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Is being a doctor worth it?
I want to become a medical doctor, but it appears that they lead stressful lives and although they make bank, most of their earnings get tied up in the purchase of various insurance policies to cover potential mistakes made during practice.
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5 answers
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Rahul’s Answer
The idea that Doctors are forced to spent a major share of their earnings fighting litigation throughout the course of their careers seems overreaching and blatantly false. Remember that complaints are bound to arise if guidelines are not followed. A greivance might be registered under consequences that were beyond your control and as a healthcare professional you have a responsibility towards yourself and your teachers to fight for your dignity. I was removed from my position and was forced to leave Bahrain after the Hospital terminated my services without providing a reason. I had flagged concerns specifically related to the provision of services under my speciality and was in the midst of prescribing pain medication to an advanced cancer patient who was shouting for help when I realized that my employee privileges had been taken away from me (without any warning - for providing constructive feedback). Became unemployed overnight. Have been stonewalled by the authorities but am aware that legitimate avenues for filing an appeal/ complaint exist and am trying to take this unprecented series of events to its logical conclusion (without affecting my attitude towards work).
Updated
Christina’s Answer
Is being a doctor worth it? It is an important question to ask yourself if you, too, are thinking about becoming a medical doctor.
And, hear me out, because this answer will start off sounding a bit negative, but that's only a piece of the story. Being a physician can, indeed, be stressful, but often for reasons that are different than you would guess. Taking care of seriously ill people, sometimes seeing patients die or be in unfair or abusive circumstances can really take an emotional toll, BUT in my opinion, that is not what makes Medicine so hard. I am an Emergency Physician and, honestly, the hardest part is dealing with and working in the INDUSTRY of medicine. Hospitals are always focused on making enough money to stay open, because providing healthcare is an expensive thing. Pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies dictate a lot of what care is allowed by putting restrictions on what is or is not paid for, and moment to moment this sometimes feels like someone is preventing you from doing your best. There is a pressure to see more patients faster, which does no good for the patients, nor the doctors and nurses who are putting their heart into caring for people.
HOWEVER, it is hard to explain what an incredible privilege it is to get to care for another human, to help them get better or to understand their own body and health. Patients will often tell us personal things that they don't share with anyone else, sometimes out of embarrassment or shame, but they try to trust us with their secrets and vulnerabilities. We get to see humans at some of the most important moments in their lives: birth, death, recovery. Sometimes we cry or celebrate with our patients. I can say with 100% certainty that I have saved lives, with the help of my colleagues and team. The teamwork is powerful and important and making that kind of difference is incredibly special and gratifying.
And, although physicians are, in general, paid very well, it is not true that all physicians make bank. It is VERY variable, depending on what field you choose and how much you work and where you work. As for risk of costly litigation, it is a risk, but it does not consume us, thankfully, and malpractice insurance is often covered by the hospital that employs the physician, so it does not come directly out of a paycheck.
So, it depends on what you mean when you ask if it is worth it.
If you are focused on just making money, then being a physician is not a great idea. I think physicians need to have a high sense of priority to patients to be a good doctor, and priority to money is usually in conflict with that. If you are focused on not getting sued, then it will taint your ability to focus on your patients. Being accountable and having integrity and honesty when caring for patients is critically important. If you are hoping to have a professional career where you truly get to make a difference in people's lives, where you will likely be financially secure, knowing that you will indeed work hard in a challenging environment, then going to medical school might be for you.
1. Ask yourself what your primary goals are and your primary fears or hesitations.
2. Consider getting some experience caring for others, such as becoming an Emergency Medical Technician, lifeguard, nursing assistant.
3. Consider volunteering in a healthcare environment to see if the career truly interests you.
4. Do your best in all your classes, and take the hardest classes *that you will be successful* in.
5. Keep asking good questions. Get good information, and practice making hard decisions.
And, hear me out, because this answer will start off sounding a bit negative, but that's only a piece of the story. Being a physician can, indeed, be stressful, but often for reasons that are different than you would guess. Taking care of seriously ill people, sometimes seeing patients die or be in unfair or abusive circumstances can really take an emotional toll, BUT in my opinion, that is not what makes Medicine so hard. I am an Emergency Physician and, honestly, the hardest part is dealing with and working in the INDUSTRY of medicine. Hospitals are always focused on making enough money to stay open, because providing healthcare is an expensive thing. Pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies dictate a lot of what care is allowed by putting restrictions on what is or is not paid for, and moment to moment this sometimes feels like someone is preventing you from doing your best. There is a pressure to see more patients faster, which does no good for the patients, nor the doctors and nurses who are putting their heart into caring for people.
