4 answers
Angelina
Student
Loveland, Colorado
1
Question
Asked
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How difficult is it to stay motivated in the medical field?
I'm an avid female wanting to pursue medicine because of my strong passion for it #doctor #medicine
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4 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1591
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Angelina because medicine requires such a serious commitment, few people stumble across the idea of pursuing it late in life. It’s very likely that you have always wanted to be a doctor, and that’s not a fact that you should hide. What is your passion in medicine? What was it that sparked your initial desire to pursue this career instead of another? What is the impact you are called to make as a doctor? Doctors are healthcare workers who treat and assist patients with a variety of problems. The skills of a doctor are reflected through the amount of time doctors spend in school learning about the human body. However, there are other skills important to doctors that allow them to excel in their specialty.
WHAT ARE THE SKILLS NEEDED TO BE A DOCTOR
SCIENTIFIC & MEDICAL SKILLS
Being well-educated in science, diagnosis and treatment is part of the necessary skills required to be a doctor. During medical school and the doctor’s undergraduate career, you will focus on the human sciences, such as biology, human anatomy and biochemistry, all of which are necessary to understand the job requirements of being a doctor. The skills learned in these sciences are the core to understanding diagnosis and treatment. Diagnosing a patient involves understanding the symptoms exhibited and putting them together to understand what is wrong with the patient internally. The doctor may then treat the patient. Treatment involves providing the correct recommendations to a patient, including medicine, referral to another doctor, and surgery. Being able to carry out such intensive processes is one of the most important abilities of a doctor.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Other than the doctor’s scientific specialty, communication may be one of the most important qualities of a doctor. Doctor’s work all day with patients from all walks of life and ages, asking them questions about their health and then explaining their diagnoses and treatment plans in terms the patients can understand. Doctors in the U.S. may need to be able to communicate with patients whose first language is not English, as well as children and the elderly. Being able to empathize, listen, and ask the right questions in this field is part of what makes a good doctor.
PATIENT CARE SKILLS
Doctors help the sick by examining, prescribing prescription drugs and administering treatment to their patients. They also examine patients, interpret tests and counsel patients on rehabilitative, preventative and dietary care. Doctors may work in one of many specialties within the profession. These include pediatrics, gynecology, psychiatry, surgery, anesthesiology, surgery and general medicine. Patients feel that doctors’ personality traits are also important, these include confidence, empathy, being humane, respectfulness and thoroughness. While it’s important that the doctor understands how to treat his or her patient, patients also want a doctor who couples this medical knowledge with the aforementioned traits and skills.
PHYSICIANS OUTLOOK & SALARY
Healthcare jobs in the United States have been growing for decades, and the most recent reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show no signs that healthcare job growth will slow any time soon. In the ten year period ending 2018, approximately 26% of all new jobs will be in the healthcare and social assistance industry, which includes public and private hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, and individual and family services. The sector as a whole is projected to add 4 million new jobs – that’s a 24% growth rate. The average Physician - Generalist salary in the U.S. is $230,900 as of July 27, 2020, but the range typically falls between $201,500 and $260,500. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
Angelina Medical doctors (MDs) are physicians who work in hospitals, clinics, medical centers, or private practices. MDs treat people for illnesses and injuries. They also prescribe medications, order diagnostic tests, diagnose ailments, and record patient information. Doctors of medicine often have a specialization such as general practice, gynecology, dermatology, pediatric medicine, orthopedics, or many others. All surgeons are medical doctors. Medical doctors’ jobs vary by specialty and work environment. While emergency room physicians will work in fast-pace, high-stress environments, many family doctors are able to set their own schedules in a private medical care practice. Helping people in illness and injury can be very rewarding, but the job can be stressful and carry an emotional toll, as well.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree – Most medical school applicants complete a bachelor’s degree program before they apply to medical school. Students can choose a variety of majors for undergraduate study; however, students should be sure that their course load includes a significant amount of science studies. Students are also expected to complete undergraduate work in the social sciences, English, and mathematics.
