Unsure as to whether Study Graduate Entry Medicine

LegacyUser

Hi, Im in the penultimate year of my college course, which is in a science discipline (somewhat relevant to medicine). Medicine is something which has always been on my mind since I was a teenager. I was a member of a voluntary first aid group and I lived and breathed it. I was obsessed and for a while I thought being a doctor would be the coolest thing in the world. However, my secondary school grades, whilst *good* (perhaps slightly above average) I would never have stood a chance of getting into medicine. I unfortunately had to give up first aid for reasons outside my control, and eventually I could no longer remember or feel that passion I once had. Now I am in college and am doing well academically. Medicine is something which has always been niggling in the back of my mind but as I said, when I gave up first aid I lost that excitement and passion I once had for it. I am not sure if I want to pursue grad medicine after I finish my current degree. I feel like if I do not it will be something I will always wonder about.

However what scares me most about doing medicine is not the career, (e.g. the things that put doubts in to most peoples minds such as the busy schedule, long shifts, insurance fees/claims, etc) its the thought of another four years of college. Not just four years of any course, but an extremely intensive, stressful course. As I said earlier I do well in college academically, but it comes with a price. I am a massive stress head, I get anxiety very bad around exams, I actually fear them. I become so overwhelmed not only do I suffer from physiological effects, but I also go into overdrive and have ended up on medication. I completely panic and have had to go counselling multiple times for it. I always walk away from exams feeling I did awful, but actually I usually come out with quite high grades, last semester I pretty much had a melt down after I sat an exam I was certain I had failed-I had such a bad reaction to sitting that exam I ended up deferring the remainder of my exams. I later got my overall result for that particular module and then discussed it with the head of said module-not only did I pass the exam, I received a B overall, higher than anyone else I have spoken to about said exam.

In counselling we have discussed the roots of this illogical fear and reliance on doing well in exams, my counsellor believes it is because of my bad childhood, however I just think its an internal pressure from myself due to low self esteem.

Anywho, I was just wondering of what peoples opinions were, I have spoken to my parent about it, if I do not do grad medicine I have another health care career in mind which only requires 2 years of study as opposed to 4 so I feel that this will be less stress/fewer exams. However I know if I pursue this other course I will always wonder and perhaps regret not doing medicine.

castaway_lady

I think you essentially have answered your own question- you are unsure! 4 years of med school on top of four years is definitely not something you undertake while unsure. It's too big a stretch and too expensive.

You could always finish your current degree and do this- http://www.ambulancetraining.ie/index.php?page=emergency-medical-technician---emt .
It's only a few weeks, it's a qualification that will never go a stray and it might let you test the vocation for a medical/ paramedical career at all.

SarahMollie

I'd tend to agree that you've pretty much answered your own question, as above.

The other thing to consider is that post grad medicine (to my knowledge) involves considerable expense of the students part, I think I've heard figured of €100k plus over the 4 years. You'd have to live too, and likely relocate a number of times while on placement. This is all worth it of course if you end up with the job of your dreams at the end, but if you end up quitting half way through either because you can't cope/just don't want to do it anymore, you could have amassed some considerable debts?!

My personal opinion is that you have to have a serious passion to put yourself through these type of courses, with the stress levels, effort involved etc.

Isnt there a sort of aptitude test/ entrance exam that you have to take (GAM STAT maybe?) to get in? Maybe you could take that anyway before before you have to commit to the course.

Augme

Is it just exams that stress you out or other situations? Basically I can't really think of a worse job than medicine/doctor for someone who is easily stressed. How do you think you'd cope if you made an error that lead to someone dying? As long as you cave that badly during exams I think you'd be crazy to consider another minimum 4 years of college.

Faith

It's a complex one. I'm sure you'd be a great doctor, but it is a high pressure, high intensity career and there's really no respite. For some, that's manageable. For you, you obviously have severe issues with anxiety. That does not bode well for the demands of a career in medicine.

