2 answers
Dylhan
Student
Yuma, Arizona
1
Question
Updated
131 views
How can I be a doctor? And how can I be a good doctor and how can I be successful as a doctor
I am gonna be a doctor in the future and I will not give up to be a doctor
Login to comment
2 answers
Brett Schlifstein
Anesthesiologist
12
Answers
Pittsboro, North Carolina
Updated
Brett’s Answer
Hi Dylhan,
I've been a medical doctor (physician) for 34 years. It is not an easy path to become a physician (college, MCAT, medical school, etc.). After that there are years of post-graduate training (internship/residency/fellowship) which are many hours of work/training/studying at very low pay (my hourly pay came out to about minimum wage). Then you are ready to go out into practice, which will most likely involve a lot of hours, as well as some degree of stress. All that being said, choosing to be a physician was a great choice for me. Every day I go to work, I know that my purpose is to help people at what can be a very difficult time in their lives - and this gives me a great deal of self satisfaction.
My advice to to you is to do well in school, live a balanced life, and volunteer at your local hospital. In addition to providing a community service (which you can put on your resume), you will be exposed to the field of medicine. This will give you the opportunity to see physicians, nurses, and technicians of all kinds doing their job.
The career advice that I gave to my children (all now adults) - pick something that you like doing, because you will be doing a lot of it. Choosing to be a physician for the right reasons is incredibly rewarding. Choosing to be a physician for the wrong reasons could lead to very unhappy career - I have seen this, and it is sad to see someone go through all those years of school and training, only to enter an unfulfilling career, and are now afraid to change due to all of the time and money invested.
How do you pick something you like to do? My best advice is to go watch someone do it, and ask them questions. Sometimes this isn't easy, but since you want to be a physician, and almost every hospital has a volunteer program, that is where I suggest you go.
Hope that helps, and good luck!
Brett Schlifstein, M.D.
Anesthesia Director
ECU Health - Roanoke-Chowan Hospital
I've been a medical doctor (physician) for 34 years. It is not an easy path to become a physician (college, MCAT, medical school, etc.). After that there are years of post-graduate training (internship/residency/fellowship) which are many hours of work/training/studying at very low pay (my hourly pay came out to about minimum wage). Then you are ready to go out into practice, which will most likely involve a lot of hours, as well as some degree of stress. All that being said, choosing to be a physician was a great choice for me. Every day I go to work, I know that my purpose is to help people at what can be a very difficult time in their lives - and this gives me a great deal of self satisfaction.
My advice to to you is to do well in school, live a balanced life, and volunteer at your local hospital. In addition to providing a community service (which you can put on your resume), you will be exposed to the field of medicine. This will give you the opportunity to see physicians, nurses, and technicians of all kinds doing their job.
The career advice that I gave to my children (all now adults) - pick something that you like doing, because you will be doing a lot of it. Choosing to be a physician for the right reasons is incredibly rewarding. Choosing to be a physician for the wrong reasons could lead to very unhappy career - I have seen this, and it is sad to see someone go through all those years of school and training, only to enter an unfulfilling career, and are now afraid to change due to all of the time and money invested.
How do you pick something you like to do? My best advice is to go watch someone do it, and ask them questions. Sometimes this isn't easy, but since you want to be a physician, and almost every hospital has a volunteer program, that is where I suggest you go.
Hope that helps, and good luck!
Brett Schlifstein, M.D.
Anesthesia Director
ECU Health - Roanoke-Chowan Hospital
Lisa Martin
Lawyer
6
Answers
Northport, New York
Updated
Lisa’s Answer
It's fantastic that you're aspiring to be a doctor! Securing a spot in medical school can be quite a challenge, so it's crucial to take your academics seriously. Dedicate yourself to rigorous study and enroll in demanding courses.
Moreover, consider volunteering at healthcare clinics or any other venues where you can lend a hand to those in need. It doesn't necessarily have to be medically related. Medical schools appreciate students who demonstrate a genuine commitment to aiding others, not merely because they aspire to be doctors, but because their deeds reflect their deep care and willingness to work hard for the benefit of others.
Another aspect to ponder is training to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). This role will provide you with immediate patient interaction, allowing you to determine if this career path suits you. EMTs, also known as First Responders, play a pivotal role in life-saving scenarios, and you can acquire these skills. Typically, you can become an EMT at 18 and continue this role throughout college as you gear up for medical school. This hands-on medical experience will give you an advantage over your peers!
Last but not least, make sure to prepare for the MCATs! Scoring well on this exam is a prerequisite for admission into a US medical school due to the limited available slots. So, study hard and aim high!
Moreover, consider volunteering at healthcare clinics or any other venues where you can lend a hand to those in need. It doesn't necessarily have to be medically related. Medical schools appreciate students who demonstrate a genuine commitment to aiding others, not merely because they aspire to be doctors, but because their deeds reflect their deep care and willingness to work hard for the benefit of others.
Another aspect to ponder is training to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). This role will provide you with immediate patient interaction, allowing you to determine if this career path suits you. EMTs, also known as First Responders, play a pivotal role in life-saving scenarios, and you can acquire these skills. Typically, you can become an EMT at 18 and continue this role throughout college as you gear up for medical school. This hands-on medical experience will give you an advantage over your peers!
Last but not least, make sure to prepare for the MCATs! Scoring well on this exam is a prerequisite for admission into a US medical school due to the limited available slots. So, study hard and aim high!