Is Medical School Really the Right Choice For Me?

[RummyMD]

Hey everybody my name's Jake, and I'm currently a sophomore at a small private undergraduate school in Indiana. Right now I'm studying as a biology major on the pre-med major along with a minor in nutrition that I was able to create with the help of science department. The big question I'm having to go over and over in my head is whether or not medical school is really what I should be going for or not. My ultimate goal is to become a family practice physician possibly with a subspecialty in sports medicine or, if there is one, something along the lines of integrating nutrition into my medical practice. I really feel like if I was able to understand nutrition down the finest detail, it would allow me to help give my patients the tools possible to help better their health and also help them prevent or cure the causes of lifestyle diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, etc. without extensive and often very expensive drugs. I just have the feeling that if I tried to help fix what's causing the disease itself, not just the disease, I could help my patients a lot more. I don't see why more doctors don't have their patients first help themselves with exercise and solid nutrition advice, and after attaining a good base of health, be able to help treat and cure ailments that aren't lifestyle related. Maybe I'm just a naive undergrad, but oh well.

My other big emphasis besides using nutrition a heck of a lot more in my treatments of patients, would be the utilization of exercise and sports in helping them as well. For the past 2 years I've followed an intense exercise program called CrossFit, which has tremendously improved my physical fitness and health from what I used to be. This in turn has boosted my confidence and allowed me to enjoy playing sports much more than I did in high school. For instance, right now I play rugby for our university's club team, who's ranked #9 in the nation for DIII, and I feel like rugby is a sport that could really flourish in the US even with football as the big kid on the block in regards to contact sports. I'd like to think that I would want to be involved in helping spread the sport around particularly at the high school level where I think that a TON of kids would pick up on it really quickly. Along with my love for exercise and sports, I sort of have a side love for singing and playing music. I sing a lot and am currently learning to play the acoustic guitar to complement the singing....Is it just me or do I feel like I have a lot of different interests going every which way? To which should I also ask the question, what do I do about all the different interests that I have that don't necessarily have to do directly with med school and the like?

What's happening with my schoolwork at the moment is that I am trying to dig myself out of the hole I created from freshman year (ended with a 2.93 GPA), where it mostly came from the C- in Calc I and C in Orgo which sunk my GPA which was all A's and B's. This year I'm finishing up Gen II and OrgoII along with Microbiology and Cell Bio, with 2 semesters of Physics in the summer as well. So far, I 'm understanding the Orgo II and Micro pretty well but it's always the tests that kill me. I'm seriously looking over my study habits and trying to overhaul everything so I can pull myself out of this hole I'm in. If my calculations are correct, I could end my sophomore year, this is including the summer classes, with a 3.4-3.5 if I pull all A's in my classes with maybe a B or two here or there.

Since middle school I've decided that I want to be a physician, and that's pretty much never changed all throughout high school. In high school I pretty much never studied and got a 3.85 GPA and that all came around to bite me in the butt freshman year. What I'm trying to figure out though is if becoming a physician is really conducive to what I want to do with my life. I don't know if I'd be able to handle the intense stress and never-ending daily workload of med school and residency combined, although if being a physician really is what will give me the ability to do what I want, I'll dang sure give it my all.

So after my rather scatterbrained and long rant, what do you guys think? Is it OK that I'm questioning whether or not med school is right for me, or is it just me worrying too much about the whole process? And if you think that med school isn't quite what best matches my goals, what are some suggestions that you have to look into career-wise?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[gettheleadout]

Hey everybody my name's Jake, and I'm currently a sophomore at a small private undergraduate school in Indiana. Right now I'm studying as a biology major on the pre-med major along with a minor in nutrition that I was able to create with the help of science department. The big question I'm having to go over and over in my head is whether or not medical school is really what I should be going for or not. My ultimate goal is to become a family practice physician possibly with a subspecialty in sports medicine or, if there is one, something along the lines of integrating nutrition into my medical practice. I really feel like if I was able to understand nutrition down the finest detail, it would allow me to help give my patients the tools possible to help better their health and also help them prevent or cure the causes of lifestyle diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, etc. without extensive and often very expensive drugs. I just have the feeling that if I tried to help fix what's causing the disease itself, not just the disease, I could help my patients a lot more. I don't see why more doctors don't have their patients first help themselves with exercise and solid nutrition advice, and after attaining a good base of health, be able to help treat and cure ailments that aren't lifestyle related. Maybe I'm just a naive undergrad, but oh well.

