White-Tiger Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Specifically, why do you want to become a doctor? I'd like to know why you, personally, want to become a doctor and what drew you to this field? Let me start: One of the big reasons I want to become a doctor is the ability to work with people and be in position to help people who need it. That is to say, I couldn't imagine myself working behind a little cubicle all day and only talking to the same 2-3 people. Another important aspect of this profession is that it is continually evolving and there's always an opportunity to be challenged and learn new things. And lastly (well off the top of my head anyway), I think it's important to have pride in your own profession and what you accomplish on a daily basis, and I do feel medicine would bring this to me. So, again, why do YOU want to become a doctor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarface Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Here is the reason why I think most people want to go into medicine. It all comes down to social status. In previous eras, social status was considered immutable. For example, you were born into a certain class (i.e. peasant/ aristocrat) and would remain in that class throughout your life. Social status was a matter of privelege, rather than meritocracy. Nowadays, that has changed. Those who wish to transcend the boundaries of social stratification can do so. Profession is one indicator of social status. This is why many people want to become doctors/lawyers. I would agree that many physicians are not as materialistic as the general public perceives them to be (i.e. they don't want to go into medicine for the $$$), but I strongly feel that social status is the primary reason why many want to go into this profession, whether people wish to acknowledge this fact or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jochi1543 Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Our strive to become doctors, which has resulted in insane competition for spots in med school, is a non-violent form of war, if you really think about it. Interesting, I've never thought about it this way before. I kind of "fell" into it....wanted to get a volunteer gig summer after my freshman year, and a friend who was volunteering at a community clinic told me to go and apply there. I ended up volunteering there for 3 years until I graduated and moved out of state. I didn't start considering medicine until a a year after I started there, and took it slow from there - first I wanted to try volunteering at a hospital for a change of pace, then make sure I'm good at science, etc. So I think it was really a few coincidences combined with a practical approach that ended up leading me to this decision. At some point I had just realized that out of all things I had done and that I could imagine doing for years in the future, the best was the clinical volunteer experience, and I went from there. I think one of the most important aspects for me was the ability to interact with new people every day and build relationships. For example, at my current job, I only really interact with my coworkers - we are a B2B company - and I really miss meeting new people every day and talking to them. I also value the altruistic part of the job...I've always enjoyed donating my time to helping other people, so a job that had it at the very heart of it seems like a great fit. I also like the ability to set your own hours, delve into whatever areas interest you outside of your main area of focus, ability to travel for work if you choose, and opportunity to make a huge impact. Financial stability is definitely a huge bonus; while I considered the career of a social worker for a while, I eventually had to decide against it because it is so poorly paid. Would I become a doctor if they got paid $24,000 a year? I'm pretty sure I wouldn't. Would I take a specialty that doesn't interest me but pays half a million a year instead of becoming a family doctor making $80,000 a year? No - after all the necessities and some small luxuries are covered, money stops being too important for me. I can't imagine working a job where I could never afford my own house or adequately raise a child if I were a single mother, but $$$ and status is not the most important thing to me. If it were, I would've stuck by my old specialty in Economics and gone back to Russia to work at my dad's investment bank and make $200,000+ a year my first year out of school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smurfette Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Sure, social status and money are important, but as Jochi pointed out there's other professions where you can gain these things (and arguably with less pain involved). Therefore, all these people who desire to be physicians must be attracted to the profession for a variety of other reasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Law Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Sure, social status and money are important, but as Jochi pointed out there's other professions where you can gain these things (and arguably with less pain involved). Therefore, all these people who desire to be physicians must be attracted to the profession for a variety of other reasons. I agree. There are plenty of jobs that offer social status and money that are not nearly as time consuming (both in terms of length of study and in terms of hours spent working on the job) as medicine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarface Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 I realized I didn't answer the original poster's question, why do YOU want to become a