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Thinking of leaving medicine, need advice

I'm finishing the first year of a 4 year graduate entry course. It has been ok, a lot of work. I am not in love with the subject but I am more concerned about the future and work-life balance. I'm in my early-mid 30s and I miss living near my family and I (also) want to meet someone and have a family of my own in the near future.

I am primarily concerned about work-life balance and lifestyle.

I don't really know what I am getting into in the latter years of medical school, foundation training and then further training and this is where I need advice. For example, what are the hours and shifts like during foundation training and specialist training? How likely am I to get the foundation training placement of my choice if it is in a large city?

I am aware that GP is the shortest route to becoming a doctor, but I question if I want to go through all of this just to be a GP. To be honest it does not look like an attractive job, apart from the salary.

I need some home truths from people who have been through the process so I can decide whether it is worth it for me to continue.

Thanks
Reply 1
Which type of foundation rotations are 9-5 and which are nights/long hours etc? I know very little about this process, I researched the medical schools I applied to and how their courses were strucutured.

With regards to the GP training - can you fill me in more on this. So it is 3 years after foundation training, which I know, but what would the 18 months of work in a non-GP setting be?

I did work experience in a GP setting. I reasonably enjoyed it, but do I want to study for 9 years to become a GP? I am not sure it is worth it (based on what I saw and what the GP(s) told me / their thoughts).

Other specialisms would require more training and this is what I would like to know more about because I don't know how the training is structured and what the lifestyle is like.

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