Blog

-Erika Allen

“The question is, who are you?” – Rafiki (The Lion King)

Maybe an outdated reference, but bear with me. You’ve always wanted to be a doctor. Ever since you were a little kid, you took the right classes in high school and college, shadowed by your mom, who always said you could...so here you are. But do you want to be? Your immediate answer is yes, of course, or you’ve moved on to another article. For those of you still reading, medical school is hard. (I feel you rolling your eyes) It is mentally taxing, emotionally taxing, and can be physically taxing. I can’t tell you how many students I have seen lose incredible amounts of weight, gain weight, forget what personal hygiene is, and in most extreme cases become of shell of the person they were before. Now, did those people become doctors? Some did. Not all. And it all goes back to my (Rafiki’s) first question, “Who are you?” and who do you want to become? Let me refute the clichéd reasons.

1. You’ve always wanted to be a doctor. Cool, having a goal is awesome, and we’re all about goal setting here. But why? Why have you always wanted to be a doctor? To help people? Wrong. There are many, many other professions where you can help people and make a positive impact on their lives without being a physician. The answer to this question is personal and it should be, don’t go with the snooze worthy answers. Have you been personally affected by a lack of access to healthcare or had a terrible (or amazing) experience with a physician? There needs to be substance behind the why, and when there isn’t? That’s when we see things fall apart.
    
2. You’re good at science. Zzzzz…yeah? Me, too. Again, this is not the whole picture. Does it help that you’re “good at science”? Obviously. But not the only reason to be a physician. There are many, many jobs where you’re “good at science” and “can help people” that aren’t physicians. Clinical research is just one.
    
3. Your mom, dad, grandparent, or whoever always said you could. Ok, we love supportive parents in medical/healthcare education. A strong support system is one of the main things that will get you through the next two to four years (or forever). But back to the main questions, “who are you?” and “what do you want to be?” This one breaks my heart. The struggle that students face when they are in medical school and are only doing it for their parents…ugh. It is brutal. It’s not your goal. You’ve been encouraged (great!), but you haven’t developed the drive and motivation, or the reasons, that make you want to be there.
    
4. The prestige. Bye, Felicia. These students…talk about not having the right reasons. If you don’t have empathy, compassion, patience, diligence…the list goes on, and all you want is to be a doctor…other ways, bro. People call me 'doctor' (as they should), a lawyer has a doctorate, and a physical therapist also has a doctorate. Other options, ones where your competitive, cutthroat, douchebag attitude won’t hurt people. Tough love here, but this is not a reason to be a doctor (or, honestly, even the other things I mentioned, except maybe a lawyer).
    
5. The money. Oh boy, the misconceptions here. Let’s start with the cost of medical school. Those dollar signs you’ve been imagining? Byeeee! The money you’re going to make in residency? Lol. The money you’re going to make in fellowship? Lol. Ok, so, six to ten years later, now we’re making money. But you probably still have a quarter to half a million (yes, million) dollars in loans. Financial guidance and counseling are great ideas while you’re in medical school. Be smart! It is not Monopoly money. Do not use the money to go on spring break, buy a new car, or get a puppy (also, you don't have time for this, and this is coming from a woman who has two dogs). Yes, you will make good, even great money eventually, but it shouldn’t be the only reason.

So if you made it through the list and still aren’t offended (sorry, not sorry), take some time to outline your goals. Make a vision board. Write yourself notes or a letter. Make reminders for yourself, so that when things get hard (and they will), you have positive reminders of why you’re doing this. And when someone like me asks, “Who are you?” you have a kickass answer.