Since childhood,
becoming a doctor has been one of one's ambitions. Indeed, doctors have long
been viewed as white-suited heroes whose first goal is to save people's live
and revive their smile.
However, being a
doctor has notable drawbacks including; Long training periods, very long
studying hours, heavy workload, little remuneration in the early
years, and ongoing danger of litigation. You will undoubtedly have to make a
lot of compromises along the road.
So if we take off our
rose-tinted lenses, would we still see becoming a doctor from the same perspective?
will it be worthwhile to pursue a career as a doctor?
Such thoughts may
trouble anyone when they have to decide whether to apply to medical school or
not. Clearly, it is purely a subjective viewpoint. I personally can tell you
how I feel being a sixth medical student, however I can't in any way predict
how you will feel being as an aspiring physician.
Though negativity
generates more debate, and individuals with a negative mindset are more likely
to speak the loudest. I will try to offer you a more balanced perspective.
In this article, we
will find out together the pros and cons of being a doctor, answering the
famous questions “is it worth it becoming a doctor?” helping you decide whether
you take this path or not.
For this we will
tackle the following points:
1. 1- Is it really so difficult to become a doctor?
2. 2- Is Medicine Worth It?
3. 3- When Is Becoming a Doctor Not Worth It?
Is it really so
difficult to become a doctor?
Medical school is only
the initial chapter of a long and challenging path. As obvious as it seems,
being a doctor is not an easy task, it necessitates multiple hardships. It is a
time-consuming, demanding process that requires a great level of dedication and
skill.
shifts can be
physically, intellectually, and emotionally exhausting. nevertheless, the level
of activity on any given day can vary significantly, which makes being a doctor
much more tolerable.
Most systems need
between five and eight years of study before granting a medical degree. Adding to
that years spent in residency. So it is a very long journey that needs you focused
and implicated all the way long.
In my personal
opinion, I feel one of the most difficult things you encounter being a doctor is
the fear of feeling like if you let one of your patients down, feeling that you
should have done more and better. This overwhelming feeling may come from
thinking you’ve done a mistake, or missing an overarching diagnosis…
To be aboveboard, if
your dream is to be a doctor, go for it. Remember if others could do it and
succeed, you can too. It’s a subjective experience, and the level of difficulty
varies a lot from one another. Indeed, it is prerequisite to take other’s
opinion and learn more from one’s experience but don’t let negativity take over
you. Sometimes we have to live in order to tell the tale.
Is Medicine Worth
It?
During the period of studying
in a medical school and even before holding the top job title, you still can make
a tangible good difference in people's life, and bring back happiness into it. Thoughts
of holding someone else's health or life in your hands make you want to do
everything you can, regardless the fact that medicine is never a precise
science, and this is the challenge. Furthermore, being that close to
patients and feeling the contribution you make in their wellbeing, will not
only bring joy to them but to you too.
Throughout the
process, you get to know the best people, and build some great friendship. Despite
the long hours work there is a camaraderie among the whole medical team that
will ease the hardships whilst everyone collaborates to enhance the standard of
care given to the people in front of them.
Adding to that, plenty
are the benefits of being a doctor including; High Salaries, Good Employment
Rate, constant learning, Better Career Advancement, and particularly you will live
the most unique experiences…
Despite the
significant drawbacks, I believe that becoming a doctor is absolutely
worthwhile and will most likely be a decision you will never regret. Besides, an
excellent income will amply pay all the hard work and expenses.
When Is Becoming a
Doctor Not Worth It?
In fact, being a
doctor is not for everyone, and there may be situations and persons for whom it
is not worthwhile.
For instance, if money
and status are all what matter for you, then you are choosing wrong, and being
a doctor is not for you. You can follow different paths where earing money is
way easier, without bothering the long journey. Being a doctor is far more than
a good salary and an appealing status.
Get to know yourself,
and learn about your interests; if studying the human body wasn’t among your
passions then you will simply find the subject matter to be extremely boring and
dull. Consequently, you will lack motivation to study and learn more. Besides, considerably
raising the perceived difficulty of becoming a doctor.
Ask yourself why you
want to be a doctor? Is it your choice or your family’s one? Did you choose it
because you are fond of the medical field or to please your parents? Are you
just opting for it since all your friends applied to medical school? Or it is a
decision based on your passion and personal desire?
Because when you
desire something, no matter how challenging it becomes, you relish the
suffering and relish the trip.
Remember, going to
medical school may be really challenging, yet there isn't much to lose. You still
can move from medicine to a similar scientific undergraduate subject If the
worst happens and you're not loving it.
Finally, in my humble opinion,
it is really worth it. It is a decision I will never regret. Moreover, I feel
so grateful to be a part of the medical community. It is a privilege only you
can feeling it when you have it. Don’t overthink it a lot and go for it.