Because people refuse to change their lifestyles. You think physicians don't offer advice and strongly recommend lifestyle changes to patients? Nobody listens, that's the problem.

 

[RummyMD]

Then why not change from a more advice-centered talk with the patient to a more scientific knowledge base where the doctor actually prescribes the patient to undergo changes in diet and exercise? I mean, if the doctor was more knowledgeable about diet and exercise in general, whether through med school or by self-education, wouldn't it benefit the patients that much more?

 

[sector9]

Then why not change from a more advice-centered talk with the patient to a more scientific knowledge base where the doctor actually prescribes the patient to undergo changes in diet and exercise? I mean, if the doctor was more knowledgeable about diet and exercise in general, whether through med school or by self-education, wouldn't it benefit the patients that much more?

You need to shadow some PCPs and realize how often they try to get patients to do what you suggest.

Spoiler: It often doesn't work

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

tl;dr
The only person who can answer that question is....
guess...
YOURSELF!

 

[RummyMD]

Something else that I've been thinking of is the fact that going to medical school would mean pretty much giving up all sense of a social life or chance to live a little in my 20s which seem to be the time when a lot of people start families or experience new and exciting things while still having a career and I don't know how I could think about continuing school until my 30s and just skipping that entire decade along hauling that Mt. Everest sized pile of debt and school loans with me. It's not for the fact that I wouldn't want to work hard during that time period, but why shouldn't I be able to spend some time to enjoy my life when I'm still young and able to do a lot?

 

[mikejm11]

Obviously it feels good to vent, especially when you have highly educated (or so we hope) pre meds willing to respond, but this is one of those questions you can only answer yourself. Medical school is tough, but it is possible to have a social life, get married, and yes start a family. Will doing that be easy? Absolutely not.

 

[theseeker4]

Hey everybody my name's Jake, and I'm currently a sophomore at a small private undergraduate school in Indiana. Right now I'm studying as a biology major on the pre-med major along with a minor in nutrition that I was able to create with the help of science department. The big question I'm having to go over and over in my head is whether or not medical school is really what I should be going for or not. My ultimate goal is to become a family practice physician possibly with a subspecialty in sports medicine or, if there is one, something along the lines of integrating nutrition into my medical practice. I really feel like if I was able to understand nutrition down the finest detail, it would allow me to help give my patients the tools possible to help better their health and also help them prevent or cure the causes of lifestyle diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, etc. without extensive and often very expensive drugs. I just have the feeling that if I tried to help fix what's causing the disease itself, not just the disease, I could help my patients a lot more. I don't see why more doctors don't have their patients first help themselves with exercise and solid nutrition advice, and after attaining a good base of health, be able to help treat and cure ailments that aren't lifestyle related. Maybe I'm just a naive undergrad, but oh well.

Non-compliant patients are the reason your statement seems naive. Trust me, you did not stumble on some great, never-before-conceived idea to prevent diseases through good lifestyles instead of using drugs after the fact. It has been thought of before, lol. Many patients, however, would rather eat their burgers and fries, smoke tobacco and crack, shoot up, drink every day, etc. rather than take care of their health. Many would rather keep their iPhone plan than give it up to afford their diabetes or blood pressure copay. You will be sorely disappointed if you believe you will be able to change the lifestyle of most of your patients simply by explaining to them the risks and benefits. Not that you would never get through to any, but it will be a small minority. Good luck on deciding!

