She was a little older than me, had no medical problems, and was in my operating room with no heartbeat. She was found down in a snowstorm and brought in with severe hypothernmia. For the remainder of that freezing night I forgot about the long work hours and the hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt and worked with the other doctors, putting our patient onto cardiopulmonary bypass, warming her up, and getting her heart beating again. She woke up the next day and was totally fine. A few days later she walked out of our hospital. I will never forget how one moment she was dead…and then she was fine.
Practicing medicine is a highly respected and prestigious profession. However, it comes with long hours, stress, and significant financial investments. It’s extremely difficult to get into medical school and a long road to becoming an attending.
It’s no wonder why the #1 question I get from students is: is being a doctor worth it?
If you had asked me that when I was a second year medical student or an intern, you would have gotten a different answer than what I’d say today.
Myself, the 2nd year Medical student: Oh my God, what have I done? All I do is study. I have no social life and it’s only going to get worse. I really don’t know if I did the right thing. I like learning but I’m not really seeing patients. I’m just not sure if it’s worth it.
Look what second year med school did to my hair!
Surgery Intern: I’m ALWAYS at the hospital. I’m not seeing my friends, I’m not exercising, I’m getting yelled at and ridiculed. This isn’t worth it.
It’s not true that I was ALWAYS in the hospital. Look, here’s me in Ecuador—pretty sure I was having fun that day!
Today: It’s absolutely worth it. It’s satisfying to do hard things. I love the non-stop learning and it feels good to be taking care of people. Every year or so, there is something really hard to deal with: a big exam, a patient death, etc. None of those things are enjoyable, but each challenge pushed me to grow. I don’t think I could have grown as much if I had chosen an easier path. Now I’m working part time and have time for my family.
In 2021, I took a radical sabbatical and lived in an RV with my wife and kids. I don’t know if I could have done that if I had not worked so hard. Moab 2021
I want to ackowledge the downsides. Yes, the educational path to becoming a doctor is a long and arduous one, involving many years of study and high levels of competition. Yes, it requires a significant financial investment, with medical school fees alone averaging around $40,000 per year. And yes, the high levels of responsibility and pressure that come with the job can lead to significant levels of stress and burnout. Yes, all that is true but it doesn’t mean it’s not worth it.
Christmas at Yale New Haven Hospital. At least we had each other!
There are many compelling reasons why being a doctor is worth it. The opportunity to help people and make a positive impact on their lives is incredibly rewarding. We doctors save lives, alleviate pain and suffering, and provide hope to patients and their families.
In addition, the medical profession offers a high degree of job security and financial stability. The demand for healthcare services is only increasing, and the average salary for a doctor is around $200,000 per year. While this salary may come with significant student loan debt, it is typically considered a good return on investment, particularly given the ability to make a real difference in people's lives.
A career in medicine is an acquired taste. Estonia 2010
Moreover, being a doctor provides a great deal of flexibility in terms of career paths and opportunities for advancement. Doctors can choose to specialize in a particular area of medicine, such as cardiology or pediatrics, or they can pursue research or administrative positions. This allows doctors to shape their careers in a way that aligns with their interests and goals.
Working as a doctor in New Zealand was a great way to get to know this wonderful country! Milford Sound, NZ 2012
Being a doctor offers a sense of fulfillment and purpose that is difficult to find in many other professions. Doctors are part of a respected and trusted community, and they have the opportunity to work alongside other healthcare professionals to make a real difference in people's lives.
In conclusion, whether it’s worth it depends on who you ask and when you ask them. I don’t think I would have given out good advice as an intern because while there are certainly challenges associated with pursuing a career in medicine, the benefits are significant.
Being a doctor is great! Being a patient is not. South Sudan 2010
We all need to spend our lives doing something. Having the opportunity to make a real difference in people's lives, the financial stability, and the sense of purpose and fulfillment that comes with being a doctor make it a highly worthwhile and rewarding profession.
Ultimately, for those who are passionate about learning, helping others, and willing to make the necessary sacrifices, being a doctor is definitely worth it.
What do you think? Is being a doctor worth it? If you’re a premed or a medical student, let me know what you think?