What kind of things can I do as a doctor to help people and work in the humanitarian aid area?

Question

If I become a doctor, I will definitely work for Doctors Without Borders. However, the pay is minimal and by doing it for many years I will sacrifice the chance to start and help raise a family earlier in my life (since I will be eligible for DWB after I'm 31). Therefore, as much as I would love to, I cannot do it for the rest of my life. What other things can I do besides Doctors Without Borders that will help people who really need medical help? Thanks!!

Answer 1

You can investigate Doctors Of The World http://www.dowusa.org/

There are many rural communities in the United States that need doctors desperately. Some communities offer tuition assistance for medical students if they agree to serve in a rural community for a certain number of years after graduation.

Answer 2

There are a lot of groups who go for one or two weeks to developing countries (Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bangladesh, parts of Africa).

You can still have a lucrative medical practice and do humanitarian work at the same time.

There are links below which you can click on to learn about the organization and the work that they do.

www.alohamedicalmission.org
www.interplast.org
http://www.operationsmile.org/

Answer 3

You can get a job at a Health Clinic in an inner city area. Decent (not great) pay, benefits, retirement fund.

Perhaps you can get a teaching position at a medical college. Many have outreach programs for the poor.

Congratulations on your altruism.