How can I be a doctor and do volunteer-type work as a living?

Question

I am considering becoming a doctor, but I do not want to work at a hospital or at a private practice. I want to work where I can help disadvantaged people who really need the help. I know that there are many volunteer organizations which I would LOVE to work for, but they do not pay their workers (such as DWB). I do not care how much money I make, just as long as I'm helping people with my skills. Does anyone know of any work I can find with this criteria? THANKS A LOT IN ADVANCE!!

Answer 1

Sounds like you want to join Doctors without Borders!

Answer 2

Once you acheive your full medical credentials and are recognized as a doctor, a variety of career options are open to you doing the kind of work you want to do. International non-governmental organizations (NGOs -- the rest of the world's word for charities) employ medical staff to work with various at-risk and disadvantaged populations -- there are too many to name. UN Volunteers also sometimes has openings for doctors. To get an idea of the type of work available in the developing world, including medical staff, visit DevelopmentEx (http://www.developmentex.com) and ReliefWeb (http://www.reliefweb.int); after observing these for a few weeks, you will start to see the variety of organizations that need medical staff.

If you are in the USA, there are lots of hospitals serving poor populations, as well as poor communities in desperate need of a general practitioner.