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Non-compliant patients are the reason your statement seems naive. Trust me, you did not stumble on some great, never-before-conceived idea to prevent diseases through good lifestyles instead of using drugs after the fact. It has been thought of before, lol. Many patients, however, would rather eat their burgers and fries, smoke tobacco and crack, shoot up, drink every day, etc. rather than take care of their health. Many would rather keep their iPhone plan than give it up to afford their diabetes or blood pressure copay. You will be sorely disappointed if you believe you will be able to change the lifestyle of most of your patients simply by explaining to them the risks and benefits. Not that you would never get through to any, but it will be a small minority. Good luck on deciding!

+1. OP- people don't care. There isn't a single person in the nation that isn't aware that nutrition is important. Just knowing this, you would think people want to learn how important. But they don't. That is why a common American dinner is a 16 oz steak and a Coke.

 

[Morsetlis]

I don't think medicine is right for you.

"Nutrition" isn't even taught as a class in medical school.

There is, however, the PM&R option if you want to work for sports teams and treat sports-related injuries.

However, you don't look like the science type, and medicine is like to be too hard (or too annoying) for you. There *is* a CrossFit club in Grenada... I'll tell you in two years whether the medical student that started the club is still here 🙂

 

[theseeker4]

+1. OP- people don't care. There isn't a single person in the nation that isn't aware that nutrition is important. Just knowing this, you would think people want to learn how important. But they don't. That is why a common American dinner is a 16 oz steak and a Coke.

Don't forget the fries on the side, plus the chili or dressing-smothered salad. And the deep-fried breaded onions or the cheese and bacon smothered, sour creamed dipped potato skins as an appetizer. Hell, a 16oz steak and a Coke alone would be healthy compared to a lot of meals out there.

 

[RummyMD]

Sorry if I don't know a lot of the acronyms used on this forum to start with, but what exactly does PM&R stand for?

 

[QuizzicalApe]

I don't think medicine is right for you.

"Nutrition" isn't even taught as a class in medical school.

There is, however, the PM&R option if you want to work for sports teams and treat sports-related injuries.

However, you don't look like the science type, and medicine is like to be too hard (or too annoying) for you. There *is* a CrossFit club in Grenada... I'll tell you in two years whether the medical student that started the club is still here 🙂

I had a nutrition class. :/

 

[lolcat]

Sorry if I don't know a lot of the acronyms used on this forum to start with, but what exactly does PM&R stand for?

Physical medicine & rehabilitation

There's a section for it here at SDN, maybe you can find more info there?

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=46

 

[willen101383]

I had a nutrition class. :/

I had a decent bit of nutrition too...but still...is there really enough time to integrate heavy nutrition into the med school curriculum? Sadly nope!

 

[gettheleadout]

I had a decent bit of nutrition too...but still...is there really enough time to integrate heavy nutrition into the med school curriculum? Sadly nope!

Isn't this why we have nutritionists for physicians to work with in managing care of people with diet issues?

 

[wololololololo]

There's no reason to put down the Baconators when you have Statins and ACE inhibitors.

 

[Buttermellow]

Something else that I've been thinking of is the fact that going to medical school would mean pretty much giving up all sense of a social life or chance to live a little in my 20s which seem to be the time when a lot of people start families or experience new and exciting things while still having a career and I don't know how I could think about continuing school until my 30s and just skipping that entire decade along hauling that Mt. Everest sized pile of debt and school loans with me. It's not for the fact that I wouldn't want to work hard during that time period, but why shouldn't I be able to spend some time to enjoy my life when I'm still young and able to do a lot?

I'm not a med student, so I can't say this from experience, but I don't think med school and residency is like a black whole that sucks the life out of your 20's. You're not "missing" a decade, you're getting the chance to do things you are passionate about and gain knowledge in areas that interest you. Yes, you will be busy and stressed, but you can still have some sort of social life. People even get married/start families while in med school. Life can still be enjoyable!