Step 2: Take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) – After completing your bachelor’s degree, you will have to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). These performance scores are required by almost all medical schools in the nation. Content areas that are tested on the MCAT include biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. The MCAT is a standardized examination that is also designed to assess problem solving, verbal reasoning, and writing skills. Students planning on going to medical school can take the MCAT up to three times in a year.
Step 3: Complete Medical School – Medical school takes four years to complete. In the first two years, students take foundational coursework in the practice of medicine, bodily systems and diseases. During the last two years of medical school, students rotate through various hospital specialty departments and gain experience in patient care under faculty supervision. Students must also pass a series of examinations in their final year, which may include the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination.
Step 4: Complete a Residency – Individuals choose residency programs based on their career interests. These programs usually last from three to eight years and cover general medical principles and specific medical specialties. Residents perform a variety of extensive duties, such as conducting physical exams, taking patient histories, attending conferences and interpreting lab information. The National Resident Matching Program uses individual preferences to match residency applicants to programs.
Step 5: Obtain License – Becoming a physician requires licensing in all states prior to being able to practice medicine. Graduation from an accredited medical school is required before qualifying for licensure. Candidates must also complete a residency training program and pass exams. The U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a three-step examination that is required for M.D.s. The Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA) must be taken by D.O.s. For specific state information about licensing, individuals should contact their state's medical board.
WHAT ARE THE SKILLS NEEDED TO BE A DOCTOR
SCIENTIFIC & MEDICAL SKILLS
Being well-educated in science, diagnosis and treatment is part of the necessary skills required to be a doctor. During medical school and the doctor’s undergraduate career, you will focus on the human sciences, such as biology, human anatomy and biochemistry, all of which are necessary to understand the job requirements of being a doctor. The skills learned in these sciences are the core to understanding diagnosis and treatment. Diagnosing a patient involves understanding the symptoms exhibited and putting them together to understand what is wrong with the patient internally. The doctor may then treat the patient. Treatment involves providing the correct recommendations to a patient, including medicine, referral to another doctor, and surgery. Being able to carry out such intensive processes is one of the most important abilities of a doctor.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Other than the doctor’s scientific specialty, communication may be one of the most important qualities of a doctor. Doctor’s work all day with patients from all walks of life and ages, asking them questions about their health and then explaining their diagnoses and treatment plans in terms the patients can understand. Doctors in the U.S. may need to be able to communicate with patients whose first language is not English, as well as children and the elderly. Being able to empathize, listen, and ask the right questions in this field is part of what makes a good doctor.
PATIENT CARE SKILLS
Doctors help the sick by examining, prescribing prescription drugs and administering treatment to their patients. They also examine patients, interpret tests and counsel patients on rehabilitative, preventative and dietary care. Doctors may work in one of many specialties within the profession. These include pediatrics, gynecology, psychiatry, surgery, anesthesiology, surgery and general medicine. Patients feel that doctors’ personality traits are also important, these include confidence, empathy, being humane, respectfulness and thoroughness. While it’s important that the doctor understands how to treat his or her patient, patients also want a doctor who couples this medical knowledge with the aforementioned traits and skills.
PHYSICIANS OUTLOOK & SALARY
Healthcare jobs in the United States have been growing for decades, and the most recent reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show no signs that healthcare job growth will slow any time soon. In the ten year period ending 2018, approximately 26% of all new jobs will be in the healthcare and social assistance industry, which includes public and private hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, and individual and family services. The sector as a whole is projected to add 4 million new jobs – that’s a 24% growth rate. The average Physician - Generalist salary in the U.S. is $230,900 as of July 27, 2020, but the range typically falls between $201,500 and $260,500. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
Angelina Medical doctors (MDs) are physicians who work in hospitals, clinics, medical centers, or private practices. MDs treat people for illnesses and injuries. They also prescribe medications, order diagnostic tests, diagnose ailments, and record patient information. Doctors of medicine often have a specialization such as general practice, gynecology, dermatology, pediatric medicine, orthopedics, or many others. All surgeons are medical doctors. Medical doctors’ jobs vary by specialty and work environment. While emergency room physicians will work in fast-pace, high-stress environments, many family doctors are able to set their own schedules in a private medical care practice. Helping people in illness and injury can be very rewarding, but the job can be stressful and carry an emotional toll, as well.
