Programmers in medical school

[frankg1401]

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First year medical student here. I had a degree in computer science before entering medical school. Also worked in the summer as a programmer in a start-up company. Two months in medical school, I realized that I missed my days in computer science very much. The various subjects were interesting, coding was a lot of fun, and debugging always made me feel great. I love working in front of a computer, but the working experience in the summer was not as great as when in school, where there was always a desire to be good in the competition in coding assignments.

I feel that I should do something about computer science when I continue my career in medicine; it almost feels as if I am losing part of my identity if I no longer code, and work with various exciting tools. But I am really unsure if I would have time to pursue such interests. Perhaps I should better use such time in studying, research and getting into my goal specialty? I also do not feel confident that I have the skills to complete a software project from the beginning to the end. And everything in programming could take quite a long time. Thought about open source programming or writing apps, but do not have great ideas to pursue.

So, for fellow medical students, residents and staff physicians who had a background in programming, what are your thoughts and what have you done?

Thank you!

 

[bashwell]

First year medical student here. I had a degree in computer science before entering medical school. Also worked in the summer as a programmer in a start-up company. Two months in medical school, I realized that I missed my days in computer science very much. The various subjects were interesting, coding was a lot of fun, and debugging always made me feel great. I love working in front of a computer, but the working experience in the summer was not as great as when in school, where there was always a desire to be good in the competition in coding assignments.

I feel that I should do something about computer science when I continue my career in medicine; it almost feels as if I am losing part of my identity if I no longer code, and work with various exciting tools. But I am really unsure if I would have time to pursue such interests. Perhaps I should better use such time in studying, research and getting into my goal specialty? I also do not feel confident that I have the skills to complete a software project from the beginning to the end. And everything in programming could take quite a long time. Thought about open source programming or writing apps, but do not have great ideas to pursue.

So, for fellow medical students, residents and staff physicians who had a background in programming, what are your thoughts and what have you done?

Thank you!

I'd say for now focus on your medical studies. Prioritize med school since that's what you're there for, that's what you're paying the tens of thousands of dollars for. Get that down.

There will be many opportunities to get involved in programming in medicine in the future if you want to. You can always scratch that itch. At least after studying what you need to study for that day. As a sort of break or way to relax or as a hobby. You probably won't ever be able to be a full time programmer (unless you quit medicine or only work part time or similar), but you can still program while in medicine, create apps, etc.

In fact, having a BS in computer science and an MD may even doors you wouldn't have thought possible when you had "just" a BS in computer science. But it won't look as good if for example you fail out of med school. (Just using an extreme example, not that I have any reason to think you will at all).

 

[Psai]

Had a friend do some programming for his research which helped with streamlining data interpretation. I'm sure you can find avenues for it

 

[phonyreal98]

I do neuroimaging research, which is full of programming just about everywhere you look. I've written programs in python, matlab, SQL, VBA, and most of the major statistical programming languages. I also write/use shell scripts on an almost daily basis. It's a lot of fun!

My perception is that there are definitely opportunities in research, bioinformatics, software development (particularly apps and EHR), etc. for doctors who can program.

 

[22031 Alum]

See if you can get involved in some bioinformatics research.

 

[frankg1401]

Thanks for all the replies above. I appreciate all your input!

Definitely, as bashwell pointed out, studying for a satisfactory performance is still a priority. It is great to hear the use of programming skills in neuroimaging and bioinformatics research. I will look into those opportunities 🙂

 

[Tenk]

1) Develop a new EMR that is better and more user friendly than those currently available.

2) Get bought out by a competitor.

3) Retire.

 

[Psai]

1) Develop a new EMR that is better and more user friendly than those currently available.

2) Get bought out by a competitor.

3) Retire.

I can't see how that would be hard since every single emr is bizarrely user unfriendly and incredibly ugly. None of them look like a physician had any input at any point

 

[AspiringERMD]

I was a software development consultant. I knew almost immediately after starting my job that I had made an enormous mistake. I'm an M1 now. When I have the rare night like tonight (lots of stressed out, sleep-deprived, and beyond-frustrated crying), I think back on how unhappy I was back then and push on. Good riddance; I hope to never code again. I think I've definitely made the right choice for myself. 😀

 

[el_duderino]

I can't see how that would be hard since every single emr is bizarrely user unfriendly and incredibly ugly. None of them look like a physician had any input at any point

 

[Staphbreak]

Are you still working on any projects while in med school?

 

[chipwhitley]

I can't see how that would be hard since every single emr is bizarrely user unfriendly and incredibly ugly. None of them look like a physician had any input at any point

Because physicians don't choose which EMR a hospital should buy, the hospital administrators do. The systems that exist are designed to be optimal for billing purposes, because that's what they care about more than anything else.

 

[youngman1234]

I'm not sure about working on projects in med school... Have you thought about working for an EMR company after you graduate? Also, consulting might be an option.