When we think about medical doctors, most of us immediately picture high income, excitement, glamour and prestige. Afterall, doctors in all fields and specialties basically help to keep people healthy and fit, doing everything from comforting kids with the common cold to helping women give birth to handling emergency situations and treating terminal illnesses among others. What could be more rewarding and pleasurable than improving or saving lives on a regular basis?
However, many medical doctors will tell you that the daily realities of their profession go deeper than these. The unpredictability and bitter experiences they sometimes endure can be difficult to handle making their professions seem more like punishment than pleasure.
The pros and cons of being a medical doctor show that while this job can be highly pleasurable, rewarding and fulfilling, it isn't an easy one, it isn't always a walk in the park.
Those entertaining thoughts of making a career in medicine will appreciate a few key points and realities:
1. You will always be needed: Medical doctors are always in demand. The profession affords you a high level of employment security.
Regardless of the state of the economy, doctors will always be needed to give health advice, treat illnesses, disease, and injuries.
While robotics, artificial intelligence and automation can easily replace human functions in numerous industries, its a pleasure that the medical field is virtually immune from this impact.
2. It is not unusual to lose more people than you can save as a medical doctor: While you are always in demand, a much down played reality of being a medical doctor is that over the course of your career, you will have several unfortunate results. You will constantly deal with loss and suffering. And with some doctors, this doesn't become easier for them even with experience.
Also, since the doctor is usually the individual who notifies the family and friends of a loved one’s condition, they have the stress of this conversation to manage in addition to their personal reactions when faced with unfavorable outcomes.
3. You can make a positive impact in people's lives: While unfavorable experiences are inevitable, you indeed regularly make a positive impact on the lives of others.
It can be a fulfilling experience to nurture someone from sickness or injury to full recovery. Helping people through their worst of days back to happiness and joy via your treatments, care and concern can be a mutually beneficial experience.
4. Enormous Responsibility and Stress: Even as you positively impact people's lives, there are enormous responsibilities and stress that come with doing this. To be in a position to save lives regularly may be noble, this role can also become highly stressful very quickly. There is always pressure to make the correct decision in every situation. This responsibility can make doctors become fearful that they could make a mistake that may lead to the loss of a patient, or encounter a situation that creates an uncertain outcome.
Being a medical doctor is indeed one of the more stressful professions.
5. High Income: Though a stressful profession, doctors generally get paid handsomely for their troubles. The actual income that you can earn as a doctor depends on your experience, the specialty you practice, the setting where you work, and your geographic location.
Even though some specialties pay more than others, a career in medicine generally is one of the more lucrative options that are available today.
6. Long and unpredictable work hours: Although being highly paid, many doctors find themselves working long hours each day and not having enough time to spend with their family and friends.
On-call responsibilities are frequent, emergencies can force you to respond at all hours of the day regardless of what your "normal" work hours are supposed to be.
Even though you get compensated for this time, the long days can quickly lead to significant stress levels if not managed carefully.
7. Intellectually Stimulating: Medicine is a moving field and if you love to learn, pursuing a career in medicine will be an excellent choice.
Many doctors will tell you that your medical school studies is just the beginning of your education. As you practice, you will regularly encounter unique situations, new treatments, and evolving technologies. Its intellectually stimulating and can lead to higher job satisfaction.
These realities reveal that the rewards of being able to successfully treat an illness or even save a life are sometimes contrasted by the stresses of performing emergency medical interventions or losing a patient. Although the income is generally lucrative, the long hours and time away from friends and family can lead to an inability to enjoy the lifestyle said income is supposed to afford you.
Being a medical doctor:- Is it a punishment or a pleasure?
In the end, I think that decision lies with the individual....
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