HOWEVER, it is hard to explain what an incredible privilege it is to get to care for another human, to help them get better or to understand their own body and health. Patients will often tell us personal things that they don't share with anyone else, sometimes out of embarrassment or shame, but they try to trust us with their secrets and vulnerabilities. We get to see humans at some of the most important moments in their lives: birth, death, recovery. Sometimes we cry or celebrate with our patients. I can say with 100% certainty that I have saved lives, with the help of my colleagues and team. The teamwork is powerful and important and making that kind of difference is incredibly special and gratifying.
And, although physicians are, in general, paid very well, it is not true that all physicians make bank. It is VERY variable, depending on what field you choose and how much you work and where you work. As for risk of costly litigation, it is a risk, but it does not consume us, thankfully, and malpractice insurance is often covered by the hospital that employs the physician, so it does not come directly out of a paycheck.
So, it depends on what you mean when you ask if it is worth it.
If you are focused on just making money, then being a physician is not a great idea. I think physicians need to have a high sense of priority to patients to be a good doctor, and priority to money is usually in conflict with that. If you are focused on not getting sued, then it will taint your ability to focus on your patients. Being accountable and having integrity and honesty when caring for patients is critically important. If you are hoping to have a professional career where you truly get to make a difference in people's lives, where you will likely be financially secure, knowing that you will indeed work hard in a challenging environment, then going to medical school might be for you.
Christina recommends the following next steps:
Updated
quintavius’s Answer
Good question.
honestly everyone in some point of life always wanted to become a doctor. YES its worth it. however you decide to handle it is your choice. Most people who are in the medical field actually live great lives.You just have to learn to adapt and not take on so much at one time. For example, spending 8 years in school and become overwhelmed just to quit.Never give up always look to the future. I think you are on the great path. good luck.
honestly everyone in some point of life always wanted to become a doctor. YES its worth it. however you decide to handle it is your choice. Most people who are in the medical field actually live great lives.You just have to learn to adapt and not take on so much at one time. For example, spending 8 years in school and become overwhelmed just to quit.Never give up always look to the future. I think you are on the great path. good luck.
Thank you, quintavius for the advice.
Abduljalal
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Abduljalal!
Most allied professions get insurances to cover their job risks due to the reason that bonds are entered for the purpose of professional indemnity as individual acquires a practice license. The truth is that errors due to negligence are what cost practitioners. Medical practitioners sometimes enter bonds with patients and stakeholders before proceeding with medical procedures that chances of survival are low to reduce possible legal and financial risks.
Their are some level of failures that are unintentional in every field. That is why probability of failures (reliability studies) make consideration for standard errors, confidence intervals and other methods used statistic tests and inference.
Failures may be due to drugs, human error or other factors.
Many professions have their stress factors too. Machines, construction and other innovations fail too.
The medical field is about saving lives and that should be the motivator.
Most allied professions get insurances to cover their job risks due to the reason that bonds are entered for the purpose of professional indemnity as individual acquires a practice license. The truth is that errors due to negligence are what cost practitioners. Medical practitioners sometimes enter bonds with patients and stakeholders before proceeding with medical procedures that chances of survival are low to reduce possible legal and financial risks.
Their are some level of failures that are unintentional in every field. That is why probability of failures (reliability studies) make consideration for standard errors, confidence intervals and other methods used statistic tests and inference.
Failures may be due to drugs, human error or other factors.
Many professions have their stress factors too. Machines, construction and other innovations fail too.
The medical field is about saving lives and that should be the motivator.
Updated
Marcelius Levites’s Answer
Well, I'm glad you went and the details lookup about being a doctor. If you have to question it, then that means you need to rethink what you are passionate about and what you see yourself doing and waking up doing it. Now if you just don't care about the job, just for the financial stability then I would say yes. Honestly, we have enough Doctors and Nurses in this world. We need more leaders, warriors, fighters and to focus on our true existence.
Many, Blessings
Thank smarter, not Harder.
What Are You Passionate about
Get a List and states the Pros and Cons
Decide are you in this career for the money or anything else
Praying helps
Also Meditations
Many, Blessings
Thank smarter, not Harder.
Marcelius Levites recommends the following next steps:
Thank you, Marcelius Levites!
Abduljalal