How did you 'realize' medicine was for you?

[neuropsy]

I've heard stories of people having life-changing moments that made them turn to medicine.

Was there a turning point? a sign? a defining moment? What made you realize medicine was for you?

[medguy5367]

Nope no life-changing moment for me.

 

 

I gradually became interested in psychology, neurology, mental disorders, etc. I also have a high aptitude for the sciences and I have excellent communication skills.

 

Plus medicine is a very stable and financially rewarding field, which was a big part of why I chose it.

[in2bat0r]

I started my career as a paramedic and as I gained experience in the field my knowledge expanded, yet my skill set remained limited. Not enough tools in the paramedic tool box I suppose..Also working along side physicians from various specialities gave me great insight into the world of medicine.

[neuropsy]

Nope no life-changing moment for me.

 

 

I gradually became interested in psychology, neurology, mental disorders, etc. I also have a high aptitude for the sciences and I have excellent communication skills.

 

Plus medicine is a very stable and financially rewarding field, which was a big part of why I chose it.

 

Thanks for your response, I'm in a similar boat. I find myself interested in mental disorders, psychology and neurology. However, why did you choose medicine over clinical psychology (or clinical neuropsychology)?

[Novus]

Thanks for your response, I'm in a similar boat. I find myself interested in mental disorders, psychology and neurology. However, why did you choose medicine over clinical psychology (or clinical neuropsychology)?

 

Probably for money and more freedom such as prescribing rights,but clinical psychologists are slowly acquiring these rights in U.S. and it will definitely hit Canada in a few years,which will make Clinical Psychologist salaries boom to the 130-150k/year marks quite fast.

[medguy5367]

Thanks for your response, I'm in a similar boat. I find myself interested in mental disorders, psychology and neurology. However, why did you choose medicine over clinical psychology (or clinical neuropsychology)?

 

- More career options (eg. location of practice, field of specialization)

- Job stability and $$$

 

Also as far as I am aware clinical pyschologists cannot even prescribe medication.

[medguy5367]

Probably for money and more freedom such as prescribing rights,but clinical psychologists are slowly acquiring these rights in U.S. and it will definitely hit Canada in a few years,which will make Clinical Psychologist salaries boom to the 130-150k/year marks quite fast.

 

Wow you just posted the exact same reasons as me a few seconds before me... lol!

[Novus]

- More career options (eg. location of practice, field of specialization)

- Job stability and $$$

 

Also as far as I am aware clinical pyschologists cannot even prescribe medication.

 

There is a fight between Psychiatrists and Clinical Psychologists in the U.S. for prescribing rights and more procedures for Psychologists,Clinical Psychologists won most of the debates and several states are planning to give them the right to prescribe + take care of more procedures.

In the bottom line,Psychiatrists will have to accept salary cuts sooner or later since Clinical Psychologists are ready to do a lot of their job for less money(even though it's above average...)

Hospitals are reconsidering their choices to hire Psychiatrists at 200-250$/hour while they can pay Clinical Psychologists 100$/hour and make them do most of the job.

 

 

One thing is sure,Psychiatrists will always be needed for complex cases,but Clinical Psychology is expected to boom in a few years.

[shannn]

I figured medicine was for me when I came to discover that everything else wasn't.

 

I was interested in teaching, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, clinical psychology, and as much as I didn't want to be a doctor (I was kind of opposed to it at first), I realized that medicine had everything I wanted in a profession:

-lifelong learning

-ability to switch between clinical and research work

-being able to make an impact on people's lives here and afar

-building long term relationships with my patients

-great variety of work I can do

-being able to work a steady job almost anywhere in North America

 

And...I discovered my passion for medicine

[Novus]

I figured medicine was for me when I came to discover that everything else wasn't.

 

I was interested in teaching, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, clinical psychology, and as much as I didn't want to be a doctor (I was kind of opposed to it at first), I realized that medicine had everything I wanted in a profession:

-lifelong learning

-ability to switch between clinical and research work

-being able to make an impact on people's lives here and afar

-building long term relationships with my patients

-great variety of work I can do

-being able to work a steady job almost anywhere in North America

 

And...I discovered my passion for medicine

 

Wow,the first guy i see that doesn't put Salary as the first point of the list,great job sir,you definitely deserve your spot in Medicine!

[apache]

Financial reward and stability, plus AUTONOMY and FLEXIBILITY of PRACTICE! Having worked on psych care teams I wanted to be the one with the last call on the treatment plan, plus you can do CBT, DBT, ITP, Psycodynamic, Counselling, Humanistic and Mindfullness therapies as a psychiatrist too, you don't necessarily have to be a pill pusher, although psychopharm is invaluable.

 

There's also Neuropsychiatry subspecialties if you're interested!