You say you're in counselling. How are you targeting the anxiety? If you find exams stressful, where you have several hours to get the job done, how would you cope when someone is dying in front of you, people are shouting at you, and you need to make an immediate life-or-death decision?

I don't think your anxiety issues should preclude you from a career in medicine. However, I do think they need to be addressed and treated as a matter of priority, and I don't think that's a quick fix thing for you.

If I were you, I'd focus on sorting out the anxiety. In a couple of years, when it's under control, you can revisit the idea.

Also, just FYI, but for graduate medicine you need to sit an intense, high-pressure day of exams just to be considered for the course.

sullivlo

SarahMollie wrote: »

I'd tend to agree that you've pretty much answered your own question, as above.

The other thing to consider is that post grad medicine (to my knowledge) involves considerable expense of the students part, I think I've heard figured of €100k plus over the 4 years. You'd have to live too, and likely relocate a number of times while on placement. This is all worth it of course if you end up with the job of your dreams at the end, but if you end up quitting half way through either because you can't cope/just don't want to do it anymore, you could have amassed some considerable debts?!

My personal opinion is that you have to have a serious passion to put yourself through these type of courses, with the stress levels, effort involved etc.

Isnt there a sort of aptitude test/ entrance exam that you have to take (GAM STAT maybe?) to get in? Maybe you could take that anyway before before you have to commit to the course.

Just to say on the GAMSAT test. The most recent day of testing in Ireland was Saturday just gone. A good friend of mine did the exams. She is naturally very bright, very academic, very studious. She has very few performance anxiety issues when it comes to exams.

But she struggled on Saturday. It was a full on 9-5 day with three exams. It also required a huge amount of study commitment from when she decided to attempt the GAMSAT (we first discussed this last June, so she's been preparing for ages.)

I'm not saying this to put you off OP, just making you aware of the intensity of the day.

Would you consider the HPAT exam instead? It's more aptitude based rather than rote learning, and qualifies you to study GEM in Queens.

The financial implications are also massive: many banks have stopped the guaranteed loan for fees and living expenses. So there is that to figure in also if money trouble could add to your anxiety.

Would you consider going to a career guidance counsellor to discuss your career plans?

In saying the negative things... I do have several friends from my undergrad degree that have completed GEM and are now fully fledged doctors and love it. They also seemed to have a lot of craic in the learning process - not sure that inspires confidence in the future generation of doctors

There are also other ways of getting into a more medical related field from science, without requiring lots more exams. Have you considered the NHS scientist training program? It's intensely competitive but it's a fantastic taught masters in different clinical fields, so you become a member of the treatment team in the hospital to advise on the scientific side of things. It's an incredible opportunity. Tough application process, but doable.

There are also programs to become a MedLab scientist. They're currently oversubscribed in Ireland and not running for the foreseeable future, however the UK based courses are also recognised here.

I've a science background (degree in biotechnology, PhD in biochemistry, working in immunology) so I'll gladly answer any questions that I can on career paths available to scientists.

Also. Don't be afraid to back yourself. If it's the anxiety that is holding you back, it's good that you're working through it. But if you do have a passion, go for it. The worst that could happen is that you decide during the process that it's not for you, and you can always change your mind.

Best of luck with the decision. And I hope your 4th year project is going well

Ryan Mac Sweeney

Hi there
I have read your post. I also suffer from anxiety and agitation as I have Aspergers Syndrome. So my advice to you would be to maybe go and speak to a Guideance Counsellor about your career. Also if it is something that youre interested in I believe that you should go ahead as it is a case of now or never and you will regret it if you refuse. I know that another 4 years in college may sound daunting but believe me these 4 years will fly and then it will all be worth it in the end as you will have it all done and dusted and you will have your dream career. Also with stress at exams my advice would be to stay calm always get a good nights sleep the night before an exam and have a good breakfast on the morning of an exam and always bring a bottle of water with you to the exam as you need to stay hydrated in order to concentrate. When answering exam questions remember if you get a question that you cant answer then skip it and move on to the next one. Also do lots of studying before an exam and on days when you have free classes and in between lectures use that time to go to the library or college hall and study away. Remember there is no need to be stressed about exams as at the end of the day they are only exams. Just do the best you can and always think positive.

