I posted this over in the pre-med forum, but thought I should get some input from more public health oriented people.
I was accepted into med school and now I'm starting to have some second thoughts. I'm a nontraditional student. I have my MPH and really enjoy public health. Originally I thought about a PhD in epi, but decided on applying to med school based on the job opportunities. If I went PhD, I thought I would work in academia, and sometimes job opportunities can be limited.
Since I've been accepted, I've started really questioning if this is the right career path for me. I love public health and research, and have always thought with my MD I would work in academic medicine. As I'm starting to look at the realities of med school/residency, I'm thinking it's not the best path for me. My dad and brother are physicians, so I have an idea of what med school and physician work/life is. I'm still going to be limited in opportunities trying to find a position in academic medicine doing some public health/epi research, and I know I wouldn't be happy working as a full-time clinician. I'm starting to think maybe working using my MPH for a couple years and then going PhD would be the better option.
I've thought of MD/PhD, but I'm in my early 30's and adding at least 3 more years onto schooling is a little daunting. I've had my MPH for a couple years and have worked part-time at a health department and have taught undergrad epi and biostats courses, while I was finishing up some med school prereqs.
Any thoughts?
I was accepted into med school and now I'm starting to have some second thoughts. I'm a nontraditional student. I have my MPH and really enjoy public health. Originally I thought about a PhD in epi, but decided on applying to med school based on the job opportunities. If I went PhD, I thought I would work in academia, and sometimes job opportunities can be limited.
Since I've been accepted, I've started really questioning if this is the right career path for me. I love public health and research, and have always thought with my MD I would work in academic medicine. As I'm starting to look at the realities of med school/residency, I'm thinking it's not the best path for me. My dad and brother are physicians, so I have an idea of what med school and physician work/life is. I'm still going to be limited in opportunities trying to find a position in academic medicine doing some public health/epi research, and I know I wouldn't be happy working as a full-time clinician. I'm starting to think maybe working using my MPH for a couple years and then going PhD would be the better option.
I've thought of MD/PhD, but I'm in my early 30's and adding at least 3 more years onto schooling is a little daunting. I've had my MPH for a couple years and have worked part-time at a health department and have taught undergrad epi and biostats courses, while I was finishing up some med school prereqs.
Any thoughts?
