Medicine FAQ / So You Want To Be A Doctor

[Russ]

There are lots of doctors who work in research and clinical practice simultaneously, it's just not a streamlined degree in universities. Regardless, you're still limited to the conventional treatments (or off label usages of other drugs) when you actually see patients. It's also only really a thing you get access to after you get your college registration since you rarely have time to do large scale research before that (and if you do, you're not really driving the research).

You can move into academia shortly after finishing medicine and get a position with a university and do a split of some kind, but that's slightly more complicated.

[hobbitle]

Thanks, Russ.  Wish I could just dump everything you know about the med industry into my own head!

[anna.xo]

So med has never been something I've been really interested in..but I'm wondering if to do medicine you have to have had the dream of a doctor since you were little ? As in, would you have the motivation to do it if it wasn't a lifelong goal ?

Also, currently I'm studying nutrition and my goal is to specialise in paediatric dietetics (3 year undergrad, 1.5 year postgrad). From here, would it be possible to go into paediatrics or not ?

[hobbitle]

but I'm wondering if to do medicine you have to have had the dream of a doctor since you were little ? As in, would you have the motivation to do it if it wasn't a lifelong goal ?

No, its not necessary to have wanted to do it forever. Motivation comes and goes and often your biggest passions when you were younger don't last (or, at least, they stand every chance of not lasting) because people change, priorities change - so unless you're totally not open to growth, chances are the things you love and are interested in are going to change.  I'm 28 and am considering at least applying for medicine after not having thought it my thing for my whole life.

Also, currently I'm studying nutrition and my goal is to specialise in paediatric dietetics (3 year undergrad, 1.5 year postgrad). From here, would it be possible to go into paediatrics or not ?

Once you have an undergrad, going to medical school (and hence becoming a paediatrician) is possible.  If your undergrad is totally unrelated to science them some preliminary study might be required.  Med schools generally like you to have a grounding in anatomy, physiology, and chemistry - also often biology and physics as well, depending.  The amount of "official" training required depends on the med school.  I have no idea what you would cover in a nutrition course so you'll have to take a look at that yourself...

[ChickenCh0wM1en]

No, its not necessary to have wanted to do it forever. Motivation comes and goes and often your biggest passions when you were younger don't last (or, at least, they stand every chance of not lasting) because people change, priorities change - so unless you're totally not open to growth, chances are the things you love and are interested in are going to change.  I'm 28 and am considering at least applying for medicine after not having thought it my thing for my whole life.

What hobbitle said!
Are you looking to do your MEng first or going to MBBS/MD?

[hobbitle]

What hobbitle said!
Are you looking to do your MEng first or going to MBBS/MD?

I have missed the GAMSAT boat for 2016 entry so I will sit GAMSAT UK and AUS 2016 and see how it goes for 2017 or 2018 entry, in the mean time I will be starting the MEng next year. If I can find away to gear the MEng in a direction I want it (which would involve some string pulling in the department) I may not consider Med School at all. But I feel doubtful about even being able to get a place so yeah MEng it is for the time being, and seeing how applications go for med.

[ChickenCh0wM1en]

I have missed the GAMSAT boat for 2016 entry so I will sit GAMSAT UK and AUS 2016 and see how it goes for 2017 or 2018 entry, in the mean time I will be starting the MEng next year. If I can find away to gear the MEng in a direction I want it (which would involve some string pulling in the department) I may not consider Med School at all. But I feel doubtful about even being able to get a place so yeah MEng it is for the time being, and seeing how applications go for med.

Yeh, I guess it's a good thing in one aspect cause you have a good "backup" or some sorts (Engineering).
And if you're open to going interstate or Deakin you shouldn't have any issues with getting in  

[hobbitle]

Interstate yes but I would perhaps be a little fussy about unis. But I need to research this more - one step at a time.

[Reus]

Is the GAMSAT done here only applicable for AUS? Thus do you have to sit another paper for UK applications?

[hobbitle]

You can use either GAMSAT to apply for all courses in Aus UK and Ireland.

[Reus]

You can use either GAMSAT to apply for all courses in Aus UK and Ireland.

Ah great so you only sit the GAMSAT once for that given year? Woo 

[hobbitle]

You can sit it twice if you want to try for a better score.  Well, you can sit it as many times as you like really. 
But due to when the UK GAMSAT falls in the year, you cannot sit the UK GAMSAT in 2015 for 2016 entry.

[Shenz0r]

GAMSAT UK is held in mid September. By then, they've already offered interviews. So it only becomes valid in the next application cycle.

[anna.xo]

No, its not necessary to have wanted to do it forever. Motivation comes and goes and often your biggest passions when you were younger don't last (or, at least, they stand every chance of not lasting) because people change, priorities change - so unless you're totally not open to growth, chances are the things you love and are interested in are going to change.  I'm 28 and am considering at least applying for medicine after not having thought it my thing for my whole life.

Once you have an undergrad, going to medical school (and hence becoming a paediatrician) is possible.  If your undergrad is totally unrelated to science them some preliminary study might be required.  Med schools generally like you to have a grounding in anatomy, physiology, and chemistry - also often biology and physics as well, depending.  The amount of "official" training required depends on the med school.  I have no idea what you would cover in a nutrition course so you'll have to take a look at that yourself...

Thankyou !

My undergrad is science based (under faculty of medicine actually) hence basic sciences - biology, chemistry, biochemistry and physiology are our main aspects of focus.

Does med school refer to MBBS ?

What hobbitle said!
Are you looking to do your MEng first or going to MBBS/MD?

Thankyou !

[scarletmoon]

Does not having a leadership position at school affect your chances of getting into med school? I know it sounds like a dumb question but I'm really worried