LegacyUser

Like you I did a science-related degree, then I pursued graduate medicine. One thing I've learned is that many people (myself included) go into a career in medicine with little idea what they're actually walking into.

Firstly to tackle the exam aspect. In medicine, and graduate medicine in particular, exams are a near constant. From informal anatomy oral exams every week of first year, to exams every 6 or 8 weeks throughout term. Not just written but practical/clinical exams. And once you're on hospital placement you are almost constantly being tested in some shape or form. Consultants will quiz you on rounds, in theatre and in tutorials, there's sometimes weekly or monthly mcq exams. Third med/fourth med exams and final med exams are some of the most intense you will every sit. Gamsat, while undeniably intense, pales in comparison. I don't know if you're familiar with the formats of practical exams in medicine - look up OSCEs, short cases and long cases to give yourself an idea - timed exams of sometimes 14 or more stations, bedside exams with real patients overseen by consultants. Nerve-wracking for even the most calm and confident.

Then there's the actual job. If you're not somewhat scared of the prospect of it, you probably don't really know what it entails. Have you done any shadowing/work experience? It's advisable for anyone considering a career in medicine to shadow an intern, during a 24 hour call if possible. When you've been in work since 8am and it's now 3am, you haven't slept, had food or a bathroom break in 8 hours, you've a list of urgent jobs as long as your arm, 300-odd patients in your area of responsibility and some really sick patients to tend to, you need to be able to cope with stress. If you struggle to handle pressure from exams, how will you handle on the job stress where your performance has real life consequences?

Would I do medicine if I could go back, knowing what I know now? Probably not. There's near constant stress and pressure, working conditions in most areas swing between barely adequate and abysmal, pay is okay (but insufficient to pay back a graduate loan at the rate expected while renting/paying a mortgage), you change jobs (and hospitals/counties) every six or twelve months. I'm lucky that I enjoy my current job and really like the specialty I'm training in. I have an escape plan should that change and so do some of my colleagues. And medicine takes its own toll on your health, both physically and psychologically.

Think of the life you'd like to have in ten years time and superimpose ten or twelve hour working days in poor, understaffed conditions, a 24 or 36 hour on call shift at least once a week, an unsupportive working environment, and expensive and high pressured exams (they don't stop when you graduate, they just get harder to pass). Are the two compatible?

In my opinion, learning from my own mistakes, medicine isn't something you should pursue unless you are very certain and don't have better options of jobs that offer superior conditions and work/life balance. If you have another idea in mind, give it serious consideration.

sheep-go-baa

I work as a doctor currently. And it is not something that you can be at all half hearted about. Plenty things about the job suck and you have to really want it for those things to seem okay.

Also in career in medicine there are always exams. There is a lot of postgraduate training involved which requires constant exams and courses you need to do in you spare time. If you wanted to move to the US or Canada you have to do competency exams.

This isn't intended to be discouraging but only to say that you need to really want this for it to be worth it.

LegacyUser

I'm in the health care field& have many friends who trained as doctors. Medicine is tough& it's intimidating- you go from being a big fish in a small pond, to being surrounded by lots of other big fish, students who are either extremely hard grafters&/academically gifted in that they barely have to glance at a book but that they have it memorised. Even at that, I've known 3 people from this intense cohort who graduated& then couldn't hack the stress& the pace of working as doctors. Then, say you graduate, you thrn face into post-grad training, where you'll be competing against the Leaving Cert graduates, the 600pointers, who are academically in the top 1% of the population. So you kind of need to be able to hold your nerve