Possible to become a doctor if I don't love science?

[numbersloth]

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Don't get me wrong, I don't hate science, but general chemistry is really boring to me, labs are awful, and I don't like basic biology research.

I'm a Cognitive Science (psychology, philosophy, cs) major and I just really love people (how they think, social factors that affect them, how we differ, etc.) and helping them (love volunteering!). I like psychology because I like data-driven experiments and social sciences. I'm also really into socio-medical and behavioral science--I really liked my health policy class. But I don't really enjoy the biochem/chemistry pre-reqs.

Am I cut out to be a doctor or should I consider something else more social-science based? I've shadowed doctors and can see myself doing the day to day work (love pediatrics and family med, not interested in pathology, rad-onc, less patient-based specialities).

 

[james11]

Ya you'll probably be able to make it through med school if you want it bad enough, it just won't be that much fun

 

[Imperius]

So, why medicine instead of something like becoming a psychologist? You'll work with patients and get to do something you find interesting. Once you know why you want to be a physician (if you actually do)...Have you thought about becoming a psychiatrist?

Having a strong interest in the sciences will probably make med school easier since you will be drenched in science, but I don't think you need to love everything in science to become a physician.

 

[futuremdforme]

So, why medicine instead of something like becoming a psychologist?

Better job security, better salary, easier to get into than clinical psychology phd! (But agree, it is 100% worth considering similar but more social science professions.)

It's fine to prefer social science to biological science as long as you can handle the science-y bits. You're not going to be doing the same labs as undergrad, and you'll be linking all of the science to things that are relevant, which makes it more interesting.

 

[numbersloth]

So, why medicine instead of something like becoming a psychologist? You'll work with patients and get to do something you find interesting. Once you know why you want to be a physician (if you actually do)...Have you thought about becoming a psychiatrist?

Having a strong interest in the sciences will probably make med school easier since you will be drenched in science, but I don't think you need to love everything in science to become a physician.

I'm interested in psychiatry for sure--the problem with clinical psychology is that I actually want more science when I look at those programs, but the amount of science in medical school is a on the other end of the spectrum.

 

[futuremdforme]

I'm interested in psychiatry for sure--the problem with clinical psychology is that I actually want more science when I look at those programs, but the amount of science in medical school is a on the other end of the spectrum.

Think about the career, not the training! There's a lot of science in med school but not as much once you're in the clinical aspects. (Yes there is science but it's all applied, all relevant, and all in context of the person.)

 

[Sardinia]

@numbersloth There's 12 cranial nerves and 31 spinal nerves. There are three major parts of the brain and many regions in the brain that are categorized by their functions in neuroanatomy in a similar manner that anatomy can be taught by systemic anatomy e.g. digestive system, respiratory system, etc. The easiest way I compile and stack information even if I find it non-interesting is to relate it back to a system that I am passionate about and want to keep on my mind at all times. Many people create associative stories in order to help them memorize information. If you have ever taken Microbiology there is a book called Clinical Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple which applies this type of learning style in order to help students retain information. I'm not advertising, however the approach is unique and well received by students, I suggest doing a google search on it as you may find a nice surprise.

I think that it's weird in your opening post that you didn't mention having an interest of going into the field of psychiatry. There are very prominent therapists like Irvin D. Yalom who are psychiatrists and have written books regarding certain cases they dealt with as a clinical therapist. Turns out it was addressed in alter posts after I initially posted this. If you feel that the amount of material you would have to digest in medical school is daunting then why not try to expose yourself to some of the material currently. Being overwhelmed is a common feeling in medical school, however it's silly to avoid the road less traveled simply because you're afraid of what could it end up being without taking a good look at it.

 

[Moose A Moose]

You're gonna face an uphill battle, my friend.

Better make sure you know why you want to be a doc if you get to the interviewing stage or else the adcoms will tear you apart and nit-pick about why some sort of social-work wouldn't be a better decision.

