Stigma around not wanting to save the world

[alerk323]

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I feel like there's a prevalent attitude that adcoms want to hear that your goal is to work for tirelessly for underprivileged children. However, there are plenty of jobs out there for physicians that don't involve much clinical or research work. One aspect of medicine that I really like is how flexible your career can be. Recently I was lucky enough to be in a room full of hospital presidents and CEO's, business leaders, even powerful political figures, all who are doctors.

My motivation for medicine is definitely based around treating patients, but I also like the possibilities that these types of careers present. Should I avoid saying these types of things? Is there a stigma to saying I may want to be a hospital administrator at some point? The truth is that I don't really know, but many schools ask.

 

[red doctober]

I feel like there's a prevalent attitude that adcoms want to hear that your goal is to work for tirelessly for underprivileged children. However, there are plenty of jobs out there for physicians that don't involve much clinical or research work. One aspect of medicine that I really like is how flexible your career can be. Recently I was lucky enough to be in a room full of hospital presidents and CEO's, business leaders, even powerful political figures, all who are doctors.

My motivation for medicine is definitely based around treating patients, but I also like the possibilities that these types of careers present. Should I avoid saying these types of things? Is there a stigma to saying I may want to be a hospital administrator at some point? The truth is that I don't really know, but many schools ask.

The reason why it's so important in choosing tomorrow's doctors to look for candidates who want to practice medicine especially in underserved communities is because that's where the demand lies. There are still millions of people in this country with little to no access to proper healthcare. Some schools want to try to help close this gap. It really depends on this mission of the school though.

 

[circulus vitios]

I feel like there's a prevalent attitude that adcoms want to hear that your goal is to work for tirelessly for underprivileged children. However, there are plenty of jobs out there for physicians that don't involve much clinical or research work. One aspect of medicine that I really like is how flexible your career can be. Recently I was lucky enough to be in a room full of hospital presidents and CEO's, business leaders, even powerful political figures, all who are doctors.

My motivation for medicine is definitely based around treating patients, but I also like the possibilities that these types of careers present. Should I avoid saying these types of things? Is there a stigma to saying I may want to be a hospital administrator at some point? The truth is that I don't really know, but many schools ask.

Yes. Force yourself to believe that you want to practice medicine in underserved areas.

[YOUTUBE]vn_PSJsl0LQ[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Mace1370]

I feel like there's a prevalent attitude that adcoms want to hear that your goal is to work for tirelessly for underprivileged children. However, there are plenty of jobs out there for physicians that don't involve much clinical or research work. One aspect of medicine that I really like is how flexible your career can be. Recently I was lucky enough to be in a room full of hospital presidents and CEO's, business leaders, even powerful political figures, all who are doctors.

My motivation for medicine is definitely based around treating patients, but I also like the possibilities that these types of careers present. Should I avoid saying these types of things? Is there a stigma to saying I may want to be a hospital administrator at some point? The truth is that I don't really know, but many schools ask.

I would play the game and tell them what they want to hear. Your job is to make them see you as the biggest care bear of them all.

 

[JFK90787]

Academic institutions have 4 missions of clinical work, teaching, research, and serving the underserved of their communities. I think one activity that demonstrates a little of each is important. I don't think you necessarily need to say you want to be out in the wilderness healing people in remote villages, but just some kind of experience that demonstrates you have exposed yourself to the plights of the underserved is important. And I don't mean mindlessly serving food at a soup kitchen.

I volunteered at a local neighborhood clinic near where I lived for a few months. I don't think I really did anything important, but I at least learned some of the unique health problems faced by those in poverty, beyond just the cost of the healthcare.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I almost feel like there's a stigma against the "save the world" types because it isn't a very realistic perspective.

 

[Camy99]

I almost feel like there's a stigma against the "save the world" types because it isn't a very realistic perspective.

This. I think it makes you sound a bit naive.
I don't understand why everyone is telling you to lie, you want to be a leader! What's wrong with that? Just don't say "I want nothing to do with direct contact with patients" and I think that should be fine. My opinion only, of course.

 

[Poetic Silence]

I imagine the programs with the dual MD/MBA programs would look highly upon that sort of response.

Regular MD programs? Maybe not.

 

[Leofet]

I third the sentiment that it makes you look naive if you have some sort of a hero complex.

OP, I don't think you should worry too much. Keep in mind that Perelman, Duke, and other great schools have dual-degree programs, so there's a purpose for having those kinds of doctors that you described.

Just be genuine. Not everyone can emulate what Paul Farmer did right? Be a doctor in your own way to contribute to the world. Plenty of ways to do it.

 

[Narmerguy]

I almost feel like there's a stigma against the "save the world" types because it isn't a very realistic perspective.

I agree, I never get the impression that people are even looking for these kinds of people. I think most administrators want to find a student whose motivation and ambition goes deeper than a paycheck, but that's hardly the same thing as expecting uninhibited idealism. The majority of physicians will be working in well-served or middle-class areas, and I think adcoms are aware of that.

You're concerned about a problem that is not really there.

 

[jtran001]

I thought medical schools care about diversity? I do not think there will ever be a time when every single applicant will apply to medical school with a "I-am-going-to-serve-the-underpriviledged" label on themselves... Speculatively, I do not think medical schools will admit such a homogenous class. Granted, the passion to serve people is almost required but going about it at a different angle from each applicant seems more likely to grant admission for the applicant. So I do not think coming into an interview with such fallacious intentions of "saving the world" will do one good. Just be honest, because honesty goes a long way.

 

[wololololololo]

The reason why it's so important in choosing tomorrow's doctors to look for candidates who want to practice medicine especially in underserved communities is because that's where the demand lies. There are still millions of people in this country with little to no access to proper healthcare. Some schools want to try to help close this gap. It really depends on this mission of the school though.

It's true, but these areas aren't particularly desirable places to live even considering the boost in pay you get in those areas. But you can sometimes have your cake and eat it too...

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=931015

 

[Gut Shot]

I feel like there's a prevalent attitude that adcoms want to hear that your goal is to work for tirelessly for underprivileged children. However, there are plenty of jobs out there for physicians that don't involve much clinical or research work. One aspect of medicine that I really like is how flexible your career can be. Recently I was lucky enough to be in a room full of hospital presidents and CEO's, business leaders, even powerful political figures, all who are doctors.

Yeah, very few (if any) of those people started their careers in medicine with the goals of being hospital presidents and CEOs, business leaders, or powerful political figures. They all began by learning medicine, and over time they 1.) found they possess the attributes necessary for leadership roles, and 2.) were in the right place at the right time.

Also, as TheMightySmiter alluded to above, medical schools are not actually looking for people with "save the world" attitudes. They are looking for people who have normal human emotions (+/- 2 SD). Applicants who consider basic displays of compassion, empathy, and humanism to be a chore tend to fall into the categories of 1.) self-centered a-hole, or 2.) complete f-ing sociopath.

Those people should consider a career in finance.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

I would play the game and tell them what they want to hear. Your job is to make them see you as the biggest care bear of them all.

That is freaking epic.😀