am one. If you really want to be a doctor, don't "settle" for a P.A. Figure out what you want to do and do it.

Just in terms of how you pay for medical school, your parents would not have to pay anything. The MD degree makes you an independent student and not as restricted by federal loan rules. Which means that you can fully fund your education by taking out loans. This is what I did. I had enough loans to pay for tuition and then you get some money above that for living expenses.

Answer 2

Currently a 4th year med student going to a mexican private university and at first I entered the career to "try it out" just for the heck of it, but I wouldn't be where I am if I didn't enjoy what I was doing despite all the bad things.
Being still a regular university student, I don't yet have the level of authority to prescribe and diagnose, but the thank yous and knowing a reccomendation you gave could postively affect a lot of people is worth it.
As for draining your family income, are your parents willing to do it? If they expect you to pay for everything, don't bother because you have no time to get a part-time job. At best you could work selling stuff on e-bay in your free time but not much else.
Also ask yourself if you're willing to sacrifice your social life. I rarely go to the movies (but since most movies these days suck I don't feel like I'm missing much) and I only see my friends on occasion when I don't have an exam to worry about. I've also sacrificed my hobbies because I'm too tired to do both.
As for intuition costs, Mexico's most expensive universities are inexpensive to Americans. I pay 12,000 dollars a year and it's a good university though it has the bad image that everyone thinks we're preppy, Paris Hilton type airhead millionaires which is false, but stereotypes are hard to break. My family is cutting costs a lot, but at the end I'll graduate not owing anything, just the costs to move back to the US.

One thing is true, if you feel like Medicine isn't for you, it's likely you won't stick around to graduate. At least 33% of my classmates have dropped out to pursue something different.

Oh, as for PA's being the future of Medicine, that's just the states because the amount of people graduating there isn't enough for 300,000,000 people, so it's a sort of a quick fix but I have my doubts on the knowledge you can actually get in just 4 years of training. PA's don't exist in Mexico. Either you become a real doctor or a nurse in a private or public university. PA's wouldn't be able to find work outside of the US or some other selected countries where the career exists. An MD can move into the favelas of Rio de Janeiro or somewhere in the Congo or anywhere they feel like.

Answer 3

This really is a personal question. You should examine your reasons for becoming a doctor. If you want to make easy money, forget it- go to business school. If you truly love medical science and deeply value helping people, it may be for you. A previous respondent refers to PhD doctors: I don't know what country that person is in but in the US most physicians do not get PhD's- they get MD's or DO's. There are ways to finance a medical education that would put less strain on your parents' budget: for example, joining the military or the National Health Service Corps. Medical education itself can be very enjoyable if you love medicine and service: you meet many interesting, energetic and smart people and get a great education. Although it can be exhausting and demanding, most people I know in med school are very happy about what they are doing, and the time flies!
With regard to becoming an NP or PA, once again this depends on what you want. In these fields you might be able to spend more time with patients or work in a more community- oriented setting; however, you will not have the autonomy of a doctor and might wish you had a deeper education. In addition, physicians have more ability to conduct research on their own. I am obviously biased toward the MD or DO route but if you put a high value on personal time and family commitments, you might find the NP or PA professions more accommodating.

Answer 4

No. You will spend far more money and time than your P.A. counterparts getting your PhD, and you will literally be RAPED in malpractice insurance premiums, not to mention what the insurances on the other end take in group discounts off of your bill.

You're MUCH better off becomming a P.A. and being under a PhD resident who will carry the malpractice insurance on you and the nurses. P.A.'s are the NEW doctors, I rarely see a doctor in an E.R. and many private practices will only have ONE doctor and several P.A.'s and nurse practioners.

If you are bent on becoming a doctor, I would like to advise you to find a beautiful rural town, generally in a bible belt (most Christians are not keen to bring frivolous lawsuits against the town's doctor) You will also find that you can charge reasonable rates, and people will pay on a reasonable payment arrangement ($25-$100 depending on the total bill) and don't have insurance and RATHER pay you outright if it's not a silly high amount like some doctors have to do just so they get more than $5 for the hour care they gave!

Answer 5

I'm a newly licensed physician. It has been 6 long years (not including pre-med) to get to where I am right now (though I still have residency to think about). You really have to WANT it to be able to finish it still sane. There will be many countless days and nights wherein you just want to give up. Pressures from professors and competitive classmates can take their toll on you. Just take it one day at a time if ever you find yourself attending your first anatomy class. Is it worth the effort? Absolutely. A patient's sincere thank you can never ever equal all the money in the world.

Answer 6

The schooling is intense. The training is exhausting. The practice is consuming to the point that family life can suffer. Finding a balance is not always easy. But overall the juice was worth the squeeze.

Answer 7

In general,a doctor earns well. But depending on what kind of line you would choose, say pediatrics or obstetrics. Or you will have a clinic of your own or be employed with a big hospital. There are many things that you will take into consideration and that you should plan for it . At least study carefully your actions and decisions.

Answer 8

It depends on you. The fact that you asked this question is to me a sign that it may not be for YOU. I mean if you are truly altruistic and not in it for the $ which is no longer there since no one wants to pay for being ill, then go for it. I dont know your goals. If you want to have family time, do not become a Physician.

Answer 9

This is fully a personal thing. Don't make the decision based on if it has been worth it for other people or not. If it's what you are truly passionate for, it will always be worth it.

As for the income issue, if you want it enough, it won't be a problem.

Answer 10

Elijah in Old Testament ( 1 King. 17: 17-24) is supposed to be a doctor .
From then till now it has been great to be a doctor.