3 answers
Ruqiah
Student
Tucson, Arizona
1
Question
Updated
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Is going to medical school worth it?
Is going to medical school worth it? I really wanna go but it seams super difficult. Are all medical degrees 7+ year? How long does it take to be a pharmacist?
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3 answers
Aimee Turcotte, PharmD, BCGP, CMWA
Pharmacist
6
Answers
Baxter, Minnesota
Updated
Aimee’s Answer
It typically takes about 7-8 years to become a pharmacist, with the pre-pharmacy coursework lasting approximately 3-4 years. This can vary depending on individual circumstances. If you know exactly what you want to do upon graduating high school and take only pre-pharmacy classes in college, you could complete the coursework in the shorter time frame. Many complete a 4-year undergraduate degree before applying to pharmacy school. Pharmacy school is 4 years, and you will have a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
Some pharmacists complete a residency program afterwards. The majority do not, but that is slowly changing. You can also become board certified in various areas, such as geriatrics (BCGP), cardiology (BCCP), pediatrics (BCPPS), psychiatry (BCPP), critical care (BCCCP), etc. You can also obtain certifications in many areas, such as Medication Therapy Management (MTM) and Pharmacogenomics (PGx).
Pharmacy offers a diverse range of career opportunities beyond traditional roles like dispensing in pharmacies or working in hospitals. Personally, I've practiced pharmacy for 24 years, spending only 7 of those years in hospital pharmacy. None in dispensing. The other has been as veterinary pharmacist and clinical pharmacist (BCGP) (visiting older adults in their homes or over the phone to review their medications with them).
Some pharmacists complete a residency program afterwards. The majority do not, but that is slowly changing. You can also become board certified in various areas, such as geriatrics (BCGP), cardiology (BCCP), pediatrics (BCPPS), psychiatry (BCPP), critical care (BCCCP), etc. You can also obtain certifications in many areas, such as Medication Therapy Management (MTM) and Pharmacogenomics (PGx).
Pharmacy offers a diverse range of career opportunities beyond traditional roles like dispensing in pharmacies or working in hospitals. Personally, I've practiced pharmacy for 24 years, spending only 7 of those years in hospital pharmacy. None in dispensing. The other has been as veterinary pharmacist and clinical pharmacist (BCGP) (visiting older adults in their homes or over the phone to review their medications with them).
Alyssa Browning
cardiologist
11
Answers
Blue Bell, Pennsylvania
Updated
Alyssa’s Answer
Nobody except you can really answer the question about whether it is "worth it". Treating patient is rewarding but yes, becoming a medical doctor or osteopathic doctor takes a long time and it's a lot of work. There are a lot of health care careers, and it's completely fine to not be exactly sure what you want to do, especially if you are still in high school or the first couple of years of college. You didn't say your age but I would suggest if you are in high school, talk to your guidance counselor at school about career exploration and about college, etc. That is basically his/her job (at least a main part of it), to help you with this sort of thing. You can also talk to your science teachers at school. You can consider studying something like biology in college (I did think, not totally knowing what I was going to do with it at first...thought maybe physical therapist, maybe a biology teacher or get a master's or PhD in biology, maybe be an ecologist, or maybe a physician/doctor). Typically medical doctors or osteopathic doctors go though 4 years of college and then 4 years of medical school and then you do more "training" (but being paid...a job with some lectures/teaching still built it) for another 3-7 years depending on your "specialty". There are some special programs that cut off a year or two (in other words only going to college for maybe 3 years but with a guaranteed acceptance to medical school after that if you maintain certain grades). I did not do one of those and only suggest that for people who are very sure they want to be a physician and not something else.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
4207
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Ruqiah,
It will be worth it if you use natural compounds in the treatment of people. I have met several medical doctors who used God's Pharmacopeia not man's pharmacopeia to heal illness.
Why would God make eight vitamin E isomers? They have other functions in living organisms, in nature.
Let us take niacin as an example. The Canadian psychiatrist Dr Abram Hoffer was kicked out of the Canadian medical psychiatrist's association because he was achieving 90% amelioration of schizophrenia with high levels of niacin which is vitamin B3.
The body still makes a little bit of vitamin B3 from tryptophan amino acid in protein foods. So in strict terminology it is a vitamin in the process of becoming one. It has been suggested that was the price for the development of intelligence in humans!
Before vitamin B3, vitamin C became a vitamin completely. Niacin is still in the evolutionary process of becoming one.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=evolution+vitamin+C+became+a+vitamin
https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/the-mystery-of-vitamin-c-14167861/
Two orthomolecular medical people have lived to 92. Professor Linus Pauling, originator of orthomolecular medicine, and Lady Doctor Phyllis Cilento who was an orthomolecular medical practitioner. There were others and I worked for them. Doctor Alan Hadley, Doctor Colin Holloway. Alan C Profke, naturopath, Robert Lucy, naturopath.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Queried Artificial Intelligence:
Is Going to Medical School Worth It?
Deciding whether going to medical school is worth it is a significant consideration that many individuals face due to the rigorous nature of medical education and the commitment required. Here are some key points to consider when evaluating if pursuing a medical degree is the right choice:
Duration of Medical Degrees:
Most medical degrees, such as an MD (Doctor of Medicine) in the United States, typically take around 7-8 years to complete. This includes undergraduate studies, medical school, and residency training.
However, there are variations in the duration based on factors like the country where you study, the specific program structure, and any additional specializations or fellowships pursued after obtaining the basic medical degree.