 

[GetThePointe77]

I may be the only one but I rather feel as if the OP is trying to talk HIMSELF out of medicine...Two thoughts here. Just because you've told yourself since middle school (or whenever) and probably told everyone around you that you are going to be a doctor doesnt mean that there is anything wrong with you if you dont stick to that. Also, you probably need to have a little more clinical/shadowing experience to see what life is like as a real doctor to be able to decide if this is the right path for you.
ALSO have you really hung out with doctors - they arent perfect there are plenty that are overweight, choose the deserts in the cafeteria, and even smoke, and they are the first people to know that these habits arent good - its not so easy to change YOURSELF, even less so your patients. Its hard enough to get patients to be complaint with antibiotics, more or less things requiring a lot more self control and will power like diet and exercise. I completely agree (as a little bit of a believer in what you seem to agree with myself) that these are noble aims, they just arent very realistic unfortunately.

 

[zamzee]

This is a diary entry, not a post. OP, we can't answer this question for you. I suggest you do a lot more shadowing of physicians and see if you like it, or invest in a good journal with lots of pages and write out your feelings. I'm not trying to belittle you or anything, but it just sounds like you need to mull over all your feelings about this to get to the heart of what you really want. Go write it out, none of us can give you the answer to what YOU want.

 

[Jack is Back]

Then why not change from a more advice-centered talk with the patient to a more scientific knowledge base where the doctor actually prescribes the patient to undergo changes in diet and exercise? I mean, if the doctor was more knowledgeable about diet and exercise in general, whether through med school or by self-education, wouldn't it benefit the patients that much more?

lol,

patient: I'm crazy.
psychiatrist: Just eat better

patient: I just fractured my ilium and will likely bleed to death.
orthopedist: Just eat better

patient: I have an intestinal mass
G surgeon: Just eat better

patient: My water just broke.
OB/GYN: Just eat better

patient: I have stage 4 cancer
Onc: Just eat better

patient: zzzzzz (bleeding to death)
EM: wake up! and eat better.

patient: I'm deaf
ENT: Just eat better.

patient: I have tranposition of the great arteries
CT Surg: eat better.

 

[Jack is Back]

I'm not a med student, so I can't say this from experience, but I don't think med school and residency is like a black whole that sucks the life out of your 20's. You're not "missing" a decade, you're getting the chance to do things you are passionate about and gain knowledge in areas that interest you. Yes, you will be busy and stressed, but you can still have some sort of social life. People even get married/start families while in med school. Life can still be enjoyable!

Exactly. If you think you're putting life on hold to do medicine, don't do medicine. Enjoy the process or get out.

 

[Morsetlis]

lol,

patient: I'm crazy.
psychiatrist: Just eat better

patient: I just fractured my ilium and will likely bleed to death.
orthopedist: Just eat better

patient: I have an intestinal mass
G surgeon: Just eat better

patient: My water just broke.
OB/GYN: Just eat better

patient: I have stage 4 cancer
Onc: Just eat better

patient: zzzzzz (bleeding to death)
EM: wake up! and eat better.

patient: I'm deaf
ENT: Just eat better.

patient: I have tranposition of the great arteries
CT Surg: eat better.

Babies don't talk, dude.

 

[coyotelime]

I'm in London right now and the portion sizes here are significantly smaller than what we get in the States, and the UK is the fattest country in Europe. It's simply scary to think about how much we Americans eat.

To basically reiterate what everyone else has said, I shadowed an internist who started her own stroke prevention clinic. >70% of her patients were obese and she straight up told me that in her 25+ yrs of practice people have only gotten fatter and lazier, and if anything less prone to changing their dietary and exercise habits. It's unfortunate that our country has been progressing this way but if you look at the statistics I'm sure they would only fortify what I've said.

You could consider working at weight loss clinic, maybe even give HCG treatments? I'm not sure if you have to be a physician to do that though, I'm sure others on this forums are more informed.

