Anthropology PhD to MD?

[imnotsure1]

I'll make it quick: I'm about to enter an applied medical anthropology PhD program at a very respectable university, but I'm having a lot of doubts about whether I would be better off (both in terms of happiness and fit with my interests) pursuing the MD. The issue is that while I'm very qualified to get the anthropology degree (I have an MA in hand from an R1 in a related field), I have completed no pre-requisites, and the only science I took as an UG was computer science! I would be totally starting over.

I would need to complete a post-bacc (including, sadly, basics like pre-calc) and then apply for the MD. I'm about to turn 29 and I want to have a family at some point. I went to an elite UG, but never really went outside of the humanities and social sciences. I am, however, lucky enough to consider the post-bacc and MD knowing I could pay for it without taking out loans.

Is this nuts? Should I just go ahead and complete the PhD? It is funded for the duration of the degree, so I won't be incurring any debt even though I won't be making much compared to people in professional positions. Plenty of medical anthropologists are employed by hospitals and in public sector research positions, but I am hearing the call of clinical practice loud and clear...

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[ZedsDed]

I'll make it quick: I'm about to enter an applied medical anthropology PhD program at a very respectable university, but I'm having a lot of doubts about whether I would be better off (both in terms of happiness and fit with my interests) pursuing the MD. The issue is that while I'm very qualified to get the anthropology degree (I have an MA in hand from an R1 in a related field), I have completed no pre-requisites, and the only science I took as an UG was computer science! I would be totally starting over.

I would need to complete a post-bacc (including, sadly, basics like pre-calc) and then apply for the MD. I'm about to turn 29 and I want to have a family at some point. I went to an elite UG, but never really went outside of the humanities and social sciences. I am, however, lucky enough to consider the post-bacc and MD knowing I could pay for it without taking out loans.

Is this nuts? Should I just go ahead and complete the PhD? It is funded for the duration of the degree, so I won't be incurring any debt even though I won't be making much compared to people in professional positions. Plenty of medical anthropologists are employed by hospitals and in public sector research positions, but I am hearing the call of clinical practice loud and clear...

Pursuing medicine makes no sense on multiple levels; it has to be a calling for you. Only you can answer this question, follow your heart.

 

[imnotsure1]

Pursuing medicine makes no sense on multiple levels; it has to be a calling for you. Only you can answer this question, follow your heart.

Totally. The deeper I get into my research, the more I feel powerless to answer in the tools of my field. It is difficult to express, but anthropology by definition limits itself to study and not action. I want to be a doctor, there is no doubt, but my questions are more about feasibility: is it doable? Is it advisable? Will I be 40 by the time I can practice?

 

[DrMidlife]

Paging Dr. Konner to the white courtesy telephone...

 

[familyaerospace]

As an FYI, the book DrMidlife suggested is very helpful and I want to read it again. I've met him, his office was just down the hall from where I worked.

 

[QofQuimica]

I'm a PhD-to-MD who did an MS first and worked for a while in between my MS and PhD. You sound a lot like me when I was at your stage, except I had already done the prereqs. I was 31 when I started med school, which is how old you'd be too in the best case scenario.

Here's the thing: med school is not a place to go find yourself. Other than just waking up this morning and thinking, "gee, it would be cool to be a physician," what actual experiences have you had in health care? If the answer is "none," or, "I've read about it," then this is where you start: shadowing, clinical volunteering, and speaking to practicing physicians. You'd be committing yourself to another decade of training minimum, and yes, you'd be 40 at *minimum* when you started practicing. So you'd better not be doing this career switch without a darn good reason....and a solid plan.

As for the PhD, if you're not sure you want to do it, then don't. Get a job and work. You're 29; it's not unreasonable to want to be out of school and making a decent income. And it will give you a chance to figure out what you want to be when you grow up. I can tell you that once I started working in a tech job, I figured out pretty darn quickly that I didn't want to be an MS-level chemist for the rest of my life, and I had new motivation to finish my PhD. 😉

Hope this helps, and best of luck to you.

 

[imnotsure1]

Here's the thing: med school is not a place to go find yourself. Other than just waking up this morning and thinking, "gee, it would be cool to be a physician," what actual experiences have you had in health care? If the answer is "none," or, "I've read about it," then this is where you start: shadowing, clinical volunteering, and speaking to practicing physicians. You'd be committing yourself to another decade of training minimum, and yes, you'd be 40 at *minimum* when you started practicing. So you'd better not be doing this career switch without a darn good reason....and a solid plan.

Thanks! This is super helpful - my experience thus far includes only ethnographic research, including shadowing and speaking with physicians, patients, OTs, bioengineers and kinesiologists. I'm also the daughter of a nurse, and did a lot of volunteering in longterm care facilities for people with disabilities way back in high school. I haven't been in school this whole time either, having left a lucrative career in entertainment after 5+ years to get my MA. I know this makes me sound like I have done too many things and tend toward waffling, but the reality is that I was told growing up that girls are just not good at science and math, and so I pursued the (for me) easier route of humanities and social sciences. I listened to people tell me I was 'bad' at science because of my gender until it was too late. I have always been passionate about medicine (hence medical anthropology), but only in the last year or so have I been feeling like I made a major misstep not being pre-med in UG.

With that said, you're absolutely right -- to begin again professionally at 40 might just not be a sacrifice I'd be willing to make. In that timeframe I could be leading my own studies as a PhD in a hospital setting, just not as a physician...

My plan is to begin the PhD and see where it takes me. Alums of the program have opted to go for the PhD/MPH, PhD/RN and the PhD/MD, so if I commit to one of those tracks practicing medicine remains a possibility (I'd be in school probably forever, but at least tuition is covered as long as you teach). Thanks again!

 

[clausewitz2]

Bear in mind that you cannot generally just decide to do an MD after enrolling in a PhD program and have your tuition covered. MD/PhD programs are their own beast that you need to apply to and complete from soup to nuts. Obviously it is possible to start the MD after completing the PhD (I did just this), but you will most definitely be on the hook for tuition unless you are such a rock star that you get a free ride somewhere.

 

[imnotsure1]

Bear in mind that you cannot generally just decide to do an MD after enrolling in a PhD program and have your tuition covered. MD/PhD programs are their own beast that you need to apply to and complete from soup to nuts. Obviously it is possible to start the MD after completing the PhD (I did just this), but you will most definitely be on the hook for tuition unless you are such a rock star that you get a free ride somewhere.

Of course! This particular department (because of its unique medical anthropology track) has an option where you can choose to apply internally for the funded MD or RN. Getting this dual degree green light is another story, but it is at least a possibility. I'd have to do my pre-reqs obviously, but since it has been done by a handful of former students it is at least possible.