Why do people want to do medicine so badly? (srs)

[alexa94]

I'm genuinely interested as to why so many people in year 12 have their mind set only on medicine and nothing else. It's crazy how many people are only putting Monash MBBS, bonded mbbs, etc. followed by biomed then science at UoM on their preferences. So for prospective med students, are you only deadset on medicine? Why? Is it because you just genuinely want to help people so badly? (if the genuine answer to that is yes, then you have the utmost respect from me).

But seriously, consider:
-no life for the next 10 years (potentially longer if compeitng for entry via graduate pathway)
-extremely high workload
-extremely stressful (particularly intern years)
-see things that will haunt you for the rest of your life
-potentially have patient's life/health in your hands, make a mistake and you could be sued for all you're worth (not to mention the guilt that you'll have to live with forever).
-eventually get so sick of seeing patients, negating the moral reason why many people get into the profession
-just the nature of having to see deal with sick people every single day, i can imagine it would get rather depressing
-oversupply of graduates majorly threatening once secure job prospects
-not in a secure position financially until finished specialisation (most likely in 30s).
-and let's not forget how much effort it is to get in to the course in the first place.
-many people are willing to go interstate too; willing to give up your family, friends and life at home at such a young age (of course you can fly back, but it's not the same i wouldn't think)



(I know I may be generalising somewhat based on stereotypes, but only because they're true for the most part. Not meant to offend anyone who wants to do med). This is all coming from someone who once wanted to do med but has since become disillusioned. Of course there are obviously also many benefits attached to such a prestigious course, but it seems like you have to bring yourself through hell before you can really enjoy any of them.

[paulsterio]

- Money
- Power
- Pride
- Family Expectations
- Cultural Expectations
- Thinking it's pretty cool to do Medicine
- Wanting to take on the challenge
- Prestige
- Girls/Men
- Wanting to impress others
- Hatchet-jobed by their parents
- Not wanting to waste their ATAR


oh, then you have the rare few who want to help people

[alexa94]

The money aspect has somewhat taken a hit though, with the massive oversupply of interns due to the high number of med schools (add another to the list - most people will probably have to go rural for their intern years now). So the main benefits are really psychological (pride, satisfy parents, etc. as you mentioned) rather than practical advantages.

I'm not taking a dig at anyone doing med/anyone who is trying to get into the course, I am just curious as to how the phenomenon of 'it's either med or nothing' has arisen

[Russ]

Selection bias (you don't hear anything from the people who want to do a BA etc.)

edit, what, saying most people will have to go rural isn't true at all + the money is still very good.

[Surgeon]

I want to study medicine for the same reason everyone else does. Chicks, money, power and chicks.

[paulsterio]

But seriously, consider:
-no life for the next 10 years (potentially longer if compeitng for entry via graduate pathway)
-extremely high workload
-extremely stressful (particularly intern years)
-see things that will haunt you for the rest of your life
-potentially have patient's life/health in your hands, make a mistake and you could be sued for all you're worth (not to mention the guilt that you'll have to live with forever).
-eventually get so sick of seeing patients, negating the moral reason why many people get into the profession
-just the nature of having to see deal with sick people every single day, i can imagine it would get rather depressing
-oversupply of graduates majorly threatening once secure job prospects
-not in a secure position financially until finished specialisation (most likely in 30s).
-and let's not forget how much effort it is to get in to the course in the first place.
-many people are willing to go interstate too; willing to give up your family, friends and life at home at such a young age (of course you can fly back, but it's not the same i wouldn't think)

Btw, this isn't exactly quite true.

- No life? Where did you get that from? :\
- Workload is high - but not excessive - it's manageable if you manage your time
- It's not that stressful if you know how to deal with stress well
- You generally get desensitized - alternatively, go into a specialty where you won't have to see such things
- You can get sued in any profession
- Then don't choose a profession where you have to work with sick people
- Jobs are still pretty secure and far better than most other professions
- Once you're an resident or registrar you'll be making reasonable money (mid 20s)
- Let's face it - everything is hard - effort is required in everything
- I would prefer to live interstate - being away from home would be awesome!

The money aspect has somewhat taken a hit though, with the massive oversupply of interns due to the high number of med schools (add another to the list - most people will probably have to go rural for their intern years now). So the main benefits are really psychological (pride, satisfy parents, etc. as you mentioned) rather than practical advantages

Umm, no, you'll still be making a lot of money once you reach registrar, much more money when you become a consultant. Still much more money than many other industries, much much more.

