Anna Harvey, Final year medical student, Kings College London, past editorial scholar, The BMJ. Watching Dr. [Name] perform surgeries, both mundane and extraordinary, I began feeling a sense of disappointment that I couldnt take a more active role in assisting him. Economics studies how money, industry, and trade organise society. Thankfully, he was saved through the hard work of paramedics, but this close call made me realize that the first step in treating addiction isnt through social work. I started working out regularly and watching my diet. Dr. Lekha Reddy, MD Updated: Apr 27, 2023 The medical school personal statement and interview question "why do you want to become a doctor?" is one you need to be ready for. You may withdraw But we choose to make becoming a physician a painful experience. If you dont have a ready answer, its time to dig deep and start asking yourself some self-reflective questions. As such, its easy for people to do a quick symptom check online and attempt to self-diagnose an ailment, bypassing professional medical consultations altogether. For example, the fact that your parents are doctors may be part of thereason for you, but not just because they are doctors. Theres so much opportunity now to help patients help themselves, explains SGU alumna Dr. Barbara Bergin. And those methods themselves rely on scientific thinking to carry them out and interpret the results. But for some, they wish they had taken a different career path. As a teenager my appreciation evolved into me making a personal commitment to my health and fitness. DeltaQuest Media Limited. Terms of Service| Privacy Policy| Contact Us. Reasons to Be a Doctor | ProspectiveDoctor Get Personal Statement Editing Help 4. You will also be expected to provide a solid, thoughtful reason for why you want to become a medical professional. This is a highly personal question, so your answer should elaborate on those personal details. This is, of course, a challenging field to work in, but since high school I have been passionate about helping others, and children especially. Give specific reasons for choosing your career field. While other professions might offer the same flexibility, the competition might be stiffer, and the pay wont be nearly as good as that of a doctor. Meanwhile, other countries offer similar or even higher salaries for doctors. This was a massive relief when I learned about it! So, why do you want to become a doctor? Taking a more active role in surgery was incredibly fulfilling and exciting, so I began researching whether I could make the jump to an MD. I had thought about going into family medicine because you develop close relationships with patients, but I think I. Now it's time to have an answer that's concise, coherent and convincing. That's who I am. However, my interest in research turned to medicine, and my scientific leanings became focused after my mother was diagnosed with MS. As I watched her go in and out of doctors offices, as she became wheelchair-bound, as we had to install ramps at our house, as she struggled with this disease, I felt helpless. God gives back to us "pressed down, shaken together and running over.". Medicine and space. Here's a quick guide to more common medical school interview questions. Patients come to us, we patch them up and send them out to have the best and happiest lives they can. So many career paths 5 5. If you enjoy talking to people, then what could be nobler than teaching them how to stay healthy? If you love science and want to play your part, becoming a doctor could be the best decision you could make. Period. In fact, if you don't answer this question well, you are going to face. And yes. Ive been living the medical student life for four years and I still struggle to put it into words! Becoming a doctor is a lot of work. As weve seen, medicine combines several of these aspects into one. Its something like that that keeps you really inspired, refreshed and stops you burning out.. for good reason phrase. There is another story underneath that has influenced your path. 6 Reasons to Earn a Bachelor's Degree - Fremont University Why Become A Doctor? 10 Reasons To Be A Doctor - Immerse Education If you have a knack for numbers and you like to develop different hypotheses, you can easily switch between research and medical practice throughout your career. These usually include dental and medical coverage, disability insurance, retirement plans, and continuing medical education allowances. It takes many years of schooling and residency to become a doctor, but it is well worth the investment of time and money. Still, pursuing a career in medicine can help you become more grateful for your own circumstances. Becoming a doctor has long been an esteemed honor. The medical school personal statement and interview question why do you want to become a doctor? is one you need to be ready for. 1. Laura Nunez-Mulder, Final year medical student, Cambridge University, past editorial scholar, The BMJ. This includes physical, emotional, mental and social health. Because its not about us as individual doctors, its about us as a people, as a collective species. When my mother