Why Medicine - A new Discussion

**lalaloo** · 18-11-2007, 03:42 PM

I think the same - I wanted to make a difference and just feel in all the areas I have worked in I haven't felt that.. I asked the question mostly because I am at the moment on a 'gap year' in my career - at my age is hilarious (29) but I am really really considering what the hell I wanna do with my life and I always get that look when I tell ppl - u know the-crazy-medicine-at-your-age?!!! look, I have just been questioning my ideals....Whether I am living in cloud cookoo land or not..Mostly because I am going to literally turn my life upside down and it is slightly re-assuring to see that others have done this too - all for a dream..

And Chris I don't think money is a bad motivation either - my pal graduated from Med School with £50K debt so u know has to be worth that kinda debt..

**Dr Noodle** · 18-11-2007, 03:48 PM

Ah 29 isn't old! I've heard so many stories of people who were ten years older than you who decided to go into medicine. Think about it...fours years med school, two years foundation and em I think an extra four/ five years specialist training after that...you could be a consultant by the time you're 39 or 40...that's not too shabby!

**Victoria09** · 18-11-2007, 04:27 PM

-ahem- I'll be 30 in 2009!
*roars of laughter*

**dr_love** · 18-11-2007, 04:45 PM

I really look forward to my career in medicine for the reasons many of u have already mentioned. The thing that gets me questioning a career in medicine is the way that the NHS is increasingly becoming sold off 2 the private sector becoming more and more of a money making business scheme (read “NHS PLC” by Allison Pollock). One word ….. depressing.

Also, the state of health in Glasgow where I reside (and the rest of the UK for that matter), is rapidly declining because of the sheer incompetence and corruption inherent in government. This idea that it is the “individual’s choice” if they want to become healthy is absurd. Yes if u have the economic clout to afford a gym membership and buy fresh food from the farmers market, but if u r working long hours to support ur family on the local council estate it is impossible. Particularly when the green spaces in ur environment r being sold off 2 property develops, a very common occurrence in Glasgow. I find aspects of the obesity debate comparable to that of the global warming debate; this escalating idea of personal choice being used by politicians to shift the blame from them to you. The politicians are the ones that can make the difference, but they don’t because they make money from the current arrangement. Mainly through pay backs from the food industry (e.g. lord Sainsbury).

Working as a phlebotomist at Glasgow royal infirmary I have 2 put up with a trolley following directly behind me selling king size mars bars and massive bags of crisps to patients. Does no one else see how stupid this is!? They are in hospital in the first place because many of them have been eating food with a very poor nutritional content. Nutrition I feel has to take centre stage in our battle against Scotland’s obesity crisis. Furthermore, through this work u can’t help but notice the socio-economic divide. Almost 90% of the patients I would say are from poor backgrounds enforcing my believe that it is not the individuals choice at all. Would u argue that poor people lack the moral fibre to get themselves out of this situation? I doubt it.

Sorry about the rant had 2 get it off my chest. But that is what worries me about medicine, NHS privatisation and political incompetence / corruption.

**Gizmo says -** · 18-11-2007, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by dr_love

I really look forward to my career in medicine for the reasons many of u have already mentioned. The thing that gets me questioning a career in medicine is the way that the NHS is increasingly becoming sold off 2 the private sector becoming more and more of a money making business scheme (read “NHS PLC” by Allison Pollock). One word ….. depressing.

Also, the state of health in Glasgow where I reside (and the rest of the UK for that matter), is rapidly declining because of the sheer incompetence and corruption inherent in government. This idea that it is the “individual’s choice” if they want to become healthy is absurd. Yes if u have the economic clout to afford a gym membership and buy fresh food from the farmers market, but if u r working long hours to support ur family on the local council estate it is impossible. Particularly when the green spaces in ur environment r being sold off 2 property develops, a very common occurrence in Glasgow. I find aspects of the obesity debate comparable to that of the global warming debate; this escalating idea of personal choice being used by politicians to shift the blame from them to you. The politicians are the ones that can make the difference, but they don’t because they make money from the current arrangement. Mainly through pay backs from the food industry (e.g. lord Sainsbury).

Working as a phlebotomist at Glasgow royal infirmary I have 2 put up with a trolley following directly behind me selling king size mars bars and massive bags of crisps to patients. Does no one else see how stupid this is!? They are in hospital in the first place because many of them have been eating food with a very poor nutritional content. Nutrition I feel has to take centre stage in our battle against Scotland’s obesity crisis. Furthermore, through this work u can’t help but notice the socio-economic divide. Almost 90% of the patients I would say are from poor backgrounds enforcing my believe that it is not the individuals choice at all. Would u argue that poor people lack the moral fibre to get themselves out of this situation? I doubt it.

Sorry about the rant had 2 get it off my chest. But that is what worries me about medicine, NHS privatisation and political incompetence / corruption.

do they ever sell much though?
on our ward, they only come round once a week, so peeple buy an odd for a treat, not a regular fing.

**Lollie** · 18-11-2007, 05:25 PM

Hello,

I am going to be 34 when i start medicine next year, with a hubby and 9 year old child! so thats going to be rip-roaringly hilarious. However, I have completed 2 BSc degrees and an MSc degree whilst working full time as a biomedical scientist specialist so I am sure that i can cut it, especially once the first year is done and i can apply for an NHS bursary to see me through the rest of the course financially. I really cant wait to start and am awaiting interviews to come my way. It took me 6 years to fully understand the impact doctors have in medicine and I really wanna get stuck in there, my current experiences have further enforced my dream and I really feel like it can at last become a reality.

Anyone else in their 30's? I would say that whatever age you are, once you have realised your dream and can see it just peeking over the horizon, go for it with all your heart.

Lollie x

**dr_love** · 18-11-2007, 05:28 PM

Every day the sell alot! i have to add tho that patients often state that the are being forced into to buying this food as the stuff the hospital is dishing out is revolting, which is very true. They spend so much on drugs why not food? It’s just as important.

**Gizmo says -** · 18-11-2007, 05:46 PM

well your patietns are flubbin up, macca.

maybe you need to start a flab fighters class there.

**Hegz** · 18-11-2007, 06:13 PM

Working as a phlebotomist at Glasgow royal infirmary

Sorry this is off topic, but I just did my phlebotomy training with a girl who was starting at the Royal a few weeks ago. How do you like it? I havent spoke to her since.
I have to say though, that I've worked at the Western, and the Beatson Oncology Centre at Gartnavel (& a shift or 2 in the Vicky), and now I'm in Yorkhill, and I've never seen anyone come round with a trolley selling sweets or anything

is it just the Royal? Tbh I've never really been very impressed with it anyway, I did some training there too. Strange old hospital!

Back on topic - after a few years realising retail wasn't the sector for me, and psychology/sociology wasn't the right degree, I tried to think what I'd want to do if I could do anything (having previously thought about but ignored medicine as I didn't have the right highers) and I decided to look into different ways of getting in. I also realised my part time work would be much more useful to me in a hospital setting, so about a year ago I looked ror auxiliary posts, and this year I started a Bsc Anatomy and working part time as a phlebotomist.
I think what has drawn me to medicine is the same as most people have said, I would really love to be able to help people, and I realise that while being an auxiliary I was still helping, I think I would rather be the one trying to find out what was wrong and how to cure it/relieve the pain. After working in Yorkhill for a while I'm leaning towards paediatrics, maybe paediatric oncology, but we'll see what happens.