Diabetic + Doctor = Possible?

Carsinian Thau

I've been a diabetic for ten years. I occasionally have dicciculty controlling it but I'm getting a lot better. For the last five years I've wanted to become a doctor. I'm now in Leaving Cert and I'm doing all honours and my teachers are confident about my ability etc. so academically I'm fine (at least good enough to probably get it if I need to repeat). But I've always had my doubts about the compatibility of being a diabetic and being a doctor. I'd appreciate any insight that anyone could offer.

Faith

Yeah, of course you can! Why should being a diabetic stop you? As long as you keep it under control, I can't imagine why there would be any problem.

DrIndy

The medical council only prohibits someone with a medical condition from practising if it can have a dangerous effect on patient care. For example addiction or blindness if you want to be surgeon etc.

One of the leaders of the diabetic federation is a GP who also happens to have diabetes, talk to him if you want some advice.

Zillah

I can't imagine how it would interfere.

eth0_

Zillah wrote:

I can't imagine how it would interfere.

The whole, not having enough time to take a break for lunch/dinner would be a bit of a bummer for a diabetic doctor, methinks.

DrIndy

no matter how busy I am, I ALWAYS have time for lunch.

Only a cardiac arrest stops me, nothing else is urgent enough to stop me eating. If you think about it, you are no good to anyone if you are hungry and cranky and can't think straight.

Murtinho

absolutely no reason what so ever that you couldnt be a dr or whatever you want really.
Youll understand this when you start studying medicine and diabetes in particular.

Traumadoc

I know of at least one consultant and one SPR that are insulin dependent diabetics.

CathyMoran

I have met a few doctors who were diabetic - it never affected them (and one of the guys that I met was working in A & E). In all jobs you will be pushed for time, you just have to do the things that you automatically do to look after it. I can only speak as being a type 1 diabetic almost 22 years but it has not stopped me doing anything that I wanted to do nor would I let it. The way I look at it, my diabetes care is like breathing at this stage, sure I have to do blood tests, take insulin, count the carbs for the insulin dose, etc but it is second nature. I got it when I was 10. Good luck to you.

Dr Galen

i know several doc's and nurses who are diabetic and it doesn't seem to affect them. Just make sure you look after yourself as much as you can and as the good Doc says get your food breaks in