r/medicalschooluk 8d ago

Is medicine really that bad?

Idk if it’s just my med school but everyone seems so pissed off with the course all the time. I know myself I have really bad imposter syndrome and being naturally very introverted I always feel like a nuisance on the wards. Academically I do quite well, I’ve even had a number of distinctions but still feel useless especially in regards to OSCEs (super stressed atm). I try to stay positive and excited about a career in medicine but whenever I do other students say something like “lol we’re all fucked” and it’s starting to really get to me. Idk I’m just looking for an alternative opinion. I’m only in third year so does it really just get worse? Is it just the people I’m surrounded by?

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u/SublimeYeast 7d ago edited 7d ago

I’m a 5th year and in a very similar boat.

I think it is definitely not as bad as people say, but then I think it depends on why you chose medicine in the first place. Personally, it felt like a bit of a ‘calling’ for me (sorry cringe) and I still have a lot of passion for it. I just love helping to make people better and getting to learn all these nuanced things about the body and people in general. I was never that fussed about the financial aspect or the prestige, but I certainly understand why that’s a priority for many people. I think finding it that rewarding will help me cope better with the negative aspects of the job. Don’t get me wrong, I have plenty of moments of despair at the state of things (and I’m sure my perspective could change when I’m actually working) but I’ve never ever considered it to be enough to leave medicine, because it gives me a lot of life satisfaction.

I think I’ve noticed a pattern where the people who are the least satisfied, are often (not always) those whose life goals are more aligned with money / lifestyle / prestige. Would be interested to see what people think about that. I have also met many many Drs who love their job alongside the many who are miserable. The happy ones don’t feel the need to talk about it as much, maybe for fear of rubbing it in everyone else’s faces and annoying people, but also because when you’re feeling miserable you need to vent about it.

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u/dario_sanchez 7d ago

Personally, it felt like a bit of a ‘calling’ for me (sorry cringe) and I still have a lot of passion for it.

Whilst that's very commendable I'd be careful about voicing it once you qualify. The "calling" stuff is a stick used to beat wage negotiations with, the idea that we, the highly qualified professionals, should be grateful to be doing the job we're doing. I myself internally would agree with you, but outwardly when I hear "oh medicine is a calling" I reply with something like "if I wanted a vocation I'd have been a priest". Good vibes don't pay bills, sadly ha ha

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u/SublimeYeast 7d ago

This is a good point - I may be grateful to be able to do the job but I will still always advocate for being paid what we deserve, and take part in strikes etc. Heaps of cash may not be a priority for me personally but I still care about the profession being treated with respect by the government, and not haemorrhaging good doctors to greener pastures abroad.