[alexa94]

Selection bias (you don't hear anything from the people who want to do a BA etc.)

edit, what, saying most people will have to go rural isn't true at all + the money is still very good.

I won't deny that I only listed the disadvantages, that was to prove the point I was making. I purposely left it open for you guys to list all the reasons why people choose med.

Well my brother is in hos last year of medicine at melbourne uni (last undergrad year) and I have heard that unless you are at the very top of the cohort you will have to settle for a rural place for internship. So how is what I've said not true? And sure, the money at this very point in time for GPs might be good, but you can't deny all the evidence pointing to a massive oversupply of doctors that will naturally impact on income

[Russ]

There is no oversupply of doctors (there's a doctor shortage and a student oversupply), the money for GPs is worse than every other specialty, the majority of graduates will not go rural (more than previous years will but not most).

[Starlight]

$$$

[paulsterio]

Well my brother is in hos last year of medicine at melbourne uni (last undergrad year) and I have heard that unless you are at the very top of the cohort you will have to settle for a rural place for internship. So how is what I've said not true? And sure, the money at this very point in time for GPs might be good, but you can't deny all the evidence pointing to a massive oversupply of doctors that will naturally impact on income

That's not true, internship places aren't that scarce - from what it's only competitive if you're going for the top tier hospitals - others you can get away with just "relatively good" marks.

Either way, you're right - there is an oversupply of doctors, but I don't think that it's enough to seriously impact income. Even then, there are many opportunities for you to make more money - e.g. working in rural areas.

EDIT - Russ beat me

[alexa94]

I want to study medicine for the same reason everyone else does. Chicks, money, power and chicks.

Ha it might sound cool now mate, but I seriously advise you to think hard about what you want to do if you're basing your career solely on that (debtable how true it is anyway)

Btw, this isn't exactly quite true.

- I would prefer to live interstate - being away from home would be awesome!

Why are you doing mbbs at monash then?

[Starlight]

I want to study medicine for the same reason everyone else does. Chicks, money, power and chicks.

Ha it might sound cool now mate, but I seriously advise you to think hard about what you want to do if you're basing your career solely on that (debtable how true it is anyway)

Btw, this isn't exactly quite true.

- I would prefer to live interstate - being away from home would be awesome!

Why are you doing mbbs at monash then?

I want to study medicine for the same reason everyone else does. Chicks, money, power and chicks.

scrubs?

[alexa94]

Btw, this isn't exactly quite true.

- No life? Where did you get that from? :\
- Workload is high - but not excessive - it's manageable if you manage your time
- It's not that stressful if you know how to deal with stress well
- You generally get desensitized - alternatively, go into a specialty where you won't have to see such things
- You can get sued in any profession
- Then don't choose a profession where you have to work with sick people
- Jobs are still pretty secure and far better than most other professions
- Once you're an resident or registrar you'll be making reasonable money (mid 20s)
- Let's face it - everything is hard - effort is required in everything
- I would prefer to live interstate - being away from home would be awesome!

- Friends in 3rd, 4th year med etc. told me they constantly have to cancel on commitments, birthdays, etc. to the point where friends outside of med just began to stop inviting them to things. That's just an example. Maybe if you're super commited you could maintain a decent social life, but then you would probably have no time to just unwind by yourself.
- Well, simply how you view it i guess; way more contact hours than other courses
- It's not that stressful? I've heard otherwise, but I guess I'm not doing the course so I'm not in a position to comment
- Doesn't matter what specialty you do, during intern years you'll be exposed to some pretty horrific things
- Yes anyone can get sued, but you are much more liable when you are directly dealing with people's lives

[alexa94]

Also let's not kid ourselves, until you are specialised as a GP, etc. money earned is less than satisfactory

[Surgeon]

Yes, what I said is from scrubs. I don't actually want to study medicine for chicks, money, power and chicks.

On the note of being sued, doctors have insurance for a reason. You're not going to wind up homeless after being sued as long as you have insurance.

OP, I don't see why you're arguing with current medical students about what studying medicine and working as a doctor entails. You posted a thread asking questions and they answers them. Don't start arguing. That's what the "Rants and Debates" section is for.