doctor? Well, for me it comes down to $$$. And income is an indicator of social status. If I had connections and were able to secure a $200,000 degree upon graduation with a bachelor's degree I would take it. I'm sure there are many other professions which are high status/high pay but I can't think of too many. Professor? I don't like research. Lawyer? Not for me. I prefer something health care related- which rules out nursing, PT, OT, SLP, social work, etc. Maybe I should consider dentistry. I still think MOST (not all) people wanting to go into medicine wish to do so for social status. This is evident when people start thinking about specializing, which I believe is the primary reason for our family doctor shortage. Here's an analogy to dwell upon: family doc = $300,000 bench warmer, high paying specialist = Barry Bonds. Jochi, I really respect your values, and this society needs more people like you, people willing to go into family medicine and serve in rural communities. Unfortunately, I won't be one of these people. As long as my patients like me and as long as I do my job well, I think I will be a worthy addition to this profession regardless of my intentions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smileydoc Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 world peace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weirdity Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 I am impressed by what I can only tell online as honesty, Scarface. But I'm curious - why wouldn't you be one of those people? There seems to be some sort of calculation at work (between work/suffering, preferences, social status and money), and I wondered if you could elaborate. And why do you feel that way? I'm not looking to attack you, but I'm curious, as I imagine it'd help me with my decision. Jochi, I really respect your values, and this society needs more people like you, people willing to go into family medicine and serve in rural communities. Unfortunately, I won't be one of these people. As long as my patients like me and as long as I do my job well, I think I will be a worthy addition to this profession regardless of my intentions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kuantum Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 OP, I hope you are not trying to hijack answers for your essays.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimmyMax Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Hey, OP, I hope you are not trying to hijack answers for your essays.... That's what it sounds like to me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarface Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Well if that's the case, feel free to hijack my ideas. You have my permission to add them to your essay verbatim. To answer your question, Weirdity, I would like you to watch the movie Scarface, starring Al Pacino as Tony Montano. I understand you may not have the time, so I'll give you a brief synopsis. Tony Montano, a cuban immigrant, arrives to Florida with nothing, pursues the "big American dream" to the point of obsession, realizes things ain't quite so rosy "up there", and falls to his demise. Ironically, the same might happen to me. I may find the pride and glory of medicine not worth the toil and suffering, settle for a family residency, and serve in a rural community. Now if that were to happen, Tony Montana wouldn't be very proud of me . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White-Tiger Posted August 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 OP, I hope you are not trying to hijack answers for your essays.... If that were the case why would I start by stating my reasons? I know mine, I'm simply curious of other people's reasons... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kuantum Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 If that were the case why would I start by stating my reasons? I know mine, I'm simply curious of other people's reasons... You just gave that impression, even though you stated your apparent reasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muchdutch Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 For me, many of the same reasons as other people have already mentioned. The kicker for me, however, was a diagnosis of a disease and two doctors who really shine in my eyes. One who finally diagnosed me after two misdiagnoses (sp?) and has incredible bedside manner, and has had it from day 1 (before the diagnosis). The other was a specialist who was the most amazing individual I had ever met. I dealt with a few other specialists who have not been nearly as supportive/helpful/caring/patient/wonderful. He had a profound impact on my life. This specialist was dazzling to me - dazzling I say!! So I will one day strive to be as dazzling to my patients as he was to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jochi1543 Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 For me, many of the same reasons as other people have already mentioned. The kicker for me, however, was a diagnosis of a disease and two doctors who really shine in my eyes. One who finally diagnosed me after two misdiagnoses (sp?) and has incredible bedside manner, and has had it from day 1 (before the diagnosis). The other was a specialist who was the most amazing individual I had ever met. I dealt with a few other specialists who have not been nearly as supportive/helpful/caring/patient/wonderful. He had a profound impact on my life. This specialist was dazzling to me - dazzling I say!! So I will one day strive to be as dazzling to my patients as he was to me. Yup! I've also been influenced by a very caring professional at the clinic