Dropping MD for PhD

[flyingillini]

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Hey guys,

Right now I'm a Junior at the UofI in premedicine. All my life my family and parents have encouraged me to go the MD route. Yet, lately I have been quite discouraged when thinking about my future as a doctor. My feelings are more complex than I can describe, but basically last summer I conducted breast cancer research at Wash U and I greatly enjoyed my experience, probably because it was one of the hardest jobs that I have ever undertaken, and it yielded great results. I contributed something to science and I honestly enjoyed it. And I honestly can not see myself doing anything but research in the future. It is nothing against clinicians, but I just do not want to be one at all. At the end of my research term last summer I gave a presentation, and many people said that I did it well, including a number of famous scientists. Those things encouraged me even more to go into research. I think it is pretty clear that the best choice for me is to go into biomedical research (I love that term). Now my question is; how do I break it to my family that I am going into research with no intention on getting a MD?

 

[peepers]

Hey guys,

Right now I'm a Junior at the UofI in premedicine. All my life my family and parents have encouraged me to go the MD route. Yet, lately I have been quite discouraged when thinking about my future as a doctor. My feelings are more complex than I can describe, but basically last summer I conducted breast cancer research at Wash U and I greatly enjoyed my experience, probably because it was one of the hardest jobs that I have ever undertaken, and it yielded great results. I contributed something to science and I honestly enjoyed it. And I honestly can not see myself doing anything but research in the future. It is nothing against clinicians, but I just do not want to be one at all. At the end of my research term last summer I gave a presentation, and many people said that I did it well, including a number of famous scientists. Those things encouraged me even more to go into research. I think it is pretty clear that the best choice for me is to go into biomedical research (I love that term). Now my question is; how do I break it to my family that I am going into research with no intention on getting a MD?

Flyingillini,

It sounds like you found your passion. I would say telling your family about your decision is a real step towards independence. Tell them that you've made an important decision and lay out the reasons why you want to go into research. Yeah, you're likely to catch some heat from them, but if you sincerely feel strong about research you'll put up with their bickering for some time. Tell them that you're not going to be a miserable disgruntled docter so that they can brag about how their kid is an MD. The key is to show them how convinced you are about research. It's great that you came to this realization now as oppose to finding out in med school.

I wish you the best of luck, 👍

Peep Show

 

[Friendly]

Flyingillini, your honesty is very encouraging. Sometime our 'path' chooses us rather than us than the other way around. I am also trained in research and I can honestly say that those who make the biggest difference are people like you - they just have a hunger for the knowledge that surpasses temporary setbacks and difficulties. You sound like a dedicated, bright individual with outstanding research potential. If you follow your heart, you will not go wrong. Aim high. Try to work with the best in your chosen field.

 

[EvoDevo]

Hi FL:

If you do what you want to do in life then you'll always have a deep-down satisfaction, a happiness. I have met so many physicians in research who, when asked why they were working in a lab now, replied that they'd only done medicine because "it was expected" of them.

Don't be one of those people. If research really is your passion, then you will be happy following that dream. If you still want to do medicine because it answers some need within you, then by all means do so. But NEVER EVER EVER choose a career simply to please other people. You'll end up resenting them and yourself.

Peace.

 

[flyingillini]

Thanks for the good responses. I still have mixed feelings about not going into medicine. At this point I still could still apply for MSTP programs. But getting the MD is the part that I honestly do not like. I understand where my family is coming from in that they would want me to have a comfortable life as a doctor. That is quite understandable, and it makes sense. I still have yet to come to a final decision about whether or not I'd like to get the MD, but I realize that I have to make the decision soon, so I'm just going to pray about it and hope I am guided in the right direction for myself. But I know one thing; that the decision will not be based upon any other person than myself, because like evodevo said, if you are not true to your own desires you will be miserable. Thank you guys for your input.

 

[Friendly]

One last thing: I have a friend who went to medical school only because his parents insisted that this was the only way to make a comfortable living. Now he's a PGY2 resident in opthalmology, he hates medicine, he has little time for family and friends, and he's in > $100, 000 worth of debt. Unless this is what you really want to do, it's probably not worth the risk. Follow your heart.

