Can doctors really do anything?

[bb8]

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The common assumption around these neck of the woods are that if you can become a physician, you are smart and hardworking enough to become anything you desire, and so physicians pursing medicine are performing a noble sacrifice.

However, I'd like to challenge that assumption. Sure, I loved physics and can probably become a physicist if I worked hard enough, or a biochemist because it is one of my natural strengths, but I probably wouldn't be able to work in a field outside of science, such as finance because it probably won't come to me as easily. Who says that someone who scores a 95% percentile on the MCAT can score a 95% percentile on the LSAT? Its funny how most of us on here think that though.

I'm not trying to undermine physician's intelligence, conscientiousness, or work ethic, but I want to rub against the grain to hear what you all think.

EDIT: Do you really think those that have the qualities of physicians can succeed (make more money, be more respected, etc..) in another field if they decided not to do medicine?

 

[jtd2081]

What are you asking/looking for in an answer??

 

[bb8]

What are you asking/looking for in an answer??

Just edited my post for a clearer question!

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

Doctors have accomplished something that most people can't, or at least don't have the desire to do. But it doesn't mean they just innately learn things faster or easier than anyone else. You need some common sense but hard work and school will take you where you need to go regardless of your profession.

They probably aren't more apt to be better investors, pilots, or businessmen than anyone else with the proper/equivalent amount of training.

 

[eteshoe]

The common assumption around these neck of the woods are that if you can become a physician, you are smart and hardworking enough to become anything you desire, and so physicians pursing medicine are performing a noble sacrifice.

However, I'd like to challenge that assumption. Sure, I loved physics and can probably become a physicist if I worked hard enough, or a biochemist because it is one of my natural strengths, but I probably wouldn't be able to work in a field outside of science, such as finance because it probably won't come to me as easily. Who says that someone who scores a 95% percentile on the MCAT can score a 95% percentile on the LSAT? Its funny how most of us on here think that though.

I'm not trying to undermine physician's intelligence, conscientiousness, or work ethic, but I want to rub against the grain to hear what you all think.

EDIT: Do you really think those that have the qualities of physicians can succeed (make more money, be more respected, etc..) in another field if they decided not to do medicine?

Yes. It's called being adaptable.

 

[Horse Apiece]

I think your answer lies in theories of general intelligence, I would look that up instead of hoping for more than sarcasm here, but generally intelligence at our age range is very fluid. So yes, maybe changing to something in contrast to the sciences would be difficult at first, but after some time an intelligent person would excel given the connections/social skills/right place and time. All of which also apply to the field of medicine, since there are all host of working with others in labs, making a good impression on rotations, and the interviews from here on out. Not to mention whether the field you want to go into is in high demand at that time.

 

[Crayola227]

"I have many skills." - Xena, Warrior Princess

 

[DingoPingo]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Jeong

Yes. Jokes aside, I believe people who can go through the obstacles necessary to become a physician have the foundation and life experiences necessary to excel at many other occupations.

I am certain many people who become doctors decide to change their occupation afterwards, to find themselves at an advantage.

Do I think all doctors are good people sacrificing for others? Hell no.

 

[bananafish94]

I would assuredly not succeed as a physicist, both because I am passionately uninterested in it and I don't consider myself nearly smart enough to do it.

 

[Psai]

Doctors are excellent at many things because they are intelligent, driven and hard working, not to mention incredibly handsome

 

[doctorleospaceman]

Doctors are excellent at many things because they are intelligent, driven and hard working, not to mention incredibly handsome

I'm only handsome. WAMC of getting into a medical school?

 

[Psai]

I'm only handsome. WAMC of getting into a medical school?

Judging by your picture and username I'd say 85%

 

[Turkishking]

"I have many skills." - Xena, Warrior Princess

Same

 

[Mansamusa]

"Comes as easily" is kind of a myth. People have some skills that come naturally, but a lot has to do with drive and general interest. You may not do well in finance just because you don't care about it.

If you put in the amount of time needed for med school into another field, you will do well.

 

[Goro]

Getting bored again, Batman?


My students are very smart, but that doesn't mean they can code their way into a job at Google, research their way into a lab at NIH, nor throw a 95 MPH fast ball.

Don't confused being smart with being good at something. I wouldn't trust my clinician colleagues to change my car's fuel pump.

The common assumption around these neck of the woods are that if you can become a physician, you are smart and hardworking enough to become anything you desire, and so physicians pursing medicine are performing a noble sacrifice.