 

I'f you're interested in all three take a look at U of T's psych institute for med students and apply next year, they really show how you're able to synthesize all three going the medicine route

 

Thanks for your response, I'm in a similar boat. I find myself interested in mental disorders, psychology and neurology. However, why did you choose medicine over clinical psychology (or clinical neuropsychology)?

[apache]

Clinical Psychologists average 120-180 an hour already, if you work in private practice; you just have to establish a client base. If they want a script they usually consult the GP and not a psychiatrist unless it's a complex case or they're working on a case management team.

 

Plus, going to a good psychiatry program like U of T will make you equally as apt at CBT or whatever therapy you want since their faculty consists of numerous psychologists and there's tons of electives in psychotherapy.

 

Clin Psych programs are usually ridiculously research intensive (go to the states and get a Psych D. if you want to learn more clinical aspects of psychology)

 

Psychologists shouldn't touch prescribing privileges, psych drugs are notorious for drug interactions and side effects that can really only be evaluated by someone with a complete understanding of the human body.

 

 

There is a fight between Psychiatrists and Clinical Psychologists in the U.S. for prescribing rights and more procedures for Psychologists,Clinical Psychologists won most of the debates and several states are planning to give them the right to prescribe + take care of more procedures.

In the bottom line,Psychiatrists will have to accept salary cuts sooner or later since Clinical Psychologists are ready to do a lot of their job for less money(even though it's above average...)

Hospitals are reconsidering their choices to hire Psychiatrists at 200-250$/hour while they can pay Clinical Psychologists 100$/hour and make them do most of the job.

 

 

One thing is sure,Psychiatrists will always be needed for complex cases,but Clinical Psychology is expected to boom in a few years.

[Tango Charlie]

So glad there aren't any of those nauseating "well when I was 3 I had a cold and went to the doctor and it was at THAT MOMENT that I KNEW what I wanted to do with my life!" posts yet. I seriously doubt the mental stability of anyone who decides what their life will be anytime before they're an adult.

 

I figured this was the path for me during my paramedic schooling. I loved anatomy and pathophysiology to death and was severely disappointed with how shallow we went. I was even more disappointed with how simplistic paramedic work actually is. Conversely, I loved spending time in emerg, and especially loved watching autopsies. I wouldn't be satisfied at all working as a medic, but because I enjoyed medicine and taking care of patients so much, physician seemed like the obvious choice.

[A-Stark]

There was no singular event, but I've always been interested in the science and in health care as a system and public good. It's only really been since I've gotten more and more clinical exposure that I've become 100% sure I made the right choice - probably closer to 110% really.

[Jochi1543]

I also have a high aptitude for the sciences and I have excellent communication skills.

 

And modesty. You forgot exceptional modesty.

[Jochi1543]

For me it was the result of a chain of coincidences, for most part. I was originally an Econ major...I really liked Political Economics in high school, but found myself explicitly not interested in business OR an academic career. Plus my worst grades came from Econ - if your worst grades are in your major, that's a sign you are not studying what you should be! I was pretty unhappy after 2 years, but had a hard time pinning down the exact reason, so I was pondering transferring to another school (yet keeping the same major). Thankfully, I had a business internship after my 2nd year and found it so incredibly demoralizing and boring that I KNEW I had to switch to some other career path.

 

I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what I wanted to do. Incidentally, a year before I had started volunteering at this low-income/youth clinic as a patient educator - I had no interest in medicine at the time, just looking for a volunteer position to shake things up in the summer and a friend who volunteered there already suggested I join. I realized that it was my favorite activity out of all the stuff I had tried doing, so I decided my career would have to be related to it in some way. I seriously considered social work, but the job market and advancement prospects looked dim in comparison to medicine. I was never really into sciences, so I was pretty intimidated by the prospect of having to take physics, chem, etc. I decided to take physics and chem upon my return to school in 3rd year. I figured, if I got below a B, I'd not even bother with medicine anymore and just go the social worker route. Thankfully, I got an A+ and a B+, and then it's all history from there.

 

If I hadn't signed up to volunteer at that clinic and didn't end up at that internship, who knows how long (if at all) it would've taken me before I first considered med school!

[medguy5367]

And modesty. You forgot exceptional modesty.

 

How clever. Give yourself a pat on the back.

[Leon]

And modesty. You forgot exceptional modesty.

 

LOL

 

10c

[Novus]

 

Psychologists shouldn't touch prescribing privileges, psych drugs are notorious for drug interactions and side effects that can really only be evaluated by someone with a complete understanding of the human body.

 

 

Hey Lousiana and New Mexico C-Psychs have the right to prescribe and NEVER killed anyone+their salary boomed along with their responsibilities in the Hospital.

 

Remember that to get prescribing privileges in U.S.,you have to do a 18 months residency(after 5-6 years of Psy.D.,sometimes 7!) to learn about this field(Pharmacology,psychopharmacology etc...) and pass an examination that isn't easy either.

Yes the Psy.D. is very Research Intensive,but you get paid for it like you're in Medical residency.

