BSc Hons., PhD THEN medicine?

[dMcgeadie]

Hi! Not been on this in a loooong while, but it's coming back to that time when you wonder where your career is going again! :whistle: :p

I'm sure some of you know that I'm doing a joint honours science degree just now and that my original plan was to go into medicine thereafter.. but I really love what I do, and I want to do a PhD in oncology.. I'm curious as to whether or not there is a protocol for doctors wanting to become Doctors.. :p

Does anyone know anyone that's done this before? Looking for pros/cons, whether or not there are any regrets and so on.

Love love love,
Dave :beer:

[DevilishlyPure]

There's someone with a PhD in my year so it's deffo doable!

[Jay]

There's someone with a PhD in my year so it's deffo doable!

I know of 2 people with PhDs in my year too...

[elliottsimpson]

In the 1960s, anyone considering a career in laboratory medicine was encouraged by J Norman Davidson (see http://www.elliottsimpson.com/history/glasgow1university.html) to do an honours BSc during their undergraduate training and to gain a PhD prior to being appointed to senior hospital posts. Although many did that at that time, I doubt if many would be doing it today.

[dMcgeadie]

So if there are fewer doing it these days would that happen to give me an edge?! :p:whistle: :lol

[Adam Gilmour]

Will definately make it easyier for you to get a national training number for ST posts etc. Many doctors/surgeons find themselves sitting MDs and PhDs once they qualify in order to acheive training posts on the road to becoming a consultant

[dMcgeadie]

So I see - seems to be quite bad in getting a surgical post NTN... which is what I'm looking to go into!

Fair doos - I was always fairly certain that this was what I wanted to do, and I was encouraged today to keep going towards medicine - girl took an epileptic fit in my laboratory class today, I ended up giving first aid (recovery position, protect the head right?) and was kind of shocked to see my demonstraters freak out about it - ended up with me having to calm them down as well! Girl ended up being fine :)

I want to do medicine - it's right for me. I know for sure. What's an extra 8 years anyhows?! :p

[iain_261188]

couple of phds in my year.

(edit: failed to read previous comments - same people as jay i'm guessing)

have one of them in my pbl group - knows everything about physiology. pretty good resource i find, he has an analogy for EVERYTHING. i like analogies.

[dMcgeadie]

:up:

Analogies rock come exam time :D

[dMcgeadie]

ARGH! Meant to add to that:- Once managed to get both Steven Spielberg and Arnold the Governator involved in a biochemistry question. Passed! :lol

[davidmed]

I want to do medicine - it's right for me. I know for sure. What's an extra 8 years anyhows?! :p


if you want to do it stick at it! the length of times not important if its the career u want-how many people have a job or career they dont really want?

[dMcgeadie]

if you want to do it stick at it! the length of times not important if its the career u want-how many people have a job or career they dont really want?

About 3/4's of my classmates just now? :whistle:

[Jay]

Time doesn't matter that much, but take it from me it gets harder the older you get, both to get in and (Im guessing) to get the job you want at the other side.

And money doesn't make the world go round but again, the older you get the more commitments you have and the harder it gets. And then theres familes and family committments and so on... Its not a very easy path, so I wouldn't wait forever

[relliott]

I know at least 2 people who completed PhDs before starting medicine, so it can be done.

What you really have to decide is how long do you want to be at university for? And can you afford to be not working full time for another 5 years? The debts will catch up on you quickly once you start working and many people are fed up wtih exams and studying by the time they get to the end of their PhD.

Aren't I just the little voice of sunshine....

Not dissing doing medicine. It's a great job most of the time. There are a few surprise negative aspects waiting on the other side of university but none of them are the end of the world.

[Adam Gilmour]

Not dissing doing medicine. It's a great job most of the time. There are a few surprise negative aspects waiting on the other side of university but none of them are the end of the world.

Lol you mean like unsociable hours, dodgy pay when ou take into account hours worked compared to the other professional groups (become a dentist lol) and hospital politics to name but a few! eek

Aww who am I kidding I love the job....most of the time

[iain_261188]

bit out of date with this comment but:

there's a BMA grant for PHDs doing medicine. someone i know got a scholarship thing for about £4000 a year.

not too shabby.