2 answers
KeAndria
Student
Farmington, New Mexico
1
Question
Asked
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Questions for a pediatrician:
As someone who is starting high school I want to become a pediatrician so I have a few questions for any pediatricians or healthcare people.
1. As someone who is interested in this profession, what medical schools or colleges do you recommend that are affordable?
2. How do you overcome stress in difficult situations?
3. How do you deal with communication issues where your patient cant't explain their symptoms well?
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2 answers
Lora Bartlett
Administration
15
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Lora’s Answer
KeAndria,
Hi. Let me start with wow, that's awesome to already have a career path in high school! Now to your queries... state schools are almost invariably less expensive than private schools. BUT, most private schools have endowments by which they allocate scholarships and financial aid. Choosing a college will be a big step, but for pre-med courses, you can attain those almost everywhere. As for overcoming stress: exercise, mindfulness, and a solid group of friends are your go-to. Even just 30 minutes outside of a classroom or a study area can rejuvenate the mind! Getting through medical school isn't easy, but it also doesn't have to be drudgery. Finding excitement in learning something new can also be a refreshing thing for the mind! Now, for communication: the biggest thing will be the patient's history, of course, but you will learn that children tend to be the guinea pigs for every new illness in the area. Diagnoses will be reliant on current events and their symptoms. For those cases that prove more difficult, you will learn what tests to order and how to do differential and confirmatory testing to rule out, or to rule "in," a diagnosis.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
Hi. Let me start with wow, that's awesome to already have a career path in high school! Now to your queries... state schools are almost invariably less expensive than private schools. BUT, most private schools have endowments by which they allocate scholarships and financial aid. Choosing a college will be a big step, but for pre-med courses, you can attain those almost everywhere. As for overcoming stress: exercise, mindfulness, and a solid group of friends are your go-to. Even just 30 minutes outside of a classroom or a study area can rejuvenate the mind! Getting through medical school isn't easy, but it also doesn't have to be drudgery. Finding excitement in learning something new can also be a refreshing thing for the mind! Now, for communication: the biggest thing will be the patient's history, of course, but you will learn that children tend to be the guinea pigs for every new illness in the area. Diagnoses will be reliant on current events and their symptoms. For those cases that prove more difficult, you will learn what tests to order and how to do differential and confirmatory testing to rule out, or to rule "in," a diagnosis.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
Rita Chuang
Physician
189
Answers
Henderson, Nevada
Updated
Rita’s Answer
If you want affordability, I would suggest going to a state school. In medical school, you are lucky to get in so you go where you are accepted. I do not recommend going to a foreign medical school. My cousin's cousin went there and could not get into residency so now he's a non practicing doctor. I know another person who had the same issue.
If you think college is difficult, wait until you get into medical school. It's hard and depressing. When you are use to being at the top of your class, you are quickly humbled to just pass any test. You are thrown into school and just learn how to survive. There's not a lot of time to stress. You either drop out or you try to survive. If you are good at memorizing, school will be easier. I found it overwhelming and depressing. Even after I graduated medical school, I had dreams about school.
I recommend everyone interested in medicine work as a medical scribe. It gives you experience, allows you to interact with physicians and it makes medical school a little easier.
I also wanted to be a pediatrician when I was in college. When I was in medical school, I changed to family practice. Why? Because I was afraid of lawsuits and if I made a mistake on a kid, it would look bad. One doctor mentor who was a pediatrician said that it's not the kids that are the problem but it's the parents. Pediatricians are one of the lowest paid doctors. One of my patients who was a pediatrician loved it though. You go into medicine not for the pay but for the passion. Do something you love regardless of the pay.
In school, they will teach you how to take a history and diagnose. Think about vets. They cannot speak with their patients but they do it. Common problems occur commonly so you go with your gut. You ask the parents. You ask the patient. Good luck!
If you think college is difficult, wait until you get into medical school. It's hard and depressing. When you are use to being at the top of your class, you are quickly humbled to just pass any test. You are thrown into school and just learn how to survive. There's not a lot of time to stress. You either drop out or you try to survive. If you are good at memorizing, school will be easier. I found it overwhelming and depressing. Even after I graduated medical school, I had dreams about school.
I recommend everyone interested in medicine work as a medical scribe. It gives you experience, allows you to interact with physicians and it makes medical school a little easier.
I also wanted to be a pediatrician when I was in college. When I was in medical school, I changed to family practice. Why? Because I was afraid of lawsuits and if I made a mistake on a kid, it would look bad. One doctor mentor who was a pediatrician said that it's not the kids that are the problem but it's the parents. Pediatricians are one of the lowest paid doctors. One of my patients who was a pediatrician loved it though. You go into medicine not for the pay but for the passion. Do something you love regardless of the pay.
In school, they will teach you how to take a history and diagnose. Think about vets. They cannot speak with their patients but they do it. Common problems occur commonly so you go with your gut. You ask the parents. You ask the patient. Good luck!
Thank you for the advice, Rita.
KeAndria