FYI, don't let anyone tell you you cannot make money as a Ph.D. because you totally can. Also, if you're still interested in serving via medicine, you can do a 1-2 year post-doc fellowship in a clinical specialty like clinical biochemistry, medical microbiology, or diagnostic immunology; you can become boeard certified in that specialty (PM me for more info.), you will be paid as much as an M.D., AND you can still do your research! This is the path I chose and, although I'm still considering other options (I always do), I never regretted my initial decision. I have a feeling that you'll be just fine.

 

[austinlabrat]

Hey guys,

Right now I'm a Junior at the UofI in premedicine. All my life my family and parents have encouraged me to go the MD route. Yet, lately I have been quite discouraged when thinking about my future as a doctor. My feelings are more complex than I can describe, but basically last summer I conducted breast cancer research at Wash U and I greatly enjoyed my experience, probably because it was one of the hardest jobs that I have ever undertaken, and it yielded great results. I contributed something to science and I honestly enjoyed it. And I honestly can not see myself doing anything but research in the future. It is nothing against clinicians, but I just do not want to be one at all. At the end of my research term last summer I gave a presentation, and many people said that I did it well, including a number of famous scientists. Those things encouraged me even more to go into research. I think it is pretty clear that the best choice for me is to go into biomedical research (I love that term). Now my question is; how do I break it to my family that I am going into research with no intention on getting a MD?

One piece of advice...follow your heart...the rest will follow thereafter.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Just saw this thread in passing and it's a good one. If I may chime in, I commend you for finding SOMETHING that makes you passionate and happy. There are so many in the world who do not have the privilege to truly enjoy their work.

Your issue was similar to what I experienced...um...8 years ago when I was a junior in college starting the application process (just having finished MSTP training now). My parents were never overtly pressuring me to go to medical school; however, they were happy when I decided to get the MD. See, my parents are Asian. And Asian parents like to talk to other Asian parents and brag about their children. If I had gone the PhD-only route (which I was highly considering at that time after realizing that I absolutely LOVE research and my being premed was based only on a sense of idealism and no real concrete experience), my parents would still have been loving and supportive. But I'm sure there would've been the "What if?" or "You could've" or "Life would be easier with the MD" kinda talk down the line. This I know because I have contemplated quitting the MD portion several (OK, many times) during the last 7 years of my life.

Having completed my training now, I just wanted to throw out some of my thoughts and reflections out to ya. By no means are these comments to be construed as me judging you in any negative way for considering to not pursue MD training.

Why did I endure and finish the MD training?
(1) I thought studying disease was really really cool. Hence, I thought the first two years of med school was OK. It was grueling since there is so much to learn but the knowledge gained made it satisfying. I believe that having an MD background will allow a researcher to think more broadly and make more connections when thinking of research projects that have clinical underpinnings. I certainly appreciate this now.
(2) I am told by all the physician-scientists with whom I've talked that having an MD really opens up many more doors for you now. There are lots and lots of NIH grants that are given to people with MDs; and due to the relative dearth of physician-scientists, this source is relatively untapped. Hence, having an MD attached to your name will make it easier to obtain funding.

That having being said, one needs to think hard about going to med school...REAL HARD. Med school is not an easy proposition. It is trying at times and often frustrating. You will be taking lots and lots of tests. You will be worked to death. You will sit in the hospital twittling your thumbs at 4 am thinking, "What the hell am I doing here?" (yes, I am one of those who hated the clinical phase of med school). Then after all that crap, you have to find a residency field (thank god I found pathology or I'd be applying to postdocs now as I speak).

Now, the question you may want to ask yourself is "Is all this med school crap really worth it to gain the above benefits of getting an MD?" Everyone will come up with different answers. And if the answer for you is an emphatic "Hell NO!", then I commend you for being honest with yourself and following your true passions for research. The benefits of the MD clearly are there; however, if you are passionate about just doing research, you will do it well and you will succeed.