started acupuncture treatments, he explained the philosophy behind the treatment and how it would help our mother deal with her chronic pain. Copyright Immerse Education 2023 Immerse Education is not affiliated to the University of Cambridge/Oxford/London/Sydney nor their constituent colleges. Below are more sample answers to the interview question or personal statement prompt Why do you want to become a doctor?. I went to see this client after he failed to show for a check-in with me. Consider your primary motivations for studying medicine There are many reasons why candidates for medical school want to become doctors. . The experience on the plane, Dr. Karp adds, taught him that emergency medicine may be where hes needed most. >>Want us to help you get accepted? You directly handle pets and wildlife during evaluations and treatments. People who are outside the medical profession might think of doctors as a single job category. As a child, my familys doctor was a DO practitioner. For good reason - Idioms by The Free Dictionary Learn more about your chosen subject. But for St. Georges University (SGU) graduate Dr. Moshe Karp, that is the simple truth behind his decision to pursue a career in emergency medicine: he wanted to be able to save lives. Youll also need some time to reflect and craft a strong answer to this question, then practice delivering it in a polished but natural way. A bachelor's degree can give you the opportunity to find what you are passionate about and turn it into a career. These two examples go to show that the medical profession can be an excellent stepping-stone for another career where your expertise can give you an edge. Once you have made your choice, there are aseries of stepsyou have to follow to start off your medical career. Maybe you were there when the child of a patient they treated came up to your parent in the street and thanked them for their commitment to caring for their ailing parent. For more stories about doctors living out their dreams and making a difference, check out our article, 9 SGU Medical School Grads Who Are Improving Patients Lives Around the World, At SGU we respect your privacy and will never sell your information to a Strategy #1 - Confirm by Contrast Let's start with a strategy called "Confirm by Contrast," which works exactly how it sounds - you confirm PA by contrasting it with other paths you could have taken. Medical doctors have a significant degree of autonomy over their schedules and time. 10 Red Flags That Medical School Isn't Right for You - U.S. News Whether you treat minor health issues or help seriously ill patients find comfort, your job as a doctor will always change peoples lives for the better. "So, why medicine? Why do you want to be a doctor?" - The BMJ There is such a difference between biting into a fresh, sun-warmed tomato versus a store-bought one, and I have always had an appreciation for good, organic food. She goes on to explain that anesthesiology is a very technical specialty. If your primary drive in becoming a doctor is making money, that likely means you will not be putting patients first. 8 Signs You Should Consider Becoming a Family Physician - St. George's Hospitals and clinics often attract talented physicians with competitive employee benefits packages. So, its not surprising that the mere idea of entering the medical field doesnt always occur to us, even to those whod really enjoy and excel at it. Start your journey toward becoming a doctor. Dr. Karp continued this for approximately eight minutes and ultimately brought the passenger back to an alert state with a strong pulse. Pursuing a career in medicine means youll always be around professionals of several disciplines. We use science every day 3 3. One of the most common reasons is the ability to help people. The word doctor literally translates as teacher, which is really convenient if you like imparting knowledge! There are many resources to help you prepare for medical school interviews. If you enjoy school, it will make earning a bachelor's degree so much easier. Time to assume that health research is fraudulent, Paul Garner: For 7 weeks I have been through a, Comparative twin study: Access to healthcare, Jeffrey Aronson: When I Use a Word . Heres a sample answer tailored for you: I come from a humanities background, and I have worked as a social worker for the last 8 years. The ability to regurgitate dense medical knowledge and make the right diagnosis. Your reason for wanting to become a doctor may jump out at you right away, crystal clear. Students everywhere are preparing for a rapidly changing future. Hello Modou! Also, while it may sound good, mentioning "being challenged" is not per se a good thing. Dr. Doggett experienced this firsthand when she was still in clinical practice. But also compassion, of course, and resilience. Today we are reaping the . Interview Question: "Why Do You Want To Be a Doctor?" - Indeed all the more reason to do with even better reason or cause for doing phrase. Being a medical doctor is stimulating and interesting. Our School of Medicine offers rolling admissions for our January, April, and August classes. 