is medical school right for me? things to consider before you apply
Post on 23-Dec-2015
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Is Medical School Right for Me?Things to Consider Before you Apply
First, Ask Yourself
• Why do I want to be a physician?– There are many reasons, some good, some… not so good.
• Do I know what type of physician I want to be?– There are several to choose from.
• Do I have the right personality traits?– To be a good physician, you must have the correct mindset.
• Am I willing to work hard?– The road to becoming a physician is long.
Why Do I want to be a Physician?Good Reasons:
• The desire to help people
• The desire to make a difference
• An interest in science and medicine
• The desire to improve medical practices
• The desire to do research
• The desire to save lives
• A true interest in the well-being of others
Not-So-Good Reasons:
• Money
– Money is nice, but it can’t be your only motivator.
• I just always thought I would
– Do you still really want to?
• Approval
– Mom and Dad will still love you.
• Family Legacy
– Grandpa and Aunt Sally are MD’s, so I should be too, right?
What Type of Physician Do I Want to Be?There are 3 extremely broad types of physicians:
• Primary care physicians.– Seen most often, these physicians are often family doctors offering
long-term care.
• Surgeons.– Operate on patients to treat injuries or diseases.
• Specialists.– Concentrate on one area of study, such as a specific body part, organ,
or disease.
What Personality Traits Should a Physician Have?
• Compassion
• Good Listening Skills
• An inquisitive mind
• A love of learning
• Stamina
• Patience
• Strong ethical principles
Am I Truly Willing to Work Hard?
The road to becoming a physician takes a lot of time and effort. Including:
• 4 years of medical school
(after a 4-year bachelor’s degree)
• A 1-year internship
• 3-7 years in a residency program
• Some subspecialties require an additional fellowship of 1-3 years
• Continuing education after being licensed
Pro’s and Con’s of the ProfessionPro’s
• The ability to help improve people’s lives and well-being.
• The opportunity to advance medical science and care practices.
• The respect and gratitude of patients and society at large.
• The financial benefits.
• Each day brings something new.
Con’s
• It takes quite a while before you get that diploma.
• With a lot of education comes a lot of student debt.
• Social Sacrifices. While in medical school, studying is your priority.
• Long hours, and being on-call once out of medical school.
• Dealing with patient loss, due to financial complications or death.
Confused Enough?Let me answer any questions or concerns you may have.
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