Surgical age limit?

[wilwal]

Hi,

I just thought I'd canvass opinion. I'm 26 and thinking of applying for medicine potentially this year. If I was to go through, I might come out age 31/32. I'm interested specifically in surgery. However I've spoken to some who say that being that age would infact be too old to become involved.

Probably a valid point as there can't be many mature beginners out there doing surgery I suppose. Can anyone validate this concept, or does any one have any particular view on it? And does anyone know why an age limit exists? Are there any fields for which it would still be permissible at that age?

Many thanks to any replies,

Will

[hippo_doc]

If you're good enough you're young enough!!

[blueberrypie]

I have never heard that before. I am glad you are bringing these things to light.

What the heck is going on with this forum today???

My screen keeps jumping to the bottom of the page. I thought my keyboard might have a sticky key, but i have just changed my keyboard and my mouse over and it is still doing it.

[Elisabeth]

What the heck is going on with this forum today???

My screen keeps jumping to the bottom of the page. I thought my keyboard might have a sticky key, but i have just changed my keyboard and my mouse over and it is still doing it.

It's the ad at the bottom.

It's driving me insane.

[carlyjennings]

Yes it is the add
Its doing my head in

[IWANNABEADOCTOR]

Hi,

I just thought I'd canvass opinion. I'm 26 and thinking of applying for medicine potentially this year. If I was to go through, I might come out age 31/32. I'm interested specifically in surgery. However I've spoken to some who say that being that age would infact be too old to become involved.

Probably a valid point as there can't be many mature beginners out there doing surgery I suppose. Can anyone validate this concept, or does any one have any particular view on it? And does anyone know why an age limit exists? Are there any fields for which it would still be permissible at that age?

Many thanks to any replies,

Will

I can confirm that I have also heard of this comment. Can't remember where I read it though, i'm sure it was in a careers book not sure though ??

I read it to say that some specialties would be age restricted ??
Probably why the GOVT has opened up more places to matures, to fill the G.P. gap as there's a queue from earth to mars for surgery !!

my opinion though !!

[saintgermain]

I've not heard of any specialty age limits. There are many students older than 32 at my medical school and I don't know of anyone being told to forget certain specialties. In any event surgical training does not take much longer - if any - that medical training. Surely GP isn't the only option available to the over 30s!

Unless this is something from the Department of Health, I would ignore advice of this sort. Finishing med school in your early thirties leaves 30-40 years of work ahead.

[gimperial99]

It takes about 14 years or so to train as a surgeon. F1/2, CT1/2, post CT year, SPR (6), MD/PHD (2-3), Fellowship (1). You would be a consultant aged 45, most people now make consultant around 38-39. I don't think thats a huge difference, and besides it would be illegal to say such a thing. If you really want to do it go for it. I have met surgeons who used to be policeman, nurses etc, so it is nothing new.

[James]

I have never heard of an age limit. In specialities like maxiofacial surgery all trainees are dual qualified dentists and doctors and would be older than you when they start their training.

[khaa9666]

I should hope not, i just turned 31 and start at manchester med school this september. I plan on working til about 145 so they will dam sure get their money's worth outta me. And if they try n stop me they will pay the price mmmwwwwoooooohahahahahahaha.