 

[Lannister]

You're asking the wrong question. Can you become a doctor if you don't like science? Yes, if you work hard enough. But should you become a doctor if you're not actually going to enjoy it? Probably not.

 

[Earl Simmons]

^ditto what the above poster said. You will despise the basic sciences curriculum if you don't enjoy science. The science is also fundamental to treating patients. Medicine at its core is the application of science and to heal in a humanistic manner.

 

[eteshoe]

In all honesty, practicing medicine really isn't like being a scientist so you don't really have to love science to become a physician (in most cases). There's plenty of people who stomach enough basic science to get through med school, go to residency and move on with their lives.

 

[MerYangBey]

General chemistry is boring.
Basic bio research is boring.
Most general science labs are boring.
Biochem is annoying.

I don't think that not liking the things mentioned above means that you don't like science. There are so many cooler classes like immunology, physiology, etc.
If you don't like anything except psych then maybe don't torture yourself with med school.

 

[whatever5]

I disagree with above posters, not liking intro sciences =/= not liking medicine.

I thought intro bio was whatever, physics was interesting, but chem/orgo was about as interesting to me as reading a Terms of Service. My 300 level bio classes however were really interesting. If you don't like biology at all, maybe reconsider because it's going to be really difficult to learn so much about something you don't like, but if you're interested in some parts but not others don't worry too much.

 

[numbersloth]

I disagree with above posters, not liking intro sciences =/= not liking medicine.

I thought intro bio was whatever, physics was interesting, but chem/orgo was about as interesting to me as reading a Terms of Service. My 300 level bio classes however were really interesting. If you don't like biology at all, maybe reconsider because it's going to be really difficult to learn so much about something you don't like, but if you're interested in some parts but not others don't worry too much.

Yeah, to clarify, I find higher-level biology and my physiology class really interesting. But its mostly general chemistry and physics E&M that I'm just not interested in. I wish they taught it with applications to medicine...

 

[Goro]

Medical school is NOT general chemistry.

Come back after y9ou have taken a physiology and/or an anatomy course. Chemistry is for weeding out the weak.

Don't get me wrong, I don't hate science, but general chemistry is really boring to me, labs are awful, and I don't like basic biology research.

I'm a Cognitive Science (psychology, philosophy, cs) major and I just really love people (how they think, social factors that affect them, how we differ, etc.) and helping them (love volunteering!). I like psychology because I like data-driven experiments and social sciences. I'm also really into socio-medical and behavioral science--I really liked my health policy class. But I don't really enjoy the biochem/chemistry pre-reqs.

Am I cut out to be a doctor or should I consider something else more social-science based? I've shadowed doctors and can see myself doing the day to day work (love pediatrics and family med, not interested in pathology, rad-onc, less patient-based specialities).

 

[kmp0410]

I don't agree with what others have said at all. I think you'll be fine. I don't love science by any means. I think most people in my class feel the same way, hence to why we did medicine and not basic science research, PhD's, etc. The majority of Doc's you meet or people in medical school are not the uber-science types. Some fields are definitely more science oriented...but those tend to attract those people.

I find most things tolerable, definitely enjoy some subjects more than other. I absolutely hated Gen Chem. Hated physics. Orgo was ok. Even my favorite subjects don't exactly set the world on fire...I mean its still school and studying which can simply be a pain sometimes. I generally like Anatomy but it has its rough moments.

I don't think a love of science is necessary to be a doc at all. Makes some parts of med school kind of pain, but I think the amount of the science I hated from undergrad is very minimal. Almost every time that crap comes up where you had to memorize a bunch of structures, numbers, pathways...the professor goes "You don't have to memorize this stuff." Way less boring lab stuff, I thank the heavens I don't have to spend time in chem lab or doing lab reports anymore.

As long as you can get by without being miserable and without it being a back breaking struggle...you'll be fine. Its work/school, it's not always fun and exciting.