Naive Med Student Asking How To Make A Difference

[Sal Sero]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Incoming MD/MPH at a Top 20 research school asking a warm-and-fuzzy/naïve-type question about the future of medicine and how best to make a difference. Over the past year (gap year) I've been doing a lot reflecting, along with reading a lot of Atul Gawande, Paul Farmer, and other more "revolutionary" type tales of people who are changing medicine. The irony of perusing an internet forum to find my "career inspiration" does not escape me, but I can only assume that SDNers have some great insight into a subject like this, and I want to get involved as early as possible in something important.
The question: Where do I even begin? Do I just brute-force it and sift through lit reviews and meta-studies until I find the most pressing issues in a field? Do I aim to gain a unique skill set like statistical coding or learning to speak the language of a rural African tribe? Do I meditate in my apartment for hours until a vision of how I am meant to leave my mark appears to me in the form of a wise Chinese karate instructor?

All insight appreciated
Sincerely,
Wannabe visionary

 

[Domperidone]

Wannabe visionary

Teehee

For starters, what are you passionate about?
any particular area of medicine you want to go into when you grow up?
there's plenty of areas that need research and leadership in, 'to make a difference.'
but if you're going to do it, you would have to put up the grunt work or brute force work. so at least do it in something you enjoy, simply put.

if you have no idea what it is that you're passionate about changing or interested in, perhaps wait until you do some rotations. or do some shadowing if you have time to spare (ideally you probably should be focussing on building your foundation for clinical knowledge first).

There's a lot of opportunities in geriatrics and changing how we cope with aging as a society as an example, but you'd probably want to enjoy geriatrics and that type of population. Equally, there's plenty of opportunities for programs within lower socioeconomic groups. If you're leaning towards more humanitarian work. I could go on. Sometimes it's as easy as asking a practicing doctor to be involved in whatever project they're doing, and getting mentoring from them if you get serious about it later.

Also, what sort of a difference are you wanting to make?
we talking policy type things, research trials or creating programs to educate either health professionals or improve the lives of patient populations? Have you tried to see what your local medical student clubs are doing too?

This career will change you in many ways.
Occasionally, it's something confronting (or collectively confronting things) that will push you in a direction. to be whatever it is the change you wish to be in the world.

 

[Sal Sero]

Teehee

For starters, what are you passionate about?
any particular area of medicine you want to go into when you grow up?
there's plenty of areas that need research and leadership in, 'to make a difference.'
but if you're going to do it, you would have to put up the grunt work or brute force work. so at least do it in something you enjoy, simply put.

if you have no idea what it is that you're passionate about changing or interested in, perhaps wait until you do some rotations. or do some shadowing if you have time to spare (ideally you probably should be focussing on building your foundation for clinical knowledge first).

There's a lot of opportunities in geriatrics and changing how we cope with aging as a society as an example, but you'd probably want to enjoy geriatrics and that type of population. Equally, there's plenty of opportunities for programs within lower socioeconomic groups. If you're leaning towards more humanitarian work. I could go on. Sometimes it's as easy as asking a practicing doctor to be involved in whatever project they're doing, and getting mentoring from them if you get serious about it later.

Also, what sort of a difference are you wanting to make?
we talking policy type things, research trials or creating programs to educate either health professionals or improve the lives of patient populations? Have you tried to see what your local medical student clubs are doing too?

This career will change you in many ways.
Occasionally, it's something confronting (or collectively confronting things) that will push you in a direction. to be whatever it is the change you wish to be in the world.

Fantastic input, thank you. Regarding where my interests lie, I could make a case for going in any of the many directions you listed, so I may need to put in a wait-and-see approach until the light dawns.

Thanks again
-Sal

 

[DocWinter]

Do a good job and make people happy.
Medicine is many things, but at it's core it's customer service.

If you get a nitch in something you're passionate about that's great. Most good doctors make a difference by showing up each day and working, just like anything else.

That's not very romantic but IMO it's effective and realistic.

 

[Domperidone]

Do a good job and make people happy.
Medicine is many things, but at it's core it's customer service.

If you get a nitch in something you're passionate about that's great. Most good doctors make a difference by showing up each day and working, just like anything else.

That's not very romantic but IMO it's effective and realistic.

This is very true.
The day to day alone will take a lot of you too. But it is meaningful to the teams you work with and the patients you see. I wouldn't underestimate this. It's also simply not as easy as may be the shows or books make it out to be. You'll find this out once you go on rotations.

Most doctors aren't Atul Gawandes or Paul Farmers.
You can certainly aspire to be. If so, again, I wouldn't rush it either. Atul didn't write his first proper book until he was finishing residency anyway. 😛 you have another..10 years to catch up? hahaha

 

[TorMed]

You could do some service in developing countries. Like Doctors Without Borders. Or if you wanted to stay in the US you could do inner city clinic work. Rural areas are underserved as well.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile