Anyone doing Med after getting PharmD?

[Krismeese]

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Hi Guys,

Thanks for posting all of the real great stories on this site. It is very inspiring to see people really finding what they want to do.

I am still trying to figure that out, but see if there is precedent for plan I am currently considering, even though what does precedent really matter anyways 🙂

I am currently studying pharmacy (previously having earned a BS in engineering, and working for a while in industry finding out that healthcare is really where I want to be, much more satisfying than the corperate world). I do not see myself being extremely happy working in a retail/staff type setting, which seems to be a lot of the focus, and I am beginning to wonder if I am aiming to fill the role of a physician in the role of a pharmacist. Although I think having a pharmacy background could really help for a physician.

I know I could handle it academically, and I find Pathology and stuff fascinating. My only concern is procedural type things. How do you know if you have a physical aptitude for performing all of the various medical procedures? Would there be time during med school to work part time as a pharmacist to minimize the amount of debt for an extra four years?

Hell, maybe I will love my rotatations, I am just trying to think of all options ahead of time, so I do not end up in the situation I did during/after undergrad of feeling lost like I was not going anywhere or making any progress.

Good luck guys. Back to studying I go.

 

[*Roxie*]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for posting all of the real great stories on this site. It is very inspiring to see people really finding what they want to do.

I am still trying to figure that out, but see if there is precedent for plan I am currently considering, even though what does precedent really matter anyways 🙂

I am currently studying pharmacy (previously having earned a BS in engineering, and working for a while in industry finding out that healthcare is really where I want to be, much more satisfying than the corperate world). I do not see myself being extremely happy working in a retail/staff type setting, which seems to be a lot of the focus, and I am beginning to wonder if I am aiming to fill the role of a physician in the role of a pharmacist. Although I think having a pharmacy background could really help for a physician.

I know I could handle it academically, and I find Pathology and stuff fascinating. My only concern is procedural type things. How do you know if you have a physical aptitude for performing all of the various medical procedures? Would there be time during med school to work part time as a pharmacist to minimize the amount of debt for an extra four years?

Hell, maybe I will love my rotatations, I am just trying to think of all options ahead of time, so I do not end up in the situation I did during/after undergrad of feeling lost like I was not going anywhere or making any progress.

Good luck guys. Back to studying I go.

Not sure if this helps, but one of the docs I work with was a Pharm. D. first and then went to med school. As far as aptitude for procedures, I can't speak for him, but I find him to be very competent (he works in an ER).

Good luck

 

[jumboolia]

I'm a current Pharm> D student..(first year) and I've been having those thoughts too..and am attempting to get the best possible GPA in pharmacy school and obtain physician/patient interaction so that I can apply my 4th year...however, had I confidently come to this realization earlier...I would have finished the 4 year bachelors and applied to med school. (i am in the 2+4 program) anyhow, you are free to do pursue whatever you wish, however, I have heard a lot of negative feedback about applying to med or any other profession if you've gone to school for a diff health profession. An adivosr told me that its an ethically sensitive decision adn that you're adding to teh shortage of pharmacists, and a bunch of other stuff basically saying that there would be major hurdles to over come. Using pharmacy as a stepping stone to med school from what I've gathered (asking various people including advisors, and those that have gone that route) is looked down upon.
Best of luck.

 

[sirdude]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for posting all of the real great stories on this site. It is very inspiring to see people really finding what they want to do.

I am still trying to figure that out, but see if there is precedent for plan I am currently considering, even though what does precedent really matter anyways 🙂

I am currently studying pharmacy (previously having earned a BS in engineering, and working for a while in industry finding out that healthcare is really where I want to be, much more satisfying than the corperate world). I do not see myself being extremely happy working in a retail/staff type setting, which seems to be a lot of the focus, and I am beginning to wonder if I am aiming to fill the role of a physician in the role of a pharmacist. Although I think having a pharmacy background could really help for a physician.

I know I could handle it academically, and I find Pathology and stuff fascinating. My only concern is procedural type things. How do you know if you have a physical aptitude for performing all of the various medical procedures? Would there be time during med school to work part time as a pharmacist to minimize the amount of debt for an extra four years?

Hell, maybe I will love my rotatations, I am just trying to think of all options ahead of time, so I do not end up in the situation I did during/after undergrad of feeling lost like I was not going anywhere or making any progress.

Good luck guys. Back to studying I go.

