love doctors, but scared of gory stuff

[pr123]

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Hello,

I've been watching a lot of videos made by physicians lately. And due to a physical accident, have been to a number of doctors lately. I really like doctors. They are the kind of people I would like to be around. I am also very good with grades and test taking, and I am a hard worker.

I've been thinking about med school. But live surgery (especially open heart surgery or brain surgery) looks very scary to me when I see it on video. And cadavers look downright spooky. Does that mean I should rule out med school?

I'm an analytical person, so I like the idea of diagnosing patients and then applying proper treatment. But I will need a lot of improvement in terms of handling the blood and guts aspects of medicine. If I were to become a physician, I would gravitate to something that isn't very invasive. I know family medicine and pediatrics don't pay as much as surgical specialties, but I think I would like the patient interaction and the fact that they are less invasive.

I've heard you can get used to things, so maybe its not a lost cause. And circling back to the beginning, I really resonate with physicians. So it would be so great to work with physician colleagues.

 

[Phile98]

I think as long as you’re willing to give everything a try in person (as you will in rotations), you should be fine. There are many specialties that are non-invasive. Try not to pidgeon hole yourself into thinking not liking cadavers is the reason why you can’t go to med school. Good Luck!

 

[pr123]

I think as long as you’re willing to give everything a try in person (as you will in rotations), you should be fine. There are many specialties that are non-invasive. Try not to pidgeon hole yourself into thinking not liking cadavers is the reason why you can’t go to med school. Good Luck!

Thanks, I appreciate it! Also, i've read it is good to do volunteer work at hospitals before applying to med school. It shows interest and teamwork. So maybe I could volunteer to be in an environment that acclimates me to gory stuff.

 

[Catalystik]

i've read it is good to do volunteer work at hospitals before applying to med school. It shows interest and teamwork. So maybe I could volunteer to be in an environment that acclimates me to gory stuff.

You also need to be sure you can mange being around sick and injured folks. Volunteering in a clinical environment is a good idea for you.

 

[IsleyOfTheNorth]

I think it's very possible to condition yourself to it, I think. It just requires time and exposure. That's been my experience. Some biology labs with dissection may help, but you have to be willing to "get your hands dirty". Remember: You don't get better at something by NOT doing it.

 

[atomi]

You adapt and get over it. Everyone does. I know someone who passed out at sight of blood first day of surgery clerkship. Now a surgeon.

 

[getdown]

Every specialty that you choose, no matter how benign, will require you do something "gory". Peds you'll be in the NICU/PICU where you have to do invasive lines and rotations in the ER. Like other said, go shadow people and see if you can handle it. If not, then maybe it's not for you.

 

[longhaul3]

Most people in your situation end up being totally fine after sufficient exposure. Also, brain surgery and open heart surgery are not necessarily the grossest stuff in medicine. Non-procedural physicians encounter every possible disgusting variation of urine, stool, vomit, and so on. But I suspect you will get over it if you decide to go into medicine.

 

[sunshinefl]

Most people in your situation end up being totally fine after sufficient exposure. Also, brain surgery and open heart surgery are not necessarily the grossest stuff in medicine. Non-procedural physicians encounter every possible disgusting variation of urine, stool, vomit, and so on. But I suspect you will get over it if you decide to go into medicine.

Of all the bodily fluids.... nothing beats a trach suction.

 

[Phile98]

Non-procedural physicians encounter every possible disgusting variation of urine, stool, vomit, and so on.

Ah, internal medicine + its fellowships always find a way to show you a different fluid every day 🤣

 

[atomi]

Most people in your situation end up being totally fine after sufficient exposure. Also, brain surgery and open heart surgery are not necessarily the grossest stuff in medicine. Non-procedural physicians encounter every possible disgusting variation of urine, stool, vomit, and so on. But I suspect you will get over it if you decide to go into medicine.

I remember as a pre-med thinking I would never be able to do a rectal exam on somebody. I was horrified by it. Somehow made it through med school without doing one on an actual patient. Avoided them as much as possible as an intern. Now do them nearly daily without a second thought. Poop separated from my finger by a thin glove? No big deal after all.

 

[JeSuisUnDoc]

People faint around stuff like that then they get used to it! You won’t know until you try it so shadow, shadow, shadow!


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[Mad Jack]

You get over it. The clinical years and residency effectively serve as exposure therapy. There are also plenty of non-gory specialties