Should I Quit Medicine and Start over?

[Deactivated] on 25/04/2016 - 17:31

I'm a 22 year old female currently undertaking a MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery) at a Sydney university.

I have almost finished my degree being in my 4th year (out of 5) but I have not enjoyed it as much as I thought.

I enjoyed learning the theory but now I have done most of the clinical rotations I can not picture my self being happy in any of them.

I always wanted to do a job where I could help people, that's why I choose Med, not for the money or prestige.

Should I start over and look for another career or should I just finish Med and see where it takes me?

Interestingly most of my peers also feel the same way, has anyone been in the same position as me?

Thanks for your help.

Poll Options

  • 106
    Finish Your Degree and stick with Med
  • 33
    Finish but then look for another area
  • 2
    Drop out and try something new
  • 6
    Take a break for a year
Education & Work

Comments

  • gevidian on 25/04/2016 - 17:43
    +10

    Last year, you were 23 and had a marketing degree. Now you are 22 and in 4th year medicine. The curious case of Benjamin Button?

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/205254

    • [Deactivated] on 25/04/2016 - 17:50
      +9

      My husband was 23 last year and has a Marketing degree. I'm using his account, If you read that full post it will make sense :)

  • cureforanitch on 25/04/2016 - 18:24
    +6

    The most important thing is to finish. Make sure all the time, money and hard work gives you something tangible at the end. You can still do alot with a science degree even if you dont say in medicine

  • Etherealfall on 25/04/2016 - 18:28
    +1

    You mentioned not being happy in any clinical situation - why is that? Have you noticed that much of medicine cannot 'cure' diseases? Or is it that you are starting to see that in some cases - people are not holding their own health responsible?

    Or perhaps, it may be the extent of study you still have to go (after you finish MBBS - you may want to pursue even further study)?

    Given that you are almost complete in your degree - I would be leaning towards finishing so you at least have that on your resume.

    But then again - totally up to you as your financial situation may have completely changed.

    But to really answer your question you need to clarify what it is you don't find enjoyment in medicine anymore.

    I've seen many colleagues in dentistry leave the field for something else. For many reasons.

  • oscargamer on 25/04/2016 - 19:23
    +17

    finish your degree - that gives you options

    stopping so near the end is a waste of the 4 years so far

    you might be going through a low at the moment

    regardless - if you get the MBBS, it shows (at the absolute minimum) that you can study to completion

    after you get it, have a think and see what pops up

    • robbyjones on 25/04/2016 - 19:32
      +1

      ^^^^^This

      • ozbjunkie on 28/04/2016 - 21:29

        Exactly this. Finish what you started. It is enough reason.

        Your wish to quit now might subside, or it might stay when youre done.

        Give yourself the chance to make that decision.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/04/2016 - 21:05

    Do a YWAM APHEDA or MSF outreach service in your holidays. You might nee to check when you're allowed to - as in if you need to finish first. But seeing how valuable your skills are to people who don't take them granted - might change your mind - or at least give you a reason to keep going?

  • altomic on 25/04/2016 - 21:27
    +3

    1) finish your medical degree.
    2) do a law degree.
    3) get into medical negligence.
    4) make a f*&king killing.

    • eatwell365 on 25/04/2016 - 23:57

      True. Or get a job in public health are me hence hospital admin or policy.

      GP is good if you want to have kids and work only part time.

      • eatwell365 on 26/04/2016 - 04:43

        are me (to omit)

    • mangoss on 26/04/2016 - 10:15
      +1

      Another option with an MBBS and LLB is to work as a Coroner. Not for everyone, but if you enjoy investigations, helping victims families and helping to bring about justice, it's an interesting field.

      Alternatively, use your MBBS to help develop new medications for pharmaceutical companies, or develop public health policy?

      Maybe take a year off and do some volunteer work abroad with your education in a developing country, e.g. Drs Without Borders?

      Good luck OP :)

  • kiribatian on 25/04/2016 - 21:39
    +9

    Definitely stick it out. You have already put in the hard yards both at high school and now at university.
    I took a year off at the same stage of med school as you. I did 6 months exchange at an European university and then went backpacking for the next 6 months. I came back reinvigorated and had my best semester at uni marks-wise.
    Make sure you do your internship so you get your general registration.
    While definitely in the minority, I know a few people who are not practicing. A few have gone into management consulting (for Bain/McKinsey etc), health tech/apps, full time academics, started up side businesses. I even know someone who is a barista at the moment!
    Also I think medicine is not just the one career, there are so many different possibilities, opportunities and fields to work in.
    Even when I am working ridiculous hours and getting slammed at work, you can still go home and say that you have helped people that day. Additionally while not everything, you should never be too concerned about finances if you are a doctor.
    Happy for you to PM me if you want.

    • Excelsior on 03/05/2016 - 14:58

      Yeah I was just about to suggest the same thing. Maybe a circuit breaker is what you need to get your mind off things and have a fresh perspective when you get back. A partner at my firm did the same thing after he chose to leave his previous firm a couple of years ago. Took a 1.5-2 year break to do volunteer work in Laos just because he wanted to and he came back feeling super refreshed.

  • avidd on 26/04/2016 - 01:29
    +4

    Mysterymeat, I don't normally post but I feel like I have to say something. IMO, crishuders advice is more or less spot on.

    I finished my MBBS 3 years ago and work in Melbourne. I love my job now, but as a 4th year medical student I definitely didn't feel that way.

    Finishing the degree and internship gives you options, many of which you may not realise until you've already made the transition from medical student to doctor. It's a whole different perspective too when you actually have responsibility for your patient's care and your individual bedside approach/management etc directly affect your patient's health care experience.