Hey all, I'm glad to see more Pharm D's come out of the woodwork. I just want to say that going pharmacy to medicine isn't all that wreckless of an idea. I have come across a bit of skepticism (most from classmates) from other people about doing the switch but I have noticed something lately. I have started to become much more confident about my decision to do the switch and lately everyone I have talked to about it has been much more respectable to the idea. I just want talk about a few things here. I do think you may have some time to do part-time work in Med school but it all depends on how good of a studier you are and how much time you want to give up doing other things, like seeing family and partying. Time is the only limited thing in life and it comes limited. Now doing rotations and residency is probably a differant story when you haveing to do 12 - 24 hour shifts each week. Also remember that reducing dept should not be a priority when you are in school because you should be able to more than pay it off when you get out. About being able to do procedures the best thing you will be able to do is shadow some doctors, maybe even some surgeries, and talk to people about everything (such as any concerns you may have).

 

[sirdude]

double post

 

[NonTradMed]

I'm an MS1 and there are two girls in our class were who PharmDs before. I was a software engineer and we have a few more engineers in our class as well, so your story isn't all that unusual (except in the engineering --> PharmD -->MD path which is probably rare).

I'm not worried about doing the procedure type of works and I have not heard anyone is worried either and since med school don't test on your manual dexterity, I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's not going to be a problem.

I suggest you get some clinical experience and shadow some doctors to show the adcoms that you have researched the physician position and are serious about it. Med school adcoms will ask you why you decided to make a switch from one health care field to another so be prepared to give a good answer and show proof that it was not a foolhardy decision.

As for part time work, I don't know anyone who works in med school but there are people on this forum who say they do so I guess they exist. However, med school is pretty intensive and it isn't considered worth your time and effort to work since you won't be able to pay off too much debt and you could burn yourself out by trying to squeeze in working while going through the program. The first two years requires a lot of intense studying, and the little free time you have, most people like to spend it relaxing and/or with friends and family. Unless you think you will bring in some serious cash working 5-10 hours/week and your school is really expensive, I would not suggest working, at least not for the first semester. See how med school fits your schedule before squeezing in work. Hope this all helps.

 

[J ROD]

I want both degrees so I plan on doing it if I get into med school.

You can work some if you cut class, which it appears that many med students do. I have a friend that is a M-2 and he goes less than half the time and he says he is one of the good ones that goes to class. When I visited, there was about 60% attendance that day.

I want to be a MD that uses the pharmacology (anes.). So the extra knowledge would be helpful.

My feelings are it is your life and do not let other's opinions of your life stop you from accomplishing your dreams or desires. Live your life for yourself.

 

[Critical Mass]

I want both degrees so I plan on doing it if I get into med school.

You can work some if you cut class, which it appears that many med students do. I have a friend that is a M-2 and he goes less than half the time and he says he is one of the good ones that goes to class. When I visited, there was about 60% attendance that day.

I want to be a MD that uses the pharmacology (anes.). So the extra knowledge would be helpful.

Helpful? I would have thought so as a premedical student, but not now that I have started med school. Either way, it wouldn't be worth the cost (time or money).

Take note of this warning: cutting class to work is an excellent way to draw the ire of your deans. True, class is not required, but if you make a commitment to be someplace else on the school's time, you are inviting trouble. I have nothing against working, but I don't have the marbles to do it during class. Most agree that the time taken away from studying risks impairment of a desired residency. While the majority of my class regularly skips lectures, most put the equivalent time into keeping their noses in the books or listening to the lectures in double speed.

The most successful anesthesiologist with strengths in both the gas and pharmacology will probably look like this:

Typical pre-med student, took out loans or got scholarships and dedicated full fire power to step one, worked hard in M3, did a little research and got stellar LOR's. By the end of residency, he/she knows more pharm than he/she ever wanted to know.

In short, there is nothing that you are going to learn in pharmacy school that you can't pick up in traditional medical training. Pharmacy may make you learn a lot of stuff not covered in medical school, but none of it is going to make you a better doctor.

If you want to be a pharmacist, on the other hand, get a PharmD. That degree track, however, is not constructed to be a pre-medical path.

 

[NonTradMed]

You can work some if you cut class, which it appears that many med students do. I have a friend that is a M-2 and he goes less than half the time and he says he is one of the good ones that goes to class. When I visited, there was about 60% attendance that day.

People at my school that skip class aren't skipping out on studying.