 

[RummyMD]

I don't remember where exactly I read this, but isn't there a hospital or clinic in Cleveland that is well-known for concentrating on helping with weight loss or nutritional deficiencies in medicine? I can't place the name but I remember seeing it in an article somewhere.

 

[Morsetlis]

You know what helps with fat people?

Bariatric surgery.

 

[JimmyChitwood]

Don't worry Jakester, some people on here can be a bit cynical. You must forgive them, as the medical field can leave many jaded (hence the obvious shift in tone from the pre-med to the med boards). Unfortunately, they are often right.

I will respond because I also went to a private school in Indiana, so we are automatically connected on a higher plane of understanding.

First, nutrition is important in medicine, and many schools emphasize it with a few lectures here and there, but it is hardly a focused topic. The above posters are right, though. You can't save someone from themselves. Old habits just die hard. However, sometimes the odd patient listens and that can make up for the others and give you enough to keep you chuggin'.

Medical school is definitely not just "throwing your 20s away." It is a VERY big time sink, don't get me wrong, but with proper time management and a good attitude you can enjoy life just fine. Much of that has to do with how well you want to do in class and how happy you are as a person, anyway. Some people are just miserable, regardless. That being said, do not go into medicine unless you absolutely know it is for you. I can't stress that enough.

At this point, continue to bring your grades up. A strong upward trend isn't bad and finishing at around a 3.6-3.8 GPA will do you just fine for most schools (assuming you do well on your MCAT). Try as best you can to shadow and talk with physicians in different specialties to try and get a feel for what they do. I know you don't have much insight into what they really do at this point, but exposure never hurts. Don't be afraid to ask them questions (where do they see their field in 20 years? would they pick medicine again if they had to? that same specialty? etc.).

I do believe there is a "newer" fellowship available to family medicine resident offered at Arizona in integrative medicine (heavy on nutrition). I know a guy that completed it and now practices some, consults some, and owns a nutritional store.

Good luck, Jakester. And feel free to ask more questions.

 

[isoquin]

This is a loaded thread.

If you have to ask whether medicine is right for you, you should not be applying to medical school. That's not to say you may not like medicine, but you should have that question answered going into the application process, because if you can't quite convince yourself it's good for you, chances are you're not going to do a great job convincing the person interviewing you.

Middle school is not the time to decide to be a doctor. When I was in middle school, I'm pretty sure I wanted to be a ninja when I grew up. Or a fire truck. Having long-term goals is good, but they should be mature in formation.

You seem to be very focused on nutrition and not have a practical grasp on the basics of primary care. This leads me to wonder why you don't become a nutritionist. It seems like it would really work well with the goals you've mentioned here so far. I do have to agree with others that knowledge of nutrition does not itself predict better patient outcomes. I'd actually argue that psychology in the primary care setting is a lot more valuable skill to master to produce desired behavioral changes than nutrition. Most times the goal is not to get the patient to eat the most nutritious fruit, for example, but to eat ANY fruit instead of junk food.

The grades you pointed out do not preclude you from a career in medicine. I think the largest hindrance to that goal however is you at the moment. I suggest you do some more soul searching, shadow a variety of physicians (and nutritionists), and try to really feel out what you desire in life.

Best of luck.

 

[newdoc2013]

i am not going to read any of the above responses. i bet people are ragging you about grades blah blah blah sdn bullcrap know it all premeds soon to be know it all medical students.

if you want to dedicate yourself to helping other people cope with disease then you should go to medical school.

the key word is dedicate. i cannot reiterate how much dedication this profession takes. i read a lot before medical school and i can honestly say that i did not understand how much dedication is required (with even more required as you move through the ranks from medical school to residency and eventually as you practice and are responsible for your patients). perspective: i woke up at 5 am today and this is the first "non medical" thing ive done all day (aside from get ready for the day and eating and it is still somewhat medical) at 9 pm.

we all have interests within medicine and nutrition seems to be yours.

pursue medicine if you have passion and can dedicate yourself to your patients. you'll make a great doc if you love it.

