Although it is a vocational career, knowing these reasons can help you decide.
In Spain it has a duration of 6 years, added to 4 years of specialization (MIR). That is, a total of 10 years of minimum training to practice as a doctor in the public health system in Spain.
- We recommend you read: “How many years does the medical career last according to the country?”
In this article we will know 12 great reasons that answer the question: Why study Medicine? As we will see, the reasons are of different types and have to do with different incentives and sacrifices that you must make if you opt for this career.
Why study Medicine? 12 reasons to study this career
As we said, studying medicine involves great dedication. That is why people who study medicine usually have a clear vocation, since it is not a short career and involves a considerable sacrifice. In addition, the training does not end with career and the MIR, since doctors are trained throughout their career, due to advances and updates in medicine.
Obviously, everyone is different, and the choice to study medicine would vary from person to person; That is, the motives for each will always be different. However, we are going to propose some of the reasons that may explain why this career is chosen, selected from some studies and surveys conducted with doctors and future doctors:
1. The vocation
Why study Medicine? The first reason we propose is clearly vocation. If you have a vocation as a doctor, to help others, to know diseases, in short, to dedicate your life to health and the healing of diseases and patients, it is a good option to study medicine.
The vocation is a key element in the choice of a future since it is something very instinctive, that is felt inside, and that guides us when choosing what we want in life. In addition, when there is a vocation there is passion, a fundamental element in human motivation and that will drive us to be professionals and achieve excellence in our field.
2. Job opportunities / MIR vacancies
In Spain, if you study medicine, it is highly probable that you will end up working in Public Health . This is demonstrated by the number of MIR vacancies that are offered each year, as well as their growth call by call. Specifically, in 2020, 6,797 places for doctors have been announced, which is 284 more than the previous year.
In addition, after the MIR there are also oppositions to find a permanent job as a doctor, without counting other types of contracts (substitutions, indefinite contracts, etc.).
It must also be taken into account that many doctors also practice in private healthcare, both in their own offices and for private mutual insurance companies or private medical centers.
3. Help others
Linked to reason 1, we find this: the fact of being able to help others . Being a doctor you have the opportunity to help many people on a daily basis. It is a people-focused profession (most of the time, since you can also work in the field of research, for example).
Dealing with the patient is fundamental and exists for practically all specialties in medicine. So if you like people and help others, medicine can be a good option. In addition, they are helped in a very important way, which is by making them feel better and helping them heal.
4. Knowledge and training
But the reasons do not exist only for when you have already finished the race and you exercise; There are also reasons related to the career itself.
Thus, training in medicine offers a great amount of knowledge in relation to very diverse topics, such as the different medical specialties, the different types of diseases, treatments, research, technology, etc.
In other words, the degree offers an inexhaustible source of knowledge that the student will acquire and that will enrich him in many ways.
5. Quality teaching
The Spanish medical schools have a lot of investment that allows them to promote the updating of methods, knowledge, training , etc.
In other words, in addition to the fact that training in medicine offers a great deal of knowledge, it is of quality. Spanish universities have great prestige, especially those in Barcelona and Madrid. And in other countries, in general, training in medicine is also one of the most requested and socially respected.
In addition, to the theoretical training is added the practical training (the practices of each year), which allows to train future doctors with guarantees of professionalism and demand.
6. Improve society
Linked to the previous reasons in relation to the reasons for studying medicine, we find that of improving society. Studying medicine allows us to help many people, and that contributes to the well-being of society.
So it allows us to improve society, for example through the transmission of knowledge (in different trainings carried out by doctors), but also thanks to the treatment with the patient (when they are explained what disease they have, how to prevent other diseases, how to treat themselves, how to take care of themselves, etc.). In other words, we are talking about an improvement in people’s daily lives but, with everyone’s contribution, also on a large scale, increasing the life expectancy and well-being of fellow citizens.
7. Acknowledgement
There are people who, through their studies, also seek recognition in their profession. The fact of becoming a doctor is a source of pride, since it is a long career and requires dedication; In addition, doctors, in general, have always enjoyed good recognition by society, since it is a figure of help to others, of social commitment and with high knowledge.
8. Self-improvement
Deciding to study medicine does not have to be an easy decision, sincegetting to access it requires having a very high cut-off mark in selectivity and a very good record in highschool (at least to access the public university).
In addition, there are more and more people who want to study this career, and that is why competition increases (both in public and private universities). For all this, getting not only to obtain a place in the faculty, but to finish the career, is already a merit that implies a great personal improvement and a great sacrifice.
9. Wide variety of specialties
Another reason why to study medicine is the plethora of specialties this health science offers. In Europe, there are a total of 49 specialties in medicine, which are accessed through the MIR (Resident Internal Physician).
So, if we are not clear about what we like, we have many options to choose from. These specialties are as diverse as: pediatrics, oncology, neurology, geriatrics, forensic doctor, hematology, surgery, family doctor (general medicine), internal medicine, urology, rehabilitation, rheumatology, etc. That is, there is something for everyone.
10. Scientific interest
Medicine is a scientific career that offers great knowledge in different sectors of science. Both in the career and in the development of the profession, science is one of its axes. That is why if you like science, this career can be a good option.
11. Beyond a profession
Many people who want to end up practicing as doctors realize that the profession goes beyond the consultation or the hospital, and that it is a way of life inherent to each one.
This reason why studying medicine has a lot to do with vocation. Thus, people who choose this path end up realizing that medicine “is their life”, that it is part of their person and thatdefines them.
12. Variety of career opportunities
The last reason we propose to take into account is the variety of professional opportunities offered by the career. Thus, it can be exercised in various areas and sectors, not only in the classic hospital or in the health sector; You can work in medical centers, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, in public health, in private health, in mutual societies, etc.
In addition, you can work in “other types” of medicine, further away from the usual health context, such as sports medicine, occupational medicine, rehabilitation medicine, etc. On the other hand, you can also work in research, teaching, etc.
References
- Flores, M., Góngora, J.J., López, M.V., & Eraña, I.E. (2019). Why become a doctor: the motivation of students to choose medicine as a professional career. Educ Med: 2-4.
- Garcia JC. The decision to study medicine. Educ Med Health 1970; 4: 277-94.
- Gutiérrez-Medina, S., Cuenca-Gómez, D. & Álvarez-De Toledo, O. (2008). Why do I want to be a doctor? Educ. med, 11 (suppl. 1).
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.