where I volunteered....just plain meeting different doctors can have a huge impact on your decision. I recently switched physicians, because while both my old doctor and my new one are entirely competent, my new doc is a lot more like the doctor *I* would want to be - takes time to listen, very mild-mannered, soft-spoken - I felt like I was with an old friend the second I entered the room. The lady I had before was very curt, abrupt, and came off as having a condescending attitude (though this may have been just an impression - but it was still negative nonetheless). I think since I've begun considering medicine, I've started to pay a LOT more attention to the way medical professionals around me handle themselves and started to take notes over what makes a good doctor (to me, anyway) and what makes a bad one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr nomis Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 ... It all comes down to social status. ... Interestingly enough, in Europe, physicians aren't held on as high a social 'pedestal' as they are in North America; medicine is considered to be more like just another profession. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooty Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Do you guys even realize how much the job is going to suck? We have to work long hours. We'll be under constant pressure. The money is not even that great considering the the opportunity costs, education costs, amount of hours you work, and the chump change salary you'll make as a resident. Depending on your residency, you could be making that slave-labour salary for up to 9 years. We'll also have to deal with a lot of cr.ap, literally. I'm going for it because taking care of people makes me feel good. I think that outweighs the cr.ap that comes with the job. I guess that social status thing affects me too. Otherwise, I'd be a male nurse, which I can never do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kuantum Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 I've been pretty fortunate in university so far that I haven't really had to work for money, and no my parents are not loaded. So, everything I've done hasn't been about the money, or what it will get me, I pretty much do everything for myself. Sure it sounds a little selfish, but part of what I do for myself involves doing stuff for others. In all honesty, the simple and basic truth as to why I want to go into medicine is because it tickles my fancy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarface Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 Geez, over 1000 people read this thread. If I knew that many people were going to read it at the time, I wouldn't have been so brutally honest about my intentions. Oh well, what's done is done. Everyone knows I don't like people who judge others, but I never said anything about judging myself, so here goes: "scarface is an evil villian. He wants to go into medicine solely for the $$$. Therefore he is evil. After all, the love of money is the root of all evil. People like scarface do not deserve to be in medicine". Actually, I like helping people as well believe it or not, but that comes a distant 3rd after money and prestige. Okay, maybe a close third. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muchdutch Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 It's great that you're honest with yourself, and honest with all of us here (in a fairly anonymous forum), but the big question is whether you will be honest about your intentions to the interview committee... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarface Posted September 15, 2006 Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 Well for those of you who believe in God, you can pray that I won't get an interview. . . But actually that might not be necessary. I've been reading some of the old posts in the dental forum, and have been really inspired by "TheChosenOneDDS" (and I thought I was obnoxious, blunt, and lacking internet etiquette . . .) I wish I found these forums when he/she was still an active user. Thanks to the theChosenOne's insightful comments, I think I'm more suitable for dentistry than medicine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jocelynk Posted September 15, 2006 Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 If I were in it for the money, I'd just continue to be a programmer... Working from home, chosing my own hours, no expenses, etc. I haven't really looked at what a doctor makes. Not interested. I've always been absolutely amazed with the human body - each atom, each molecule, each cell working towards the same thing. Keeping the body alive; producing appropriate hormones, reproduction, growth, etc., Even when we're sleeping, our bodies are off doing hundreds of things to keep everything alive and running. I'm also a very friendly and outgoing person. I excel best under pressure and I used to stay up for days because I'd be too busy to sleep... A sign, perhaps? I'm also awesome with people and love meeting new ones. The only part about being a doctor that I can see as a problem... Is having patients die and then having to tell the family. Also, the chance of me possibly losing my family to my work. Who knows - there might be a way around that pitfall. I'd like to remain optomistic about that, but I'm almost convinced it's unrealistic to assume I could be a doctor and be a great girlfriend (probably wife by then) and a great mom all at the same time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarzi Posted September 15, 2006 Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 I realized I didn't answer the original poster's question, why