When considering a career in medicine and the prospect of attending medical school, it's important to take a practical and objective perspective. In this blog post, we will explore the idea of viewing medical school as one of many training programs for a specific profession, rather than an emotional journey or a life calling. This allows us to assess the merits of pursuing a career in medicine based on its tangible benefits and drawbacks, rather than personal feelings or societal expectations. Is this a healthy mentality to have? Let's dive in and find out.
Evaluating Medical School as a Training Program
First, let's consider medical school in the context of other professional training programs. Like law school, business school, or other specialized graduate programs, medical school is designed to provide students with the education and skills necessary to excel in their chosen field – in this case, medicine. It is a means to an end, rather than an end in itself.
By looking at medical school purely from a professional standpoint, we can assess its value based on factors such as the quality of education, the resources available, the networking opportunities, and the potential return on investment. This pragmatic approach allows prospective students to make informed decisions about whether medical school is the right choice for them, without becoming clouded by emotions or personal biases.
Medicine as One of Many Careers
It's also important to recognize that medicine is just one of many career options available to individuals. While it may be a prestigious and rewarding field, it is not the only path to success, nor is it the best choice for everyone. By treating medicine as one potential career among many, we can more objectively weigh its pros and cons, and make better choices about whether it's the right fit for us.
The Pros and Cons of a Career in Medicine
When considering a career in medicine, it's crucial to objectively evaluate the advantages and disadvantages. Some of the benefits of pursuing a career in medicine include:
Job security and stability: The demand for healthcare professionals is consistently high, making it a relatively stable and secure career choice.
High earning potential: Physicians and other healthcare professionals often enjoy high salaries, which can help offset the cost of medical school and provide a comfortable lifestyle.
Opportunities to make a difference: Many people find fulfillment in helping others and improving their patients' lives.
However, there are also some drawbacks to consider:
Long and expensive education: Medical school and residency require significant investments of both time and money.
High stress and responsibility: Physicians often work long hours and may have to make difficult decisions with life-or-death implications.
Work-life balance challenges: Balancing the demands of a medical career with personal and family life can be challenging for some individuals.
Is a Pragmatic Approach to Medical School Healthy?
Ultimately, viewing medical school and a career in medicine from a purely professional standpoint can be a healthy mentality to have. By removing emotions from the equation, we can more objectively assess the value and appropriateness of medical school and a career in medicine for our individual goals and circumstances.
That being said, it's important not to completely disregard the emotional aspect of pursuing a career in medicine. Passion and personal fulfillment can be powerful motivators that drive success and resilience in the face of challenges. Striking a balance between a pragmatic approach and considering one's personal feelings and motivations can lead to a well-rounded decision-making process.
At the end of the day, go to medical school if you want to become a doctor and practice medicine. Simple as that.
Post-script:
I am starting to take Wellbutrin, and boy has my perspective changed quite a bit. Will follow-up in a future post.
What motivated you when you chose to go to med school? Why did you stop?