“So You Want to Become a Doctor?”: Facing Med School's Reality

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After a week of my internship at a local hospital in Beijing, that’s the question I’ve been asked by virtually everyone I’ve met here, always accompanied by a wry, weary smile. I am considering pursuing studies in medicine, but as with any major life decision, it requires a lot of research to really understand what you’re getting into.The first thing that I found is that there’s a clear distinction in the way Chinese and Western hospitals operate. Because there’s such a large population to cater to, doctors working in Chinese hospitals are rarely at leisure – patients come in one following another, for the entirety of a doctor’s shift. As a result, they often appear tired, annoyed, and cranky during appointments.And this weariness seems to be the whole attitude of Chinese doctors towards their profession. Through conversations with several doctors and nurses, I’ve found that what keeps them going is hardly the passion for their work. Sadly, for many, long hours, low salaries, intense psychological pressure, and patient-doctor tensions eventually bring home the realization that this is not what they want to do in life.Now, you might say, doctors working in western hospitals must have a different story to tell. The truth is, no matter the country, all doctors share similar experiences – of challenges, hardships, and mental and physical struggles.I’m no expert in the medical field, but through extensive web searches, and my experiences interning at a hospital, here are some important points to consider before you make the decision to pursue studies in medicine.

It’s a Long, Long Journey… 

In the US, after you complete 4 years of your bachelor’s degree, you enroll in a medical school – for another 4 more years. This gets you either an MD or a DO degree, but there’s still 3-8 years of internships and residency. Of course, different laws apply in different countries, but high educational standards exist across all countries, and, don’t forget, doctors are known to be “learners for life”. So, if you’re not that excited by a lifetime of knowledge and education, being a doctor may not be the best fit for you.

Got Money to Burn?

Doctors are generally financially well-off, but medical students certainly aren’t. Financing your medical education for several years without any income often leaves students in huge debt, because medical school, despite the occasional success stories, is the domain of the upper-middle class and the wealthy. According to a study by the Association of American Doctors (AAMC), most medical students’ parents have high levels of education, a graduate’s degree for instance.“The lack of economic diversity is embarrassing”, says Poorna Sreekumar, who was a student at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. For there to be a future of less economic disparity in the medical field, it’ll take more than words and cognizance.

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Keep Calm, Carry On

Whether it’s learning or practicing, medicine is intense. A hospital isn’t the most carefree place to be: think pus-filled bumps and boils, gaping grisly wounds, critically ill and heavily wounded patients on the brink of death, the tired faces of family members who’ve stayed up all night, moans and groans echoing in corridors. Every patient is a bundle of complicated emotions, and medical professionals have to maintain a strong psychological mindset under such pressure.In the end, every doctor has reasons for their dedication. Some wish to rescue the sick and dying, practice humanitarianism, some want to actualize their parents’ dreams and expectations, and some would simply like to become wealthy in the meantime. Chasing the dream of becoming a doctor is bound to be an arduous journey, but don’t let it discourage you – persistence pays off.

At the Battlefront

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed hospitals across the world at a focal point of attention. At the local hospital I interned at, they hadn’t received a single case of a test-positive patient since the start of the outbreak. Yet still, the anxiousness and stigma surrounding the coronavirus remained heightened. Even in uncertain, potentially life-threatening situations, medical professionals are obliged to admit, treat, and care for patients, putting them at the frontlines of battling contagious diseases and outbreaks like the Coronavirus.

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Photos: Unsplash 

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