1. It guarantees financial security The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the median salary for physicians and surgeons is $208,000 per year. Physicians share why they practice medicine, And Dr. Karp was actually able to see that goal come to fruition before his medical schooling was even complete. Thanks so much for your comment. , some also see it as a sign that people are eager to be educated and empowered to take responsibility of their own health. be collected and shared with selected SGU affiliated partners to improve Now, well teach you how to formulate and write your own answers to this question! I was hungry for knowledge, and I knew my new dream was to become a medical researcher, in order to help my mother and others like her find treatments and cures. I want to become a doctor so I can achieve this mission and further my understanding of public health, nutrition, and medicine. Here's why you should consider a career in medicine. My desire to change careers came from a realization that many of the clients I saw were coming to me after a pivotal moment in their lives. Embark on an online journey of academic discovery. The other reason is, of course, that humans will inadvertently keep getting injured or sick, despite their lifestyle choices or because of them. If youre the type of person who isnt scared of working hard and gets a sense of accomplishment from helping others, youll be a good fit for the role. Have your reasons changed throughout your career? Arranging an informational interview with a medical intern or professor can help you make an informed decision. Why do you want to become a doctor? Thanks alot , this was really helpful to me especially now that I am facing hard time with my HSC biology course. Essential work. 12 Pros and Cons of Being a Veterinarian | Indeed.com It's not without drawbacks, though. To answer the question "why do you want to be a doctor?" provide background about yourself, explain your reasons and experience, and finish with your goals. It is not how much money we make that ultimately makes us happy between nine and five. If youre currently trying to decidewhat career path to take, you may find the prospect of becoming a doctor both exciting and scary. He would do odd things such as look at my ear to see if I had any indicators of digestive issues, and he would often be correct that I had been suffering from stomach aches. Becoming a doctor is a highly respected and responsible position. These include higher levels of stress and depression, as debt can result in the delay of life milestones, like homeownership. Are you fascinated by stem cell research? I also decided to start a community fitness club, volunteering my time every week to organize activities for different ages and fitness levels of the participants. To answer this interview question can be tricky, since it is open-ended and everyones answer will be different. to teach patients about their conditions so that they better understand and can help themselves throughout the long haul of life, Dr. Bergin says. I realise that my perseverance to the hardship could be another strength to make me an outstanding doctor. Its incredibly humbling to realise just how much the public believes in our ability and our integrity, and that faith is a huge part of the reward. Anna also spoke about her desire to be part of something that is bigger than just herself: I think a big part of it for me was wanting to have that community, and that agency; because you do have agency as a doctor that you might not in other professions. Declan agreed: It goes without saying that its still a very respected profession. And it cant be ignored that, for all the debate over hours and training, the career is one that can be lifelong, and provides reasonable stability in terms of salary. Medicine is many sciences 4 4. More Sample Answers to Why Do You Want to Become a Doctor?, Why Medical School Interviewers Ask Why You Want to Become a Doctor, How to Figure Out the Answer for Yourself, How to Prepare for Your Medical School Interview, Sample Answer for Why Do You Want to Become a Doctor? Question, Below are more sample answers to the interview question or personal statement prompt Why do you want to become a doctor?. Theres so much opportunity now to help patients help themselves, explains SGU alumna Dr. Barbara Bergin. Reflect on your own reasons to become a doctor. The team also heard from some very special guests about why they chose medicine. Here's how to do just that: You'll have to include a lot of personal details to back up your story and you must remember to avoid cliches such as "because I want to help people" in order to stand out in your medical school interview. Immerse Education brands previously include Cambridge Immerse and Oxbridge Immerse. I had developed a holistic interest in medicine as an undergrad and was considering applying to nursing school. The opportunity to help people with one of the most essential things in life their health can open a great many doors you didnt even know to exist. If you can successfully make it through college then you are capable of succeeding in medical school. Immerse