What If I’m Not Cut Out to Be a Doctor?
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...From an “Ask the Expert” article in last week’s Medscape (that I’m finally getting to write down before I forget), a reader ponders if they’re really cut out for all of this since the more they learn, the more they seem unable to retain all the facts they previously learned:
My advice is this: First, keep in mind that what you are experiencing is not rare and in no way means that you do not have the ability to be a good doctor, or that you do not have the discipline to continue. Although you feel as though you are having a difficult time remembering facts, keep in mind that you will be exposed to the most important information multiple if not dozens of times. As a pathologist, I am in a field where the depth and breadth of required knowledge can be quite intimidating, but even in our training, this repetition occurs. I guarantee that you will come across and retain what you need. Next, remember that medical school is a finite period of time that serves 2 main purposes: to give you basic information to pass the boards, and to help you choose a specialty. If these things happen, you will have succeeded.
In my own experience, when I felt as if I was losing interest or enthusiasm, I thought back to why I applied to medical school in the first place and why I wanted to be a physician. I reread my medical school application personal statement and talked to family members who had helped foster my career choice. Often, these simple acts put my goals into sharper relief and reminded me of the “big picture.” I also got a boost when I finally chose my specialty. I became reinvested in my remaining rotations, as it seemed that I had more of a focus and direction. Additionally, I was able to tailor my schedule to services that I felt were more applicable, and I found a faculty mentor who gave me advice and served as a sounding board for many of the issues that I have previously discussed.
In the end, don’t lose hope. Remind yourself of why you began the journey. If you haven’t done so yet, narrow down your choice of specialties and optimize your remaining schedule if possible. Faculty mentors can help you with these tasks and provide you with valuable counsel.
Good to remember when at this stage in our learning when we are faced with endless trivia and mindless details as part of the dehumanizing process (literally, in that the facts and data presented in lecture are removed from almost any semblance of the clinical context from which it came) of basic science curriculum in med school (at least for the traditional schools, and our curriculum is still stuck in the 70s, so there ya go…)
Medical School | enrico | 
November 17, 2006 3:43 pm
By The Angry Medic, November 17, 2006 @ 6:48 pm
Spot on, MMS. I liked that article myself. Especially important to us med students who suffer from having unrelated scientific drivel shovelled down our throats in lecture theatres while we wonder why the heck medical school isn’t like it is on TV (yes, you can tell I’m also stuck in a traditional university). They must think dehumanising makes better doctors. I can’t tell why.
I’m adding you to my blogroll. Hope you don’t mind the heading I’m giving you
By francesca, March 19, 2008 @ 12:50 pm
why dont you guys put up some info on medical students and what they learn for kids