Medicine with a Family - Questions from a potential medical student

[DCJenn]

As soon as he realizes that beyond the choice of applying to medical school, all other life choices will be impacted partially or completely by other people over whom he has no control, the better off he will be.

You don't get to pick a residency program, you don't get to pick your attendings, heck- in the military you don't even always get to pick your residency.

Sounds like a PA or APN position 'may' be a better fit but even then he's going to be busting his ass- just for for as long.

J.

[Pollyanna]

Ok--THAT'S what I meant to say! MissCrabette captured it very well. It sounds like he wants to be a mediocre doctor so that he can have the exact kind of family life he wants. This is not a guy I'd want to take my kids to see as their physician. The guy who did as little as possible in terms of commitment.

AKA: Slacker

I don't think he sounds like a slacker at all. In fact, I think it sounds like he's being realistic about the fact that juggling both his family and medicine would require some sacrifices on both fronts. He recognizes that being there for his family would mean that he wouldn't have unlimited study time, and I'm sure that he also realizes med school would take time away from his family. I see nothing at all wrong with that, and I think it's good that he is voicing his concerns now instead of pushing ahead with med school only to find himself bitter and unhappy somewhere down the road. (We've all seen/met *those* docs.)

As far as the "minimum" commitment churning out a mediocre doc, (A) I'm not sure that this guy is saying he wants to put in the bare minimum and (B) I'd like to think that someone who successfully completes med school and residency and who passes the applicable exams comes out on the other end knowing his/her stuff. If that person was able to reach attendinghood and still make it home for dinner some nights of the week, well, good for them.

That said, I still maintain that this guy needs to look into options other than med school. It doesn't sound like he would be very happy with his choice if he pursues a career as a physician.