Doc recommends the following next steps:
Thank your for your continued support Dexter. We should be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing. Action always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom generates action.
Doc Frick
Thank You Brianne. “The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.” — Helen Keller
Doc Frick
Alycia E.
Aspiring Physician Assistant, current hospital intern and volunteer
30
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Alycia’s Answer
Hey Angelina!
This question is very subjective due to the fact that there are so many medical professionals around the world who have come from their own unique backgrounds. To put it simply, motivation depends on one's predisposition and the hardships they are facing at that point in time. Since you want to pursue medicine in the near future, I highly suggest taking a personality quiz (ie Myers-Briggs type indicator). These tests will help you define who you are, including how you may perform in high-risk situations. Knowing more about yourself will you find solutions to what most pre-med and medical students face: useful study skills, coping mechanisms for stress, dealing with burnout and imposter syndrome. I am personally a Type A person, meaning I am more prone to stress than the normal person; to cope with this, I practice yoga as much as I can and listen to calming lofi hiphop music whenever I study.
I also know that the only reason I have time to worry about my mental health is because I am privileged enough to do so. My parents have been my financial support since high school, and I have an older sister who helped me throughout my entire undergraduate and now graduate school application process. I am an aspiring Physician Assistant, and I know other PA applicants who have had a significantly harder time than I have, whether it be financial problems, domestic abuse, etc. These hardships have most definitely effected their motivation and drive to stay in the pre-health track. Fortunately, there are communities out there (Facebook pages, group therapy, CareerVillage) who support non-traditional applicants or just about anyone who is dealing with hardships.
If you ever need a support group when you're every feeling unmotivated, join a pre-med club on campus, or a FB support group for pre-med students. They will guide you on the right track to success and you'll always have a listening ear if you need one.
Good luck!
This question is very subjective due to the fact that there are so many medical professionals around the world who have come from their own unique backgrounds. To put it simply, motivation depends on one's predisposition and the hardships they are facing at that point in time. Since you want to pursue medicine in the near future, I highly suggest taking a personality quiz (ie Myers-Briggs type indicator). These tests will help you define who you are, including how you may perform in high-risk situations. Knowing more about yourself will you find solutions to what most pre-med and medical students face: useful study skills, coping mechanisms for stress, dealing with burnout and imposter syndrome. I am personally a Type A person, meaning I am more prone to stress than the normal person; to cope with this, I practice yoga as much as I can and listen to calming lofi hiphop music whenever I study.
I also know that the only reason I have time to worry about my mental health is because I am privileged enough to do so. My parents have been my financial support since high school, and I have an older sister who helped me throughout my entire undergraduate and now graduate school application process. I am an aspiring Physician Assistant, and I know other PA applicants who have had a significantly harder time than I have, whether it be financial problems, domestic abuse, etc. These hardships have most definitely effected their motivation and drive to stay in the pre-health track. Fortunately, there are communities out there (Facebook pages, group therapy, CareerVillage) who support non-traditional applicants or just about anyone who is dealing with hardships.
If you ever need a support group when you're every feeling unmotivated, join a pre-med club on campus, or a FB support group for pre-med students. They will guide you on the right track to success and you'll always have a listening ear if you need one.
Good luck!
Estelle Archer
Gynecologist
1321
Answers
United States
Updated
Estelle’s Answer
You already have the passion for medicine, so just try not to get frustrated on the amount of time required to fulfill your goals. Know that the path can be very manageable when you look at each step. I always called it my "4 year plan." I knew 4 years of college would be followed by 4 years of medical school then 4 years of ob/gyn training. I looked forward to committing myself to each step knowing that the better I did, the easier it would be. See the finish line, but really focus on each step, and you will do well. Good luck!
Richard A.
physician
2150
Answers
Updated
Richard’s Answer
There are plenty of reasons and plenty of opportunities to give up on the path to any career. But don’t give up. I take inspiration from the story of the failed Antarctic exploration by polar explorer Ernest Shackleton and his crew as told in the book “Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage.” Understanding their ability to overcome the incredible hardships and survive teaches me that humans can accomplish anything