Education recognizes the need [], In todays competitive world, high school students need to equip themselves with the necessary skills and experiences that will set them apart in their future academic pursuits and career paths. I acknowledge that my data will Doctors tend to have great job security as there is always demand for them and a shortage of actual doctors. Ive done various jobs, all of which I have enjoyed, many of which I would only do once, but I enjoyed that once. He continued, the reason to do a job is because you wish to do it, and if you manage to do that, medicine is a fantastic career., As Zoe highlighted, being a doctor is not just about the skills and knowledge you acquire throughout your career, but also how you feel: Its not just what I do, its who I am., To readers and listeners: why did you want to study medicine? Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts Session 215 In this episode, I discuss the importance of knowing why you want to be a doctor. Doctors are known for dealing with high-stress situations while working strenuous hours that can potentially include long evenings and even weekends in the event of an emergency or call schedule. She believes the vast amount of information available to practitioners and their patients simply represents a new call-to-action. Youll never need to buy a pen again! So, in today's article, we're going to look at nine reasons why you shouldn't become a doctor. While many medical professionals warn patients of the dangers of online self-diagnosis, some also see it as a sign that people are eager to be educated and empowered to take responsibility of their own health. "Three things - autonomy, complexity, and a connection between effort and reward - are, most people agree, the three qualities that work has to have if it is to be satisfying. These answers will be especially helpful for the non-traditional med school applicant. educational services, marketing, and analytics. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb." Safiya, 2nd Year: My motivation for studying Medicine stems from my reasons for choosing to go to Medical School in the first place. They want to admit students who have a genuine, passionate interest in medicine. There's a consistent need for pharmacy services. Only about half of doctors are happy with their careers. When discussing the appeal of becoming a doctor, its easy to focus solely on the passion that drives those individuals. Our site uses cookies. But as long as you remain persistent and passionate about reaching your goal, you can overcome whatever obstacles might be standing in your way. What about the medical profession most appeals to you? This shortage may have led to more job opportunities for doctors in these fields. Why PA vs. MD Reflecting on his career, he said: like many others, I have changed my mind multiple times, and the only thing that ran through all of it was clinical practice, which I still do. From a very young age, science has been my passion. Doctors work in a high-pressure environment, often fraught with stress, unpredictability, and urgency. Nikki Nabavi, The BMJ, University of Manchester. Unparalleled academic experiences in inspirational locations. Natasha is an ICF-certified career coach and uses her expertise to help businesses and individuals navigate career change and professional development in a structured, easy-to-follow manner. The work can be very fulfilling because you help animals remain healthy and live more comfortably. I use handouts, draw pictures, and use my blog to teach patients about their conditions so that they better understand and can help themselves throughout the long haul of life, Dr. Bergin says. Thanks for your comment. For our final reflections, we turned to perhaps the most famous doctor in the UK the Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty. Besides a high income, being a doctor gives you a certain level of recognition. 4Average of academic years 2019, 2020, 2021 scores. Parenting is one of the most complex and challenging jobs you'll face in your lifetime -- but also the most rewarding. Take some time to brainstorm and reflect on your past experiences which have led you to pursue a career in medicine, then turn this into a short, personal narrative you can deliver as an interview answer. *Not in conjunction with any other offers. I read at length about the medicinal practices of many non-Western and ancient cultures, curious about the evolution of medicine and healing. There was nothing I could do to help her, and science, where I normally found the answers to all my questions, had no definitive solution. It takes years, many setbacks, and challenges before anyone can call himself an achiever or successful. 