However, I'd like to challenge that assumption. Sure, I loved physics and can probably become a physicist if I worked hard enough, or a biochemist because it is one of my natural strengths, but I probably wouldn't be able to work in a field outside of science, such as finance because it probably won't come to me as easily. Who says that someone who scores a 95% percentile on the MCAT can score a 95% percentile on the LSAT? Its funny how most of us on here think that though.

I'm not trying to undermine physician's intelligence, conscientiousness, or work ethic, but I want to rub against the grain to hear what you all think.

EDIT: Do you really think those that have the qualities of physicians can succeed (make more money, be more respected, etc..) in another field if they decided not to do medicine?

 

[md-2020]

"I have many skills." - Xena, Warrior Princess

"I have a very specific set of skills..." - Brian Mills, Bad Father

 

[Lee Ik-jun MD]

there has been a growing number of physicians suffering from burn out, that they decide to explore other fields.
and most of them are able to adapt.
so to answer your question, YES.

 

[Dr Tony T. Chopper]

It's easy to fall into the "physician master race" mentality that everyone just loves to loathe.

 

[Law2Doc]

The common assumption around these neck of the woods are that if you can become a physician, you are smart and hardworking enough to become anything you desire, and so physicians pursing medicine are performing a noble sacrifice.

However, I'd like to challenge that assumption. Sure, I loved physics and can probably become a physicist if I worked hard enough, or a biochemist because it is one of my natural strengths, but I probably wouldn't be able to work in a field outside of science, such as finance because it probably won't come to me as easily. Who says that someone who scores a 95% percentile on the MCAT can score a 95% percentile on the LSAT? Its funny how most of us on here think that though.

I'm not trying to undermine physician's intelligence, conscientiousness, or work ethic, but I want to rub against the grain to hear what you all think.

EDIT: Do you really think those that have the qualities of physicians can succeed (make more money, be more respected, etc..) in another field if they decided not to do medicine?

Having done well in two careers now, I would argue that a lot of people sell themselves short, often with the goal of justifying the road taken or as an excuse not to research other options. In most jobs if you are a hard worker and apply yourself and have a good head on your shoulders you'll do better than you think.

Law, finance, business aren't skills you are born with. It's not like being an athlete or model where you need to be born with a certain skillset. You work hard and develop these. Atul Gawande wrote a New Yorker article a decade ago where he posited that someone who was smart enough to get into med school and who put forth the same effort that doctors do in med school and residency, they would go very far in every professional field. I would tend to agree, having somewhat walked that walk.

 

[jqueb29]

It varies. Some people are more scientific-minded and would have a hard time pursuing a high-level numbers oriented job (engineering, finance etc.). But I would say most of us are capable of doing anything mentally-related. I have no desire to learn something like computer coding, but if I attacked it with the same ferocity I have handled the study of medicine, then yeah I could be a talented coder. It definitely doesn't apply to everybody, but most of us are smart enough and, more importantly, dedicated enough that yes, we can do anything.

 

[Law2Doc]

It varies. Some people are more scientific-minded and would have a hard time pursuing a high-level numbers oriented job (engineering, finance etc.). ..

In my experience most of the time that people claim they are "numbers oriented", or alternatively "bad with numbers" it's more a cop out than any underlying pathology. If you don't want or like to do something this is just an easy way to let yourself off the hook without trying. Most of us are very smart and can get better at things like this if we apply ourselves with a vengeance.

 

[Weirdy]

"Can doctors really do anything?"

I think so.

05/01/2014 When You Live Your Whole Life In A Prison Freedom Can Be So Dull. - Jaden Smith

I guess not man.....I don't know anymore. :/

 

[frosted_flake]

I would assuredly not succeed as a physicist, both because I am passionately uninterested in it and I don't consider myself nearly smart enough to do it.

Minus another for physics! YES! 👍

 

[musicalfeet]

"Comes as easily" is kind of a myth. People have some skills that come naturally, but a lot has to do with drive and general interest. You may not do well in finance just because you don't care about it.

If you put in the amount of time needed for med school into another field, you will do well.

This is terrible, but I'm trying to read/understand the whitecoatinvestor blog and my god is it boring (but useful). I'm pretty sure I'd burn out really quickly in something finance-y.

 

[darkjedi]

Maybe not the question you were asking, but simply being a physician can confer a lot of flexibility in your career. You can find physicians in a surprisingly large number of industries.

You can be an astronaut, or flight surgeon.
You can be an officer in the armed forces, or embed yourself with local police SWAT.
There are also physicians that sit on company boards, consult for VC firms, investment banks, pharma, tech/software.
There are a bunch of doctors that work in all forms of media from advising or working on TV shows, movies, to games.
Several congressmen and some of the presidential candidates were physicians.

There aren't many professions that allow you those kind of opportunities over such a wide set of fields.