    You may find a specialty that you like, that you may not have known existed/been engaged with. Many people figure out later on a few years after they finish (and even change their minds a few times before they decide).

    Many doctors work part time in roles like medical education (undergrad or specialty teaching), research, public health, refugee health, overseas pro-bono work etc. or have side businesses/hobbies like property development/cafes/art galleries.

    If you decide you don't want to work as a doctor at all, theres still related options like health policy/advisory, medical law, management consulting (EY, KPMG etc), medical recruitment, IT/healthcare database software/entrepreneurship of other sorts etc.

    I'm sure theres many other options too, but I think finishing the MBBS and getting general registration will give you many more opportunities than you would have had otherwise.

  • eatwell365 on 26/04/2016 - 04:29

    MBBS is better than MBS.

    • eatwell365 on 26/04/2016 - 04:30

      Master of BS like this. What an insult to our nation -, $699 to become leader.

      Do your MBBS and you will lead or
      be laid by the leaders who do MBS.

  • dp1 on 26/04/2016 - 09:08
    +1

    The lowest paid specialties are General Practice and psychiatry. Even in these working 5-6 hours a week pays you more than a full time minimum wage job. 1.5 days a week will take you quite far up Maslow's hierarchy. The rest of the week you are then free to do something you love. What other job allows you to do this?
    Think of all the people stuck in jobs they hate. That will never be you if you have MBBS, literally the world is your oyster. Being a medical student and even into intern and early training years is crap but it's a means to an end i.e. freedom (more than just financial)

    • Hoju on 26/04/2016 - 11:03
      +3

      While I totally advocate freedom and not being immersed in a horrible job, I'm Not sure I would want to see a GP or psychiatrist that is unhappy and only doing it for the freedom it offers them the other days of the week.

      • Kevin07 on 28/05/2016 - 22:38

        haha say that after you have done back to back 15hour shifts for a week - cynicaljuniordoctor

  • shortblack9 on 26/04/2016 - 09:44
    +1

    I'm not sure what MBBS is like now, but I do recall that it had a high attrition rate. They designed the course to be hard on people emotionally, physically and mentally to make sure that those who graduate can last.

    The satisfaction part comes after you've finished. I remember the same being true in Pharmacy… although, being a pharmacist is a dead end job now a days.

  • spurf on 26/04/2016 - 10:06
    +1

    I felt exactly the same way when completing my medical degree. The heavy focus on medical and surgical specialties during training with their tedious ward rounds leave you feeling despondent if that isn't your interest. I'd recomnend doing an elective in some less traditional specialties such as Radiology, Anaesthetics, Intensive Care, Pathology etc. These also are usually more family friendly than the traditional ones which as a female can be particularly appealing.

    Fortunately a medical degree opens up a world of opportunities to you including not being a practicing doctor if you can't find anything that suits. For example, researchers are more able to attract funding if they also hold a medical qualification. There is also medical admin, law or politics if that is your bag too.

  • Fexofenadine on 26/04/2016 - 14:59
    +2

    I don't know what your interests are, but you may like to consider the Teach For Australia programme. I know of a number of medical graduates who have applied for it.

    It involves becoming a teacher but without taking a year out to study education. There is a strong focus on 'giving back' as participants are placed in low-SES schools. It is a highly competitive process though, I think they only take 6% or so of applicants, and may require relocation from Sydney.

    http://teachforaustralia.org/

  • boccos on 26/04/2016 - 20:37
    +1

    Yes, finish your studies and endure the hands-on part. When it is all over you can become whatever it is you wish to be within the confines of a Doctor. I suspect you show admirable qualities as a fine human being so you can turn those qualities into your life's work. Helping others is very rewarding, not without heartache, but then that is what life is. You can be happy in the right role, especially when you have the confidence in your own abilities to make your own path.

  • AussieDolphin on 01/05/2016 - 18:38

    It is almost the end for you. I am doing Teaching and have had my doubts as I have progressed through the course but like you I also finish next year. To change so late is a waste and not to mention the debt you would incur. Bare in mind that you don't necessarily have to work in Australia, the NHS in the UK is amazing. Although, the service is under threat the people I know working there cannot speak more highly of it. Don't let all your hard work turn to nothing.

  • Kelvin on 13/05/2016 - 03:23

    What ever you do, dont give up..
    Being a medical student is far different from being a doctor..

    Clinical rotations during medical school only give you a glimpse of the life of a doctor..
    Keep your eyes open and talk to other doctors.. Find out whether they enjoy they job and whether they would do it again…or some other specialty..

    There are so many branches of medicine, there's bound to at least one.. You will find to suit yourself..
    Plenty of lifestyle specialities around as well… Anaesthetic, radiology, dermatology, pathology, and dont forget radiation oncology….. Clinical genetics… Palliative care, rehab,

    Find some way of combining your outside interests with medicine…

    Lastly… Do not put your life on hold … Because of medicine…

    I think you are in a very lucky position.. You willl hopefully finish your medical degree next year.. And still have plenty of life and opportunities ahead of you..

    Find a positive mentor..there should be plenty of docs around.. Happy to give advice…

    Good luck…
    I hope you find the inspiration to continue and make the most of the opportunities presented..

  • Save Medicare on 11/07/2017 - 01:35

    There's only one university in sydney with a 5 year medical degree.

    What did you end up doing? Will you be getting your match in 7 days time?

  • myusername on 11/07/2017 - 13:50

    as an ex-chef i remember seeing heaps of apprentices dropping out in what we called the 3rd year blues.

    you've come this far worked hard for the past 4 years, you only got 1 to go now.

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