Downsides to being a physician?

[voxveritatisetlucis]

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As some may already know, I was fortunate enough to have tremendous success in the 2018 cycle (4 acceptances before I had to start withdrawing my applications). Due to some poor choices, I lost all of these acceptances.

Fast forward to this cycle, I have received zero interviews versus the 10+ that I had in 2018, despite a better overall application if the poor choice is overlooked. The depression associated with realizing my dream only to have it ripped away is becoming worse as the cycle progresses. I’m eating less, unmotivated for work, thinking about quitting my job, wanting to sleep whenever possible. Life just doesn’t really seem worth it if I can’t become a doctor.

With that being said, perhaps it would be helpful to hear some downsides to a career in medicine so that I can reevaluate my maladaptive thought patterns. I know that automation and the cannibalization of private practice has made certain aspects of medicine less desirable. If anybody has insight into this or other downsides to becoming a physician, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[KnightDoc]

With all due respect, this is VERY unhealthy on multiple fronts. First of all, as you have been repeatedly told, it is extremely early in the cycle, and it is beyond unreasonable for you to expect to be at the front of the line given your self-reported baggage. Even though you have been told this repeatedly, you still post as though the possibility hadn't even occurred to you.

More strikingly, you come onto the Student Doctor Network and ask people to crap all over the profession in order to make yourself feel better about possibly being excluded from it due to your self inflicted wounds. Why even go there? If you can't be a doctor, you need to focus on what is awesome about your alternatives. Nothing needs to suck about being a doctor, and coming to the doctor forum to ask doctors to crap all over their lives to make yourself feel better about your situation is selfish and rude.

Sure, there are negatives to just about everything in life, medicine included. It's hard work, long hours, and, as you are discovering, difficult to break into. So what? It's a calling to many. It's relatively interesting work. It's valued by society. It's prestigious and well compensated.

It sucks that you took your eye off the ball and fell into something that might block your path. Or not. It's still early. But honestly, if you need to hear some people s#!t all over medicine to make yourself feel better, you really should find someplace other than SDN to do it. JMHO.

 

[Angus Avagadro]

A couple things.
1. Get help for any emotional or psycho/social issue you may be dealing with. I'm sorry you are going through all of this.
2. Own your prior decisions for the good or the bad.
3. Once you own these decisions, recognize they are in the past and unchangeable.
4. Focus on your goals, and develop a plan, with advisors, to achieve them.
5. Understand the game in every aspect, and play well.
Good luck and best wishes!

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

eh by its very nature, being depressed about not being able to pursue a profession implies that one inherently values the profession.

this is true a priori.

this is a question I also ask on every job interview “what are the downsides about working at/in xxxx.” I meant no disrespect

 

[TragicalDrFaust]

eh by its very nature, being depressed about not being able to pursue a profession implies that one inherently values the profession.

this is true a priori.

this is a question I also ask on every job interview “what are the downsides about working at/in xxxx.” I meant no disrespect

As someone who has a long and storied career of mental health struggles, please take it from me that this line of thinking is not going to help you feel good or get to where you want to be. There are ways to feel better. Please consider investigating them. Look for people who've experienced what you're going though and come out ok. You could talk to a mentor, a leader in a community that you value, a therapist, social worker or even a "life coach".

 

[doomer_md]

Midlevels terk err jerbs

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

From people that I have talked to, elevated capital requirements associated with technological advances increase barriers to entry (Porter’s five forces) such that some day most physicans will be directly or indirectly beholden to PE firms like BX, Carlyle, Apollo etc.
These firms are already buying up hospital systems and pressuring lawmakers to grant NPS/PAs more autonomy in an effort to boost margins.

If the “industry” is taken to be physician services, there is an increasingly high threat of substitutes and an increase in buyer power if buyers are taken to be hospital systems.

Redirect Notice

 

[gyngyn]

Members who are having serious challenges with mental health are encouraged to seek help immediately.
Life is worth living without regard to the outcome of a medical application cycle.
Closing.