5 answers
Favor
Student
Louisville, Kentucky
1
Question
Asked
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Is spending more than a decade in college worth it to become a doctor? Is it possible to shorten that amount of time??
Spending so long in college is the one thing that makes me question if I want to be a doctor, more specifically a dermalogist because what would I be learning that would take 12 years to master? Also, others the same age with me would already have jobs.
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5 answers
Abasiakama John
Medical student
2
Answers
Enugu, Nigeria
Updated
Abasiakama’s Answer
It all depends on your passion. If becoming a medical doctor is what you really want and it's what you have passion for then the number of years doesn't matter because the time will still pass and you'll be happy you made it to the end and will look back and be proud of yourself. So follow your dreams and don't let the number of years discourage you, dear.
I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question.
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Madison Buchman
doctor
112
Answers
West Hartford
Updated
Madison’s Answer
You are 100% correct about this. Yes there will be many years of schooling/residency/possibly fellowship where you are paying for medical school, studying hard, and then not making tons of money as a resident/fellow. You have to balance those cons with what for you would be the personal reward/gain of becoming a doctor. Think long in advanced as to how much you want this, how happy would this career make you on a daily basis, are you willing to dedicate that time/money/effort. This looks so different for everyone but you are so right you do want to go into medical school with the knowledge and acceptance of this!
Kristie Dapp
Family Nurse Practitioner
2
Answers
New Braunfels, Texas
Updated
Kristie’s Answer
If becoming a doctor is your dream then do it! It’s a lot of school, but in the end it’s worth it. You might find that a different specialty is more your style. Go in with an open mind!
Nathaniel Wander
anthropology/psychotherapy/writing
35
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Nathaniel’s Answer
I will only add that in those dozen years, you will have plenty of opportunity to work in your chosen field, and for the last third, to be paid well-enough if not lavishly, not to mention the scholarships and stipends you might receive to pay for college and medical school.
As a college student, you may not have all that much chance to work primarily in the field of medicine, but you will have the opportunity to do many sorts of medically-associated extra-curricular work as a volunteer, and having that on your record will help you gain entry into a medical school. Indeed, you can start this in high school and improve the chances of being accepted by the college(s) of your choice.
While the first year of medical school is typically a classroom and/or laboratory experience, you will study anatomy and physiology by dissecting a human body. Except for the fact that the 'patient' doesn't talk, you can hardly get more hands on than that. In the second you will begin shadowing your teachers, getting at least observational medical experience, and by the third, you will be doing rotations through a variety of specialties of your choosing. You will be the low person on the totem pole, but you will be expected to get your hands very dirty indeed.
Finally, in the last third of your training, residency and specialization, you will be a full-fledged, degreed, licensed physician. You may find the work expectations grueling and the pay unfair in comparison, but you will be performing more rewarding and informative work, and be paid at a higher rate than most people will ever do or earn in their entire lives.
A Zen master wrote: "Don't work towards freedom. Make the work the freedom."
As a college student, you may not have all that much chance to work primarily in the field of medicine, but you will have the opportunity to do many sorts of medically-associated extra-curricular work as a volunteer, and having that on your record will help you gain entry into a medical school. Indeed, you can start this in high school and improve the chances of being accepted by the college(s) of your choice.
While the first year of medical school is typically a classroom and/or laboratory experience, you will study anatomy and physiology by dissecting a human body. Except for the fact that the 'patient' doesn't talk, you can hardly get more hands on than that. In the second you will begin shadowing your teachers, getting at least observational medical experience, and by the third, you will be doing rotations through a variety of specialties of your choosing. You will be the low person on the totem pole, but you will be expected to get your hands very dirty indeed.
Finally, in the last third of your training, residency and specialization, you will be a full-fledged, degreed, licensed physician. You may find the work expectations grueling and the pay unfair in comparison, but you will be performing more rewarding and informative work, and be paid at a higher rate than most people will ever do or earn in their entire lives.
A Zen master wrote: "Don't work towards freedom. Make the work the freedom."
Midwest Heart Surgeon
Cardiac surgeon
56
Answers
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Updated
Midwest’s Answer
Determining whether you career choice is worthwhile is a personal and important feeling and decision! Many current physicians find their careers extremely fulfilling and well worth the long path to get there, including me. My personal pathway included the following:
4 years of undergrad
1 year of work/volunteering
4 years of medical school
8 years of residency, including 6 clinical years and 2 research years
1 year of subspecialty training
Different career paths have different pathways, but most medical and surgical subspecialties require a commitment of many years of training to achieve these roles.
For some careers, it may be possible to shorten the time. For a cardiac surgeon, there are two main pathways for training. One is the traditional route of completing general surgery residency (5-7 years, depending on research), followed by a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship (2-3 years). The other route is an integrated thoracic surgery pathway which is 6 clinical years and potentially another 1-2 in research. While both routes can potentially take 8-9 years, there is some opportunity in shortening the time by not focusing on any research and only training for the minimum 6 years through an integrated program.
However, is is vitally important to remember that medical training is extremely hard and can come at the expense of alternate careers earning more money, time spent with family, and many other valuable aspects of this. These sacrifices only become worthwhile if you are doing what you truly love and are committed to doing for life.
4 years of undergrad
1 year of work/volunteering
4 years of medical school
8 years of residency, including 6 clinical years and 2 research years
1 year of subspecialty training
Different career paths have different pathways, but most medical and surgical subspecialties require a commitment of many years of training to achieve these roles.
For some careers, it may be possible to shorten the time. For a cardiac surgeon, there are two main pathways for training. One is the traditional route of completing general surgery residency (5-7 years, depending on research), followed by a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship (2-3 years). The other route is an integrated thoracic surgery pathway which is 6 clinical years and potentially another 1-2 in research. While both routes can potentially take 8-9 years, there is some opportunity in shortening the time by not focusing on any research and only training for the minimum 6 years through an integrated program.
However, is is vitally important to remember that medical training is extremely hard and can come at the expense of alternate careers earning more money, time spent with family, and many other valuable aspects of this. These sacrifices only become worthwhile if you are doing what you truly love and are committed to doing for life.