Challenges of Medical School:
Medical school is known for its demanding curriculum, long hours of study and clinical rotations, high levels of stress, and intense competition.
Students in medical school often face significant academic pressure, emotional challenges, and financial burdens due to tuition fees and living expenses.
Career Prospects in Medicine:
Despite the challenges, a career in medicine can be highly rewarding both professionally and personally.
Physicians have the opportunity to make a positive impact on patients’ lives, contribute to advancements in healthcare, and enjoy job stability and competitive salaries.
Pharmacist Career Path:
If you are considering a career as a pharmacist instead of a physician, the educational path is different.
To become a pharmacist in the U.S., you typically need to complete a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program, which usually takes around 4 years after completing prerequisite undergraduate coursework.
Considerations for Decision-Making:
When deciding whether to pursue medical school or pharmacy school, it’s essential to assess your interests, strengths, career goals, lifestyle preferences, and willingness to commit to an intensive educational journey.
Researching both professions thoroughly, speaking with current professionals in each field, and possibly shadowing or volunteering in healthcare settings can provide valuable insights into what each career entails.
In conclusion,the decision on whether going to medical school is worth it depends on your personal aspirations, dedication to the field of medicine or pharmacy, willingness to endure the challenges of rigorous training programs, and passion for making a difference in healthcare.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): AAMC provides comprehensive information about medical education pathways in the U.S., including data on medical school admissions requirements, curriculum structures, and career outcomes for graduates.
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP): AACP offers insights into pharmacy education programs across the U.S., detailing prerequisites for PharmD programs, accreditation standards, and resources for aspiring pharmacists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): BLS offers reliable data on job outlooks, salary trends, and educational requirements for various healthcare professions like physicians/surgeons and pharmacists.
GOD BLESS YOU!
JC.
It will be worth it if you use natural compounds in the treatment of people. I have met several medical doctors who used God's Pharmacopeia not man's pharmacopeia to heal illness.
Why would God make eight vitamin E isomers? They have other functions in living organisms, in nature.
Let us take niacin as an example. The Canadian psychiatrist Dr Abram Hoffer was kicked out of the Canadian medical psychiatrist's association because he was achieving 90% amelioration of schizophrenia with high levels of niacin which is vitamin B3.
The body still makes a little bit of vitamin B3 from tryptophan amino acid in protein foods. So in strict terminology it is a vitamin in the process of becoming one. It has been suggested that was the price for the development of intelligence in humans!
Before vitamin B3, vitamin C became a vitamin completely. Niacin is still in the evolutionary process of becoming one.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=evolution+vitamin+C+became+a+vitamin
https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/the-mystery-of-vitamin-c-14167861/
Two orthomolecular medical people have lived to 92. Professor Linus Pauling, originator of orthomolecular medicine, and Lady Doctor Phyllis Cilento who was an orthomolecular medical practitioner. There were others and I worked for them. Doctor Alan Hadley, Doctor Colin Holloway. Alan C Profke, naturopath, Robert Lucy, naturopath.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Queried Artificial Intelligence:
Is Going to Medical School Worth It?
Deciding whether going to medical school is worth it is a significant consideration that many individuals face due to the rigorous nature of medical education and the commitment required. Here are some key points to consider when evaluating if pursuing a medical degree is the right choice:
Duration of Medical Degrees:
Most medical degrees, such as an MD (Doctor of Medicine) in the United States, typically take around 7-8 years to complete. This includes undergraduate studies, medical school, and residency training.
However, there are variations in the duration based on factors like the country where you study, the specific program structure, and any additional specializations or fellowships pursued after obtaining the basic medical degree.
Challenges of Medical School:
Medical school is known for its demanding curriculum, long hours of study and clinical rotations, high levels of stress, and intense competition.
Students in medical school often face significant academic pressure, emotional challenges, and financial burdens due to tuition fees and living expenses.
Career Prospects in Medicine:
Despite the challenges, a career in medicine can be highly rewarding both professionally and personally.
Physicians have the opportunity to make a positive impact on patients’ lives, contribute to advancements in healthcare, and enjoy job stability and competitive salaries.
Pharmacist Career Path:
If you are considering a career as a pharmacist instead of a physician, the educational path is different.
To become a pharmacist in the U.S., you typically need to complete a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program, which usually takes around 4 years after completing prerequisite undergraduate coursework.
Considerations for Decision-Making:
When deciding whether to pursue medical school or pharmacy school, it’s essential to assess your interests, strengths, career goals, lifestyle preferences, and willingness to commit to an intensive educational journey.
Researching both professions thoroughly, speaking with current professionals in each field, and possibly shadowing or volunteering in healthcare settings can provide valuable insights into what each career entails.
In conclusion,the decision on whether going to medical school is worth it depends on your personal aspirations, dedication to the field of medicine or pharmacy, willingness to endure the challenges of rigorous training programs, and passion for making a difference in healthcare.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): AAMC provides comprehensive information about medical education pathways in the U.S., including data on medical school admissions requirements, curriculum structures, and career outcomes for graduates.
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP): AACP offers insights into pharmacy education programs across the U.S., detailing prerequisites for PharmD programs, accreditation standards, and resources for aspiring pharmacists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): BLS offers reliable data on job outlooks, salary trends, and educational requirements for various healthcare professions like physicians/surgeons and pharmacists.
GOD BLESS YOU!
JC.