Have you considered....

[MexicanDr]

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Have you guys ever considered PA school? I know this is a pre-allo forum but still wanted to throw in the question. A few months ago I was considered a pre-PA student, considering the many master level PA programs around the nation.

Something that I liked about the PA profession is the flexibility they have from moving to one specialty to another (fp to em to surg to ortho etc) that md/dos don't really have unless they do another residency or combined one.

Another thing was the time, considering it takes less time to be practicing compared to a physician. Also, the debt is another big thing to consider, especially if you wantto practice primary care.

What about the on call and expensive malpractice insurance? That is something a PA really doesn't haveto deal with...

BUT, I changed my mind and now I want to attend medical school. I don't want to feel limited on knwoledge when it comes to patient care, I want to have the last saying instead of second guessing my self and as a dr. For the last decision and ultimately them making it.

So, has any of you guys felt or given some of your time to this decisin making regarding PA vs MD/DO especially now with the health care program debate going on?

Eddie

 

[vman51]

def considered PA, and I think I could be happy with being a PA..I just know I'd be more happy as a practicing MD

 

[J ROD]

MD or bust. MD is King!!! 😀

 

[armybound]

I think everyone who's interested in medicine should at the very least consider NP, PA, and PharmD.

 

[loveoforganic]

I think everyone who's interested in medicine should at the very least consider NP, PA, and PharmD.

and dentistry

 

[Laryngophed]

I think everyone who's interested in medicine should at the very least consider NP, PA, and PharmD.

x2

I know several docs who have said "If I'd known what a PA does before I went to med school, I'd have different letters after my name."

That said, I've thought about all of those, but the material (the emphasis on the drugs and not the patients or diseases *yes, I recognize my ignorance with regard to PharmD*) turned me off to PharmD and the lack of autonomy for the other two. MD/DO all the way for me.

 

[rockaction]

The only thing I've considered other than an MD is a PhD. Above all else I want to be a scientist. I believe that the MD is the best route for me to take to be a medical scientist.

 

[Laryngophed]

The only thing I've considered other than an MD is a PhD. Above all else I want to be a scientist. I believe that the MD is the best route for me to take to be a medical scientist.

My experience in a grad program would lead me to believe that you can do any research you wanted with the PhD alone, provided we're talking about the basic sciences/translational research. That being said, if you feel the MD is the best route for you, by all means, be the best damn medical scientist you can.