Reasons to do Med/dentistry; Reasons to not do Med/dentistry (1 Viewer)

[tmahendradatta]

Hey all,

After doing 3 years of a med sci degree at UNSW, I have a really crap feeling about alot of people in science looking to do Med/dentistry or anythig else clinical:

"They don't really know what to do with themselves; but are just going for Med because everybody else is doing it/saying to do it"

And I'm pretty sure my hunch is correct There is atleast 40% of people in my course (not naming names) that have no idea what they want to do... but stil want to apply for med. I'm probably the odd ball in Med Sci that wants to go into either research or commercialisation; so my views on medicine are slightly tainted. BUT... I was once year 12 student who went into medsci to get into medicine. Here are the reasons why I chose not to do medicine (fwiw in order):

1. Your lifestyle over the next 10 years is going to be close to nil, particularly once you have to start doing prac/specialise. (on reflection now; this was the main reason why I opted out - night shifts would suck + being 34 and not married because I had another 2 years of physiology training to do wasn't appealing).
2. I didn't want to do something purely for the kudos. I realised this when I was applying for the lateral entry scheme in 2nd year... the status and kudos you get from being a doctor is just a **** reason to do med IMHO
3. I could just see myself hating the idea of being around sick people all the time.
4. For some reason; I've always seen being a clinician as someone who 'chronically manages someone/some aspect of a patient's health till death'.

The only reasons why I thought you should go in are:

1. Job security
2. It's rewarding to see somebody's health turn around.
3. Your options are wider vs just a plain science/arts/business degree (as being a clinician opens alot of doors)
4. The money that can be potentially earned is large

So, what are the reasons to get to; to not do Med. I'm sure alot of people will learn something from this thread (but mainly me cause I haven't done alot of wide reading into health careers). If your a lurker - post and share an opinion.

So... Reasons to do Med/dentistry; Reasons to not do Med/dentisty. I don't mind if we lump optometry or x-therapy because they frequently deal with people. Lets not include pharmarcy or science. Go time --> Discuss.

 

[ilikebeeef]

I think one "reason" people do med is because doctors have status and people with high ATARs, who don't know what they want to do, just do it because they feel that it complements their high ATAR. I also believe that parent's expectations can be a factor.

EDIT: I mean, seriously, some asian parents are just crazy about it.

3. Your options are wider vs just a plain science/arts/business degree (as being a clinician opens alot of doors)

How? Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?

 

[philphie]

reasons to do med- because scrubs and M*A*S*H* are awesome shows!!! imagine how epic your life would be?!?!?!


reasons not to do med- Grey's Anatomy.

 

[ilikebeeef]

^lol

 

[tmahendradatta]

I think one "reason" people do med is because doctors have status and people with high ATARs, who don't know what they want to do, just do it because they feel that it complements their high ATAR. I also believe that parent's expectations can be a factor.

EDIT: I mean, seriously, some asian parents are just crazy about it.



How? Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?

Oh - really? What are your reasons for going for it? Yea - I understand the asian parent bit...

With the wider options thing (this is an assumption btw); If your a clinician; you can go into research, you can also go into business + other organisation work too... rather than just accounting or just research.

Why would it be the 'other way around'?

 

[tmahendradatta]

reasons to do med- because scrubs and M*A*S*H* are awesome shows!!! imagine how epic your life would be?!?!?!


reasons not to do med- Grey's Anatomy.

lol. Yea --> it would be awesome to have background music and a random gospel choir singing whilst performing a biopsy. ummmmm - gl with med.

 

[ilikebeeef]

Oh - really? What are your reasons for going for it? Yea - I understand the asian parent bit...

I'm not planning to do med... lol.

With the wider options thing (this is an assumption btw); If your a clinician; you can go into research, you can also go into business + other organisation work too... rather than just accounting or just research.

Why would it be the 'other way around'?

Because there are so many branches of science out there eg Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Sciences, Electronics, Food technology and each one can lead to many kinds of technological professions.

Med on the other hand just focuses on everything medical. It is more specialised. Science is broader. Same goes for business because there are a myriad of types of businesses you can take on.

 

[tmahendradatta]

I'm not planning to do med... lol.



Because there are so many branches of science out there eg Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Sciences, Electronics, Food technology and each one can lead to many kinds of technological professions.

Med on the other hand just focuses on everything medical. It is more specialised. Science is broader. Same goes for business because there are a myriad of types of businesses you can take on.

Oh I get what you mean.
THe reason why I say science is narrower is that you have to choose one and specialise in it. For e.g; you its uncommon to study geology and physics at the same time. You usually just do geology for 3 years, or physics for three years. Your other major would be somethingrelated to the fied.

Once you've specialised in science (say geology); your career options become narrowed significantly to either research (discovering new stuff/expanding knowledge), consulting (Giving advice to others about which is the best business decision) or as an anaylst (So market research in your field and providing a translation to a clueless stockbroker) --> and there are other fields within geology you can probably go into as well. Get what I mean?

Also with business --> Unlikely this event would be; what stops a docotor from being able to start up a Lindt Cafe franchise? Or for working for PWC or E&Y a a consultant? My point is that; just because you study one area... it doesn't necessarily mean you will end up working in that area. being a clinician you can practice what you've been trained to do, but you can also branch out within your field.

 

[ilikebeeef]

Oh I get what you mean.
THe reason why I say science is narrower is that you have to choose one and specialise in it. For e.g; you its uncommon to study geology and physics at the same time. You usually just do geology for 3 years, or physics for three years. Your other major would be somethingrelated to the fied.

Once you've specialised in science (say geology); your career options become narrowed significantly to either research (discovering new stuff/expanding knowledge), consulting (Giving advice to others about which is the best business decision) or as an anaylst (So market research in your field and providing a translation to a clueless stockbroker) --> and there are other fields within geology you can probably go into as well. Get what I mean?

Isn't that the same for med, except to a greater extent? Most med people just become GPs and stay that way for a long time.

Also with business --> Unlikely this event would be; what stops a docotor from being able to start up a Lindt Cafe franchise? Or for working for PWC or E&Y a a consultant? My point is that; just because you study one area... it doesn't necessarily mean you will end up working in that area.

I think that's the same for everything, really. Anyone can start up a business. But the knowledge gained from doing a relevant degree in that area would be a great advantage.

 

[tmahendradatta]

Isn't that the same for med, except to a greater extent? Most med people just become GPs and stay that way for a long time.

Yea it is - but I still think career options are relatively wider compared to what options a pure medical science (for e.g). The scientist ca only go into research (be in a lab) or business (like be a consultant). A doctor can go into all clinical (neuro surgeon), research (and business. Within each field has their own mini branches/niches of work.

Also --> not to mention; job security is higher being a doctor. As a scientist; unless you publish--> you're life span is about 3 years... or your lab fall aparts becuse you don't get funding. But I think in the end of the day; you work to gain an income to be able to put food on the table and pay off the $121481203481204 mortgage. So thats probably the main reasons why GPs stay as GPs for a long time.

I think that's the same for everything, really. Anyone can start up a business. But the knowledge gained from doing a relevant degree in that area would be a great advantage.

Yes and no. Yes; doing/knowing accounting is beneficial. No; because degrees don't teach you how to sell. Thats something you have to figure out yourself.

 

[Babbu]

Med or Accounting? Why do people think of going to only these two fields?
At least those who love Maths and Physics should go for either high level engineering or for research in Maths or Physics. At least those who say they do not wish to work for the sake of only moneyshould think differently.
Like I didn't opt for Med even when I could easily have done so. I'll continue with my passion for my favorite subjects - money or no money.