 

It's just a matter of time till C-Psychs get the same rights all over North America since the Governments are sick and tired to pay the full price to Psychiatrists.(Not dissing on Psychiatrists,they all do a great job,but they are not as useful as before that's for sure.)

[thatonekid]

I figured medicine was for me when I came to discover that everything else wasn't.

 

I was interested in teaching, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, clinical psychology, and as much as I didn't want to be a doctor (I was kind of opposed to it at first), I realized that medicine had everything I wanted in a profession:

-lifelong learning

-ability to switch between clinical and research work

-being able to make an impact on people's lives here and afar

-building long term relationships with my patients

-great variety of work I can do

-being able to work a steady job almost anywhere in North America

 

And...I discovered my passion for medicine

This is pretty much exactly how I feel. I didn't pick medicine, but rather eliminated everything else!

[ladykilla421]

Completed a degree in nursing.....I loved the general subject matter like pharmacology, anatomy, bio....but hated being a nurse. Ive always had a passion for healthcare and after working briefly working as a nurse, decided I wanted to be a doctor.

[apache]

I don't even think there are 100 civilian prescribing psychs in all of the US.

Really not enough of a sample size to gage that this would be a safe widespread move as a whole.

 

You don't save much on clin psychologists anyways, I had a counseling prof who loved to talk about how much you can make in psych, and said it was easy to pull 165-200 with a PhD in Ed Psych (Counseling Psych), forget clinical with post grad psychopharmacology training those guys will be asking as for as much as MD's, at least in Canada. Giving psychologists prescribing privileges may help ameliorate a shortage and waitlists as well as open up a private sector in psych (since psychologists aren't a gov social service) but they're not lowering psychiatrists salaries or taking jobs by a long shot.

 

Hey Lousiana and New Mexico C-Psychs have the right to prescribe and NEVER killed anyone+their salary boomed along with their responsibilities in the Hospital.

 

Remember that to get prescribing privileges in U.S.,you have to do a 18 months residency(after 5-6 years of Psy.D.,sometimes 7!) to learn about this field(Pharmacology,psychopharmacology etc...) and pass an examination that isn't easy either.

Yes the Psy.D. is very Research Intensive,but you get paid for it like you're in Medical residency.

 

It's just a matter of time till C-Psychs get the same rights all over North America since the Governments are sick and tired to pay the full price to Psychiatrists.(Not dissing on Psychiatrists,they all do a great job,but they are not as useful as before that's for sure.)

[Novus]

I don't even think there are 100 civilian prescribing psychs in all of the US.

Really not enough of a sample size to gage that this would be a safe widespread move as a whole.

 

You don't save much on clin psychologists anyways, I had a counseling prof who loved to talk about how much you can make in psych, and said it was easy to pull 165-200 with a PhD in Ed Psych (Counseling Psych), forget clinical with post grad psychopharmacology training those guys will be asking as for as much as MD's, at least in Canada. Giving psychologists prescribing privileges may help ameliorate a shortage and waitlists as well as open up a private sector in psych (since psychologists aren't a gov social service) but they're not lowering psychiatrists salaries or taking jobs by a long shot.

 

Most of these state's psychologists DO have prescribing rights.

They are not giving out medications to everyone,they have to obey the law,which is to make all the proper tests before coming to a diagnosis,sometimes even ask a Pharmacist/Psychiatrist to come up with a conclusion.

 

Yes,the Government will save a lot of money off Clinical Psychs since most of these guys are ready to do the job for a lot less,i know a Psychologist can bill around 160-200 in private settings,but i'm talking about Hospital hired Clinical Psychologists,who are ready to provide care for 70-120$/hour.

Even government services such as U.S. Army/CIA/FBI prefer hiring Clin Psychs with starting salaries averaging 120k/year rather than hiring a Psychiatrist for 300k/year...

[littlegiraffe]

I figured medicine was for me when I came to discover that everything else wasn't.

 

I was interested in teaching, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, clinical psychology, and as much as I didn't want to be a doctor (I was kind of opposed to it at first), I realized that medicine had everything I wanted in a profession:

-lifelong learning

-ability to switch between clinical and research work

-being able to make an impact on people's lives here and afar

-building long term relationships with my patients

-great variety of work I can do

-being able to work a steady job almost anywhere in North America

 

And...I discovered my passion for medicine

 

 

I'm in the same boat....I feel like I tried everything. Growing up in the arts. Ballet, theatre, teaching, I have been working as a graphic designer for 4 plus years....it just sucked i found it hard to care and when i started volunteering, to fill my boredom with my job, I realized I just liked being in the community.... and that being creative can follow me with any job.

[littlegiraffe]

Also I am an american ex-pat and I felt after participating/volunteering in the health care system in canada I realized that although it isn't perfect i stand behind what is trying to do. I would rather take a pay cut and help everyone then get paid more and help less people. ( i know some sad stories from back home)