Back in 1992, I seriously considered medical school and becoming a doctor. I moved away from that because I did not want to have to pretend to be normal, and I think I was correct in my instincts.
Medical research felt dry, as if you’d just be hidden away in a lab.
The solution is ‘rounding’! Late last summer, my mother mentioned to her doctor’s physician assistant that I was considering paramedics, and the physician’s assistant offered to let me ‘round’ with her. It was a tremendous gift! And it just fell into my lap. And so the whole afternoon, I went with her as she went room to room seeing patients, back to her computer entering data (she could easily remember several patients in a row) and back seeing more patients. She really did the job of a doctor, including prescribing medication. The doctor signed off on her recommendations, I guess except for the very hardest of cases. Yes, yes, we did it ethically. She explained to each and every patient who I was and asked if it was alright if I sit in. And to my surprise, every patient said yes. I was expecting one or two to say no.
So, that’s the solution. You jazz up the research by seeing actual patients, and they are happy to have you. And being different, going at things your own way, is an ADVANTAGE in research. So, even now, at age 46, I’m considering going back to college and substantially doing science, which I have done on and off for years. I am considering either geology or chemistry, and I am starting to prestudy on my own. My horizons have expanded.
So, Dream Big. I think every young person should at least ask themselves if they want to be a doctor.
And ask if you can 'round.' Sure, ask with a light touch, and you might need to ask three or four. But see how it goes.
01 Aug 2009, 4:50 pm
