Would-be mature student, wondering about pathology or psychiatry training

Hi all, I'd be 40 when I start a medical degree. Learning and science are still totally my jam, if I don't go for medicine, I'll happily do a STEM PhD because I'm bored out of my mind in my current career and no amount of spending a salary eating at fancy restaurants or going on holiday can cure the daily grind of banality. However I wonder what life would be like as a trainee in path or psych in the UK? Considering that I'd only be finished with training in my 50s. Does it feel more like a job, or more like being a perpetual student? I want to hope I'd enjoy the journey, not be waiting for my 50s.

Reply 1

TSR Hippocrates

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Reply 2

bee2018

Original post by fearofthefuture

I have had some experience in pathology labs before and I can tell you that the learning never stops. You will always keep learning and if you are interested in looking at histological changes under a microscope and provide diagnostic care for patients - then this area is for you. You won't get much patient contact so it is quite different in that sense compared to other specialties. Pathology can be intense, and it's not for the faint-hearted either. There's lots of smells you'll need to get used like formalin, xylene and just general smell of specimens (if that makes sense), but it's really rewarding if you do go down this route.