do YOU want to become a doctor? Well, for me it comes down to $$$. And income is an indicator of social status. If I had connections and were able to secure a $200,000 degree upon graduation with a bachelor's degree I would take it. I'm sure there are many other professions which are high status/high pay but I can't think of too many. Professor? I don't like research. Lawyer? Not for me. I prefer something health care related- which rules out nursing, PT, OT, SLP, social work, etc. Maybe I should consider dentistry. I still think MOST (not all) people wanting to go into medicine wish to do so for social status. This is evident when people start thinking about specializing, which I believe is the primary reason for our family doctor shortage. Here's an analogy to dwell upon: family doc = $300,000 bench warmer, high paying specialist = Barry Bonds. Jochi, I really respect your values, and this society needs more people like you, people willing to go into family medicine and serve in rural communities. Unfortunately, I won't be one of these people. As long as my patients like me and as long as I do my job well, I think I will be a worthy addition to this profession regardless of my intentions. I really do think the shortage of family physicians, and the existence of underserved communities (like rural areas), underserved to the point where they needed to create a medical school specifically for graduating doctors to work in rural ontario - speaks volumes about the kinds of people who enter medical school and their motives for pursuing the MD. People talk about presige in other fields...but prestige is relative. I mean, within the Law community, going to a top 10 school is more presitigous than going to a tier 3 school, being a judge is more prest than a divorce lawyer etc. I still believe that for our society in general, being a Head Surgeon is more prestigious than being the CEO of Scotia Bank or something to that extent. Even within medicine itself, family medicine, carribean MD are seen as inferior. The need to feel I find it funny that the admissions process seeks well rounded individuals who want to help ppl, ppl oriented, good social skills, and most ppl will write this ni their PSes - yet Radiology (where there's little patient encounters) is the most sought after speciality and the difficulty in itself (so i've read) makes it worth pursuing (sorta like med school?). I do feel, however, that it is a mix of wanting to help people directly, making an impact on people's lives, money, and social status. But in order for us to want to sacrafice our prime years, busting our butts to maintain good gpas, doing the EC's, research, etc then busting our butts again in med school, doing the entire process (high grades, good board exams, ECs, research, LORS, Personal Statements, interviews) over again b/c we want the good specialities and residency spots - without our hunger for power and relatively better than average income, what else drives us to do this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zibby Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 I've been considering a career in medicine on and off for quite some time. I think that once people start engaging in these thoughts, they're immediately flooded with a wealth of possibilities. We're all aware that the paychecks are "not bad" to say the least, and that the distinction of having the MD next to ones name carries specific privelages as well. However, when your working 24 hr. shifts in the ER, you haven't slept properly in days, and you have staff and patients running around like mad, the novelty of it all fades away fairly quickly I'd imagine. Patients care needs to be THE priority on all of our lists. I hope I'm not sounding too idealistic here, but without a genuine concern and passion for this job, one is likely to get "eaten alive" before they even finish residency. As far as social esteem goes, there will always be stratification in society as well as the workplace. That is, there will always be a better MD out there. For me, I spent some time in Africa and Eastern Europe working in missions and the like and the smiles thaty doctors put on children's faces are enough of a motivation for them to continue to work and thrive in such terrible conditions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Law Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 I've been considering a career in medicine on and off for quite some time. I think that once people start engaging in these thoughts, they're immediately flooded with a wealth of possibilities. We're all aware that the paychecks are "not bad" to say the least, and that the distinction of having the MD next to ones name carries specific privelages as well. However, when your working 24 hr. shifts in the ER, you haven't slept properly in days, and you have staff and patients running around like mad, the novelty of it all fades away fairly quickly I'd imagine. Patients care needs to be THE priority on all of our lists. I hope I'm not sounding too idealistic here, but without a genuine concern and passion for this job, one is likely to get "eaten alive" before they even finish residency. As far as social esteem goes, there will always be stratification in society as well as the workplace. That is, there will always be a better MD out there. For me, I spent some time in Africa and Eastern Europe working in missions and the like and the smiles thaty doctors put on children's faces are enough of a motivation for them to continue to work and thrive in such terrible conditions. Well said. *claps* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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