Many that don't come to class choose to spend that time listening to the lectures on double speed at home or studying the notes on their own. Some students find that they move faster/grasp the material better than if they do this instead of attending class.

Don't be fooled into thinking that a 60% attendance means 40% goes partying or working. Students are studying alot whether they're going to class or not. With some exceptions, most students do not find med school a 9-5 job.

As I stated before, med school is intense, in terms of the volume of information, the level of detail and the speed which everything is covered. It is not in your best interest to work if you can help it. At the very least, try a semester without working to see how you adjust to medical school. Most students that I know do not work, and those that do work for pay usually find something that contributes to their resume (student gov't, research etc). They are not flipping burgers for $8/hour.

 

[sirdude]

In short, there is nothing that you are going to learn in pharmacy school that you can't pick up in traditional medical training. Pharmacy may make you learn a lot of stuff not covered in medical school, but none of it is going to make you a better doctor.

Do you have any actual backing for this statement or are you just making up something to make yourself feel better?? I think the latter to be true...

 

[MrsMed]

My friend was initally a premed and obtained a BS in biology. However, he decided to go to Pharmacy school instead owing to family issues...
Now that he is in pharmacy school, (he is a P2)he absolutely hates it! He is considering dropping out and applying to medical school ( so instead of a P3 he would be a M1 if he gets in) ...is it ethical?
First of all, I am not sure if he will even get in, and I am encouraging him to finish PharmD before applying...what do you guys think?

 

[ladyflow]

A little background may help you help your friend who is in rx school. I wanted to major in pre-med in undergrad but because of $$ and other difficulties my folks (ONE who's an rph, PHD) recommended i pursue pharmacy for job security. I finished the 2 + 4 in 2004. Did a 1 year post graduate residency and worked as a clinical rph for 2 + years. I worked with md's all day! I helped MD's optimize med regimens and sometimes saw patients with them! I LOVED IT!!! This exposure trully made me realize how much I enjoyed working with patients directly.... So, I decided to go after my long lost dream of pursing an MD this past April. It's not because I hated it, but because I realized of other passions that could be better fullfilled as an MD. And, I don't want to be 50, WISHING i could've, should've done that!!!

Back to your question...WHY DOES YOUR FRIEND HATE PHARMACY SCHOOL SO MUCH... I studied with medical students and the rx school coarse load is just as intense. My concern for your friend is, will he/she like MEDICAL school? or THINK that he may like being an MD better? Having worked with MD's I saw that it was not easy. They work long hours and the profession is changing due to HMO insurance influences and all that other good stuff. One MD told me that she doesn't regret being a physician, but if she could do it all over again she would go to business school!!! I think it also depends on ONE'S specialty. She was an OB/GYN!!! high malpractice and not too mention, moms freak out with every little thing and have babys ALL hours of the day.


I agree, dropping out IS NOT A GOOD IDEA!!! not to mention, how will the admissions committee look at that. In my situation, I think of pharmacy as being my "safety net" because I know that I am taking a BIG RISK.

He/She needs to first do some "soul searching" to decide if MD is the way to go. If your friend really thinks they want to pursue medicine instead, they should get into med school FIRST then decide on finishing the pharm.d program. May be they should also talk to an MD school admission consultant. The consultants are sometimes MDs, who sit on admissions commitees so they can tell him/her how dropping out would look. They can be pricey. I talked to one before making my decision to know what my odds where. They are pretty thorough. If he can talk to a pre-med advisor that would also suffice.

hope this helps and wish your friend the best!!

 

[Senor.Frog]

We have at least two med students that started med school after getting their pharmD. I know that one of the two worked throughout the first 2 years of school and I think he did fine. The other student, whom I know pretty well has done well also academically but he didn't work. So, its definately possible to work while in school. True the work in med school is challenging but not impossible. Of note, neither of them made junior AOA and I don't know how they did on their boards but they both passed (ie, I see them around in 3rd year rotations). Thus PharmD does not automatically equate to med school "stellar" success.

So, to answer the OP, yes it does happen and it is definately possible. I also agree to previous posts that it is NOT a good idea to drop out of pharm school, rather finish it and have something to show for it at the end. When your on your interviews and they ask you why medicine, you can always say something to the effect that you always had burning desire for medicine but decided to complete pharm school because it would help you become a more competent, well educated physician. (ie, its more of a red flag if you quit than if you have a change of heart to fulfill a lifelong passion)

Good Luck!