Reflections on Leaving Medicine: Do You Regret Exiting the Healthcare Profession?
I am a Cambridge-trained medical doctor who worked in the NHS for 2.5 years before my first unsuccessful attempt to leave medicine. I managed to successfully depart the medical field after five years of clinical practice, during my first year as a Dermatology registrar. I hardly look back, for reasons that stem from the mismatch between my values, interests, and talents and the traditional clinical practice setting in the UK.
The Decision to Leave Medicine
Should you consider leaving medicine, I strongly encourage you to do so with clear and well-reasoned intentions. Many who make this shift express no regrets. If you are certain about it and have a fulfilling new opportunity lined up, you are far more likely to thrive. However, as with any significant career transition, it's crucial to weigh all the pros and cons before taking the leap.
Alternative Paths After Medicine
Even as I left medicine, other doors opened for me. I now serve as a career coach for doctors, helping them navigate their career paths. One of my clients shared a compelling story. After many unsuccessful attempts and the persuasion of a school counselor and a Nobel laureate, he decided against pursuing a research career. He is deeply interested in the aging process and has some straightforward theories: dehydration, inflammation, and telomere degradation. However, he also acknowledges that he might have gained more comprehensive information if he had pursued the path.
The Regret of Going to Medical School
The regret for me lies not in the decision to leave medicine but in going to medical school in the first place. It felt like a decade of wasted time between books and exams, with no social life to speak of. I never stepped foot in a party, a term I only encountered in TV shows. Over the years, the stress and pressure of medical school took a heavy toll on my mental health, leading to the prescription of anti-depressants.
People's Perspectives on Leaving Medicine
Some individuals who did pursue medical degrees believe they would have been driven to suicide had they chosen that path. They highlight the importance of not only helping people but also maintaining one's own life, stating that practicing medicine in the US can lead to this dichotomy. Others share that even after they received their degrees, they ended up with regrets about not at least applying to medical school.
My own journey involves a bit of a twist. Coming from a different educational system, I faced additional layers of bureaucracy and fear of failure. My decision to opt for a biology course instead of pursuing medicine stemmed partly from a lack of confidence in passing the rigorous entry tests. Despite always wanting to be a doctor since childhood, I eventually justified my decision by saying that a biology course would still cover similar knowledge areas. However, my frustration mounted with each subject I found uninteresting or irrelevant.
Final Thoughts on Career Changes
Reflecting on these experiences, my advice to those considering a career change or who are simply overwhelmed by the pressure of medical school is to stay true to your values and interests. If the career path you choose aligns with who you are, you are more likely to find fulfillment. It is crucial to evaluate the reasons behind your decisions and ensure that the new path you embark upon is a better fit for your overall well-being and career goals.