 

[newdoc2013]

This is a loaded thread.

If you have to ask whether medicine is right for you, you should not be applying to medical school. That's not to say you may not like medicine, but you should have that question answered going into the application process, because if you can't quite convince yourself it's good for you, chances are you're not going to do a great job convincing the person interviewing you.

Middle school is not the time to decide to be a doctor. When I was in middle school, I'm pretty sure I wanted to be a ninja when I grew up. Or a fire truck. Having long-term goals is good, but they should be mature in formation.

You seem to be very focused on nutrition and not have a practical grasp on the basics of primary care. This leads me to wonder why you don't become a nutritionist. It seems like it would really work well with the goals you've mentioned here so far. I do have to agree with others that knowledge of nutrition does not itself predict better patient outcomes. I'd actually argue that psychology in the primary care setting is a lot more valuable skill to master to produce desired behavioral changes than nutrition. Most times the goal is not to get the patient to eat the most nutritious fruit, for example, but to eat ANY fruit instead of junk food.

The grades you pointed out do not preclude you from a career in medicine. I think the largest hindrance to that goal however is you at the moment. I suggest you do some more soul searching, shadow a variety of physicians (and nutritionists), and try to really feel out what you desire in life.

Best of luck.

oops i read a response. i disagree with this person.

you should question, and question hard.

BTW i am not jaded, i love medical school and i love where my life is headed. i feel like i am coming off negative.

 

[eHombre]

This is a loaded thread.
You seem to be very focused on nutrition and not have a practical grasp on the basics of primary care. This leads me to wonder why you don't become a nutritionist. It seems like it would really work well with the goals you've mentioned here so far. I do have to agree with others that knowledge of nutrition does not itself predict better patient outcomes. I'd actually argue that psychology in the primary care setting is a lot more valuable skill to master to produce desired behavioral changes than nutrition. Most times the goal is not to get the patient to eat the most nutritious fruit, for example, but to eat ANY fruit instead of junk food.

The grades you pointed out do not preclude you from a career in medicine. I think the largest hindrance to that goal however is you at the moment. I suggest you do some more soul searching, shadow a variety of physicians (and nutritionists), and try to really feel out what you desire in life.

This. Yes, it sounds like you should become a nutritionist. Those people know a lot about nutrition, you know.

I really feel like if I was able to understand nutrition down the finest detail, it would allow me to help give my patients the tools possible to help better their health and also help them prevent or cure the causes of lifestyle diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, etc. without extensive and often very expensive drugs. I just have the feeling that if I tried to help fix what's causing the disease itself, not just the disease, I could help my patients a lot more.

Lifestyle modification is what workout trainers, physical therapists, and nutritionists are for. Doctors are there for your 20 minute office visit, a statin prescription and, if you need it, a referral to the above professionals.

 

[isoquin]

oops i read a response. i disagree with this person.

you should question, and question hard.

BTW i am not jaded, i love medical school and i love where my life is headed. i feel like i am coming off negative.

but..... you didn't disagree with me? 😕

 

[MaddyBel]

Hi Jake,

I quickly read through this thread and am so disheartened to have read some of the replies to your initial question. Especially, since those interested in medicine should be those who are compassionate and care about helping others. It was very refreshing to read your post as, I agree, food and nutrition should be used more in medicine. As Hippocrates said "let food be they medicine and medicine thy food" This is rarely done amongst traditional physicians. We have strayed far from that. As many physicians do not understand the true impact of food on health. Some are not even taught nutrition in med school or are taught nutrition from the point of view of a standard healthy american diet - which is far from healthy and quite antiquated. There are studies and documentries such as forks over knives that show through proper food and nutrition awareness one can reverse/cure many lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, which are often thought of as chronic, treatable but not curable. So if you really would like to be a doctor you are the type of doctor I would love to have. I wish you all the best on your journey.

