If you were applying to university again, would you choose medicine?

For those of you who are already doctors or medical students: would you do it again if you could wind back the clock? Or perhaps you'd go down a different route?

Reply 1

Bow Tie

14

I quite enjoy medicine so I'd say I'd do it again if I had to wind back the clock.

...but I wouldn't be happy about taking the exams all again!

Reply 2

nexttime

22

Despite all the problems the NHS is facing and the huge hit doctor's income have taken, its still a very varied very versatile job. As a result i will probably choose to work in a less intense area, am more likely to work part time and am more likely to take time out/leave the country entirely, but would i do it again? Probably.

Reply 3

Bow Tie

14

Original post by nexttime

Despite all the problems the NHS is facing and the huge hit doctor's income have taken, its still a very varied very versatile job. As a result i will probably choose to work in a less intense area, am more likely to work part time and am more likely to take time out/leave the country entirely, but would i do it again? Probably.

Ah yes, if the question was more specific, I'd say I don't like the idea of practising in this country. I'd like to explore options overseas.

So yes to doing it again if I was given the option again but maybe not in this country. A fair bit has changed in the workforce and NHS since I applied to enter medicine.

Reply 4

epistasis

11

Original post by nexttime

Despite all the problems the NHS is facing and the huge hit doctor's income have taken, its still a very varied very versatile job. As a result i will probably choose to work in a less intense area, am more likely to work part time and am more likely to take time out/leave the country entirely, but would i do it again? Probably.

Original post by Bow Tie

Ah yes, if the question was more specific, I'd say I don't like the idea of practising in this country. I'd like to explore options overseas.

So yes to doing it again if I was given the option again but maybe not in this country. A fair bit has changed in the workforce and NHS since I applied to enter medicine.

Where would you choose to go? And reckon it will change by 2022 ish?

Reply 5

nexttime

22

Original post by epistasis

Where would you choose to go? And reckon it will change by 2022 ish?

You mean if i leave the UK? Probably the Caribbean because i have connections there.

Reply 6

nexttime

22

Oh yes forgot to add: if they bring in this 5 year mandatory servitude thing i would not touch it with a barge pole though. Not in a million years.

Reply 7

Democracy

20

Yes I would, I still think that being a doctor is more interesting and fulfilling than most other jobs out there (for me personally).

Obviously there are lots of things about medical training which I wish were different though. It's not a perfect system or a perfect job by any means.

Reply 8

Sacred Ground

19

Original post by nexttime

Oh yes forgot to add: if they bring in this 5 year mandatory servitude thing i would not touch it with a barge pole though. Not in a million years.

I second this. I'm absolutely passionate about medicine and would 100% choose the degree again however, I do intend to practice medicine abroad

Reply 9

epistasis

11

Original post by Sacred Ground

I second this. I'm absolutely passionate about medicine and would 100% choose the degree again however, I do intend to practice medicine abroad

Where?

Reply 10

Bow Tie

14

Original post by epistasis

Where would you choose to go? And reckon it will change by 2022 ish?

I'm not sure but I want to have a look about and maybe do an elective in Australia. I think a lot will change in the NHS by 2022 considering how much has changed in the last 2 years...