12 Reasons To Become a Veterinarian (Plus 4 Job Titles) Because to me, medicine should be open-minded, less rigid and more encompassing. We do what we do because it needs to be done and somebody needs to do it. Their responses revealed what makes their daily work worth the effort. My father used to keep a vegetable garden and planted a small orchard on our property. She's worked with hundreds of learning & development organizations to help them deliver training that aligns with the organization's business goals as well as the needs of the employees. Its not uncommon for doctors to hold a professorship at universities or provide on-the-job training to new physicians. What Makes A Good Doctor? The first time you will confront "Why do you want to be a doctor?" is in your medical school personal statement. Preparing for an osteopathic med school interview? When we talk about job satisfaction, we refer to things like salary range, flexibility, work conditions, and career advancement opportunities. According to these MDs, there are plenty of reasons to become a doctor. He indulged my curious mind with typical kid-friendly experiments, helped me do research for science projects at school and shared interesting journal articles and news items he thought I might enjoy. If youre intrigued by the science behind living beings and you want to find out more about medicine or biology, why not sign up for our award-winning medical summer schools for high school students? Dr Christine Bishara, MDexplains that something she truly enjoys as a doctor is the opportunity to exchange knowledge with others: I really enjoy teaching, but also learning from others. The submit button will be disabled until you complete the CAPTCHA. BeMo is trusted by students and is the author of multiple Amazon bestselling books with hundreds of 5-star reviews. When my siblings and I were younger, he would keep us entertained at our regular doctors visits with Chinese fortune telling and interesting facts about traditional medicine from different cultures. I know with my background I can be better informed on the social and psychological aspects of addiction. This is a great attraction for those of us who find lectures and books really boring in comparison to delivering a good, old-fashioned injection! Without rest, stress and tiredness can pile up, leading to an increased risk of harm to both the practitioners and their patients. At the end of the day, I feel I have been a critical member of the health delivery team in a measurable way, Dr. Ma says. Despite the undeniable challenges on the road to becoming a physician, there are distinct rewards to pursuing a career in medicine. Listen to the episode on spotify or apple pods. In particular, I worked with families and children affected by addiction. If you dont have a ready answer, its time to dig deep and start asking yourself some self-reflective questions. This question may seem like it has an obvious answer, but it requires deep reflection, self-awareness and thoughtfulness to answer it. Being focused in a niche area has also given her confidence that shell enjoy long-term engagement in her field. Having a career goal in mind can be a great motivator, but you must also enjoy going to class, engaging with professors, learning new material, and the day-to-day responsibilities of being enrolled in a bachelor's degree program . Applying through QuARMS? Can you think of any other good reasons to become a doctor? 14 Reasons to Be Generous - Prophetic Crossroads She takes part in procedures such as epidurals and spinals and places invasive monitors, including central lines, pulmonary artery catheters, and arterial lines. Hospitals depend on healthcare staff to make quick assessments and ensure that every patient is treated with the care they deserve. Later, once youre a medic, you can branch out into even more STEM disciplines. . Being the best Doctor we can be is a chimera, but as Churchill put it: "You know you will never get to the end of the journey. While there, I befriended a PA and asked to shadow him for a few months. A degree like this combines a love for sports with the business skills needed to become successful in this field. Nine Reasons Why You SHOULDN'T Become A Doctor - International Medical Aid Motivation for Being a Doctor | Woman - The Nest What spurred your decision? What Interviewers And Applications Are Looking For Believe it or not, the question "why do you want to be a doctor?" holds a lot of weight during the application process. Medical school interview preparation is key for any med school applicant, and answering some of these trickier questions can take some work. This is one of the most frustrating questions to answer for most premed students, yet it is also the most important question to answer convincingly whether you are a DO or MD applicant. You'll have to include a lot of personal details to back up your story and you must remember to avoid cliches such as "because I want to help people" in order to, stand out in your medical school interview. I read journals and articles about the disease and the developing treatments for it. Why do you want to become a doctor over another related profession? Arriving at the interview feeling confident and prepared is essential. It is a discipline which carries both traditional wisdom and ground-breaking research, both the body and the mind. Why Being a Doctor is Awesome | Med School Insiders The importance of medical professionals has never been more apparent than during the COVID-19 pandemic. Why Get a Doctorate in Nursing (DNP)? - NurseJournal.org