IT and Med School

[optimistique]

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Anyone work in the IT field before going to medical school? Will you pursue it your interest in computers while getting MD?

Anyone interested in Bioinformatics/Medical Informatics?

 

[xaelia]

I worked in CS/HCI/Information Design before going back for premedical courses, and I'm pretty much happy to be not staring at a computer screen all day anymore. I'll probably keep dabbling in some CS endeavors, but I would imagine most of my specific knowledge will become outdated enough that I'll only be able to function as a physician/technologist at a higher-level advisory role. That would be fun to do on, say, the board of a company developing clinical devices.

 

[medicnas]

I'm currently working as an IT consultant for physicians' practices (took a year off).

I too would like to keep up with the IT stuff when I'm practicing, but I don't think I'll get involved in any system design or coding....more advisory.

Oh, the University of Minnesota JUST introduced a combined program: MD/MHI (Masters in Health Informatics). I guess that they envision MD/MHIs being advisors...it's a neat program and I've though about doing if if I don't do an MD/JD.

Take care!

 

[tugo]

yeah, i'm working in the IT field, but have an engineering degree...have been for awhile, > 5 yrs. i thought it would be helpful in applying to med schools but they don't seem to give a rip...
i will try to keep up with it in med school, if i get in. upitt has that bioinformatics concentration. it would be nice to go there and enter that program.
w/ the IT experience, i figure i'll have a lot easier time integrating technology into my practice hopefully making being a doctor easier.

 

[Grizzelhop]

I'm in the IT field. I have been a Network Admin for 6 years and am currently working at a law firm. After so long in the field I just got tired of it. I went to a tech school and got some Certs (MCSE) and am just now trying to get back to school and finish my BS so I can get into med school.
Hopefully I will be able to keep up with technology so I can integrate it into my future practice.
Wish all of you techies all the best!

 

[sponch]

i was an enterprise software consultant for a global professional services firm specializing in financials, supply chain, and human resources applications for a couple of years before starting my own firm. most med schools didn't really care about the type of work but were impressed with how i was able to excel in that line of work with a life sciences degree. starting my own company and making it work during tough economic times was a good selling point as well. as with most things in life, i guess it depends on how you sell the concept. 🙂

i wouldn't mind being involved with information technology in my practice, but frankly, i don't think i'll have time to keep current with the technology and be an excellent clinician at the same time. i'm confident that my choice to focus on medicine is the right one.

 

[optimistique]

Nice to meet fellow IT professionals.

I worked as a web producer for internet company that provided literature and other resources to scientists. Im considering getting a masters in Information Systems to prepare me for bioinformatics research (my BS is in cell and molecular bio).

Adcoms dont really care about technology experience? I'll keep that in mind as I go into this admissions cycle...

My task now is showing how my experiences are related to biomedical advancement, without overshadowing my primary passion for medicine. Getting the right angle on my "selling points" as you say, sponch.

Everyone: would you say there are challenges/advantages to switching from corporate mentality to an academic one?