 

[Lollygag]

Hi Jake,

I quickly read through this thread and am so disheartened to have read some of the replies to your initial question. Especially, since those interested in medicine should be those who are compassionate and care about helping others. It was very refreshing to read your post as, I agree, food and nutrition should be used more in medicine. As Hippocrates said "let food be they medicine and medicine thy food" This is rarely done amongst traditional physicians. We have strayed far from that. As many physicians do not understand the true impact of food on health. Some are not even taught nutrition in med school or are taught nutrition from the point of view of a standard healthy american diet - which is far from healthy and quite antiquated. There are studies and documentries such as forks over knives that show through proper food and nutrition awareness one can reverse/cure many lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, which are often thought of as chronic, treatable but not curable. So if you really would like to be a doctor you are the type of doctor I would love to have. I wish you all the best on your journey.

You're new here, so just thought I'd help you out..

This thread is like 2 years old, I think RummyMD either got it together or switched careers by now lol

Regardless, I doubt they'll be checking back any time soon 😳

 

[Geebeejay]

+1. OP- people don't care. There isn't a single person in the nation that isn't aware that nutrition is important. Just knowing this, you would think people want to learn how important. But they don't. That is why a common American dinner is a 16 oz steak and a Coke.

Heh, I had a patient once that was morbidly obese and presented to the ED with hip pain (my hip would hurt too if I weighed 500 lbs. She was a boarder, so she ordered food. She ordered three burgers with cheesy bacon fries, 5 root beers and I think 2 orders of chicken fingers for dinner. Some patients just refuse to learn and some people are just mentally weak.

The funniest part was when her last side of bacon cheese fries got a bit cold, she asked us to heat it up. Almost everyone said no way, but the poor intern actually did it! She eventually pissed herself a few times in her hospital bed, which was in the hallway, because it was easier for her than walking 20 feet to the bathroom.

Conclusion? Many patients won't listen to you, and some will downright make you sick with the way they take care of themselves. Part of medicine is learning to deal with it and doing your part regardless of whether your patients are willing to do theirs.

Edit: UGGH I really need to start checking the dates...where do people find these skeleton threads to resurrect!? 🙁

 

[487806]

Hi Jake,

I quickly read through this thread and am so disheartened to have read some of the replies to your initial question. Especially, since those interested in medicine should be those who are compassionate and care about helping others. It was very refreshing to read your post as, I agree, food and nutrition should be used more in medicine. As Hippocrates said "let food be they medicine and medicine thy food" This is rarely done amongst traditional physicians. We have strayed far from that. As many physicians do not understand the true impact of food on health. Some are not even taught nutrition in med school or are taught nutrition from the point of view of a standard healthy american diet - which is far from healthy and quite antiquated. There are studies and documentries such as forks over knives that show through proper food and nutrition awareness one can reverse/cure many lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, which are often thought of as chronic, treatable but not curable. So if you really would like to be a doctor you are the type of doctor I would love to have. I wish you all the best on your journey.

good advice, but OP won't find it useful now.

 

[Guero]

Heh, I had a patient once that was morbidly obese and presented to the ED with hip pain (my hip would hurt too if I weighed 500 lbs. She was a boarder, so she ordered food. She ordered three burgers with cheesy bacon fries, 5 root beers and I think 2 orders of chicken fingers for dinner. Some patients just refuse to learn and some people are just mentally weak.

The funniest part was when her last side of bacon cheese fries got a bit cold, she asked us to heat it up. Almost everyone said no way, but the poor intern actually did it! She eventually pissed herself a few times in her hospital bed, which was in the hallway, because it was easier for her than walking 20 feet to the bathroom.

Conclusion? Many patients won't listen to you, and some will downright make you sick with the way they take care of themselves. Part of medicine is learning to deal with it and doing your part regardless of whether your patients are willing to do theirs.

Edit: UGGH I really need to start checking the dates...where do people find these skeleton threads to resurrect!? 🙁

Two words imbued with utter defeat: Dear. God.