Shall I train as a doctor at 48?

[OldieMama]

What would you do with this opportunity? There is an opportunity for me to do a medical degree for 6 years to become a medical doctor (I already have the title of Dr via my PhD, but in a different discipline). Should I leave it and focus on what I have already achieved or go the medical route? Think I'm too old to go for a completely different career. I am 48 years old. Advice much appreciated. My husband trained as a doctor but took a different career path. He's not in favour.

I am a 45 year old consultant, like others plotting my retirement. I will just say this: going through a 16 hour labour, giving birth and getting up at night for a baby was about 100X easier and more relaxing than a tough night shift. I'd do it now if I had to, but I can't imagine choosing to do it.
Also your children are very young, junior doctor shifts are almost completely incompatible with primary school hours. Read this is going to hurt. Enjoy your current life.

Could you consider other AHP? What is it that attracts you to medicine? There's a wealth of jobs that would be quicker to retrain in (radiography if its the science , OT for the people skills, mental health nurse...)

Someone asked about a 6 yr degree- OP may be in another country. My medical degree was 6 years, we had one less year at secondary and some of our first year courses were closer to A level standards (at the time).

OP - I'm the same age as you. And also contemplating, in my case a return to, medicine. I got as far as the early stages of specialty training then pivoted to research when my children were small [nb that didn't work out - another reason why if you have a 2 yr old now I'd also be hesitant about returning to study]. I've now, years later, got an opportunity and encouragement to update and return to part-time non-consultant work in part of my original field. Discussing with those who've been advising me, we're all in agreement that trying to get back on a training programme and achieve consultant status would be unrealistic, and my age is part of the reason.

There are all sorts of ways to pivot your interests and build links with healthcare or health promotion. (there are very interesting potential synergies in the non-medical work I currently do and what I hope to return to). I hope you can find a meaningful direction to take your current skills in and further develop your interests.

I'm a 30 year old registrar. I am permanently exhausted, my day to day job is not particularly interesting and I am still years and years away from being a consultant. I really, really wouldn't do it if I were you.

I was going to say - yes do it! It’s never too late and you should seek out and fulfil your dreams. However after reading the responses you’ve had, I have to say I think I would be suitably deterred.

Hang in there OverTheHandlebars it does get better. Have you young children ? reducing to 0.7 or 0.8 will hardly impact on either pay or training but will make life feel more managable

In all honestly I wouldn’t. If you want to get to consultant level it will take you around 12/13 years. Even if you don’t it’s bloody hard work. Sorry to rain on your parade. How about nursing?

42 year old GP here, I went from school to uni, now been a partner for 15 years, 2 small children.
I’d seriously consider allied HCP training, I’m sure you’ll excel at uni but the training is brutal. I always saw myself working full time long term and did until my eldest child was 2 but have now reduced days to survive.
Like so many others I’m waiting to see when I could possibly draw my pension 😂

@Undertheoldlindentree

*Public!

At least it wasn't pubic (I'm only here to lower the tone.)

My brother retrained after qualifying as an accountant, so started in his early 30s. He's now 45, just passed all of his exams to be a consultant surgeon and has gone to Oz for a year to do a surgical fellowship because he really isn't sure he wants to stay in the NHS or be a consultant. It is brutal, but more so at his age, and he's older than his peers at an equivalent level....

I'm sure there are other ways to do something medically related at your age, but I would say starting a medical degree may be one step too far. I'm usually v pro 'never too late', but I think this is one degree that may be!

Sorry to add to the negatives but as a doctor your shift pattern is dictated to you , often you can’t choose your holidays, in addition unless you go for less popular specialities you are allocated your training rotations so could have to relocate or spend significant chunks of the week away from your family. In all honesty just don’t!!!

A friends husband retained as a doctor, he has been working as a consultant, but he said he had his final exams delayed due to Covid last year. He is mid 40s now so I guess he may of started late 30's. My ex started training as a Osteopath at 40. It's a physical job, but here are other options which aren't full on Doctor, like nursing becoming a HV or midwifery. Which aspect of medicine interests you ?

Could I just point out to those suggesting nursing that it is a very tough and intensive course for similar reasons. I am 45 and had to drop out due to difficulties with childcare, being a grown up and having to do 12 1/2 hr shifts wherever they want to send you ( can be 90 mins away). Please don't think of nursing as an easier option. It isn't and is totally different.

What do you really want to do with it?
What specialism really has your heart?
What aspects of the job are you drawn to?
How much is based on idealism vs the realistic day to day of the job?

Is there any room for linking your current Phd with some further training to bridge that gap or does it have to be full on medical doctor?

Yes, yes and yes. I have started a new career at 50. I love it, work very long hours, but it is my passion

The way I see it, given as aces in science I will probably love a healthy and active life till at least 90, maybe 100.

Heck, I probably still have one more career ahead of me after this one! 😃

Gorgeous, is it medicine? I retrained graduating in my early 40s so I'm pro change. Medicine at 48 is a bit different.

I know someone who left a very cushy job and entered a start up at 60+ and has had major success.

It is mindset. I am definitely not thinking of retirement!

@PermanentTemporary, I have a PhD, had a couple of different careers and now I am on my third one (careers, not jobs)
It is not medicine, but related and incredibly stressful and time consuming. But I love it.

I don’t have young children though

Try for being a physicians associate instead?

I've read similar threads before with interest because I occasionally wonder about re-training as a vet - similar to you OP I've just always felt drawn to it... but realistically from all the research I've done and hearing people's experiences, some careers are just not ideal when you are older. Family/life commitments are just so different once you're in your 30s and 40s and have kids/pets/house. The training stage and rotations in particular would likely be far from home and you'd be doing long shifts, nights, not having any control of when you take time off... and those are tough for people in their early 20s too, without all the other commitments and pressures.

Depending on what it is you like about the idea of being a doctor though, there may well be other options that would be fine.

But your life experience will be invaluable in medicine. You may be more able to put in boundaries and to experience work-life balance because you do know a life pre-medicine. if I give the example of my husband who is a doctor. That's all he has ever known. He can't imagine doing anything else. He feels incredible pressure to keep up with everything as he feels he had no alternative. You though, know you there is more to you, that you have a plan b

Gorgeous... I've no doubt your new career is intense and draining. So's mine, and I'm applying for a Masters aged 52, with the ultimate aim being a PhD. But medical training starting at 48, with kids still at school, is an entirely different proposition. I'm normally a big cheerleader for retraining. Anyway ill butt out.

I'm going to completely disagree with everyone on here, most especially the people who are already consultants.
I started at medschool aged 38 and its the best thing I've ever done for myself. Being a doctor, or practicing medicine, is about the process, not a race to see who can become a Consultant first. You can get a great deal of satisfaction from your job as an SHO; you get more respect as a trainee. It also pays a reasonable income but if money is your motivator then its the wrong career for you.

I've met 48 year old medical students and 54 year old registrars. There is a current F1 in my workplace who looks about 55 ( I don't know how old he is). All of us oldies tend to be much happier in our jobs and lives than the younger ones trying to do relationships/kids/property ladder/career development.
To the 45 year old Consultants planning there retirement, I would suggest they just need to retrain for a different career.
I used to be a teacher. I would rather do a 72 hour medical take in the busiest of hospitals in 2021 (as opposed to the 90's when you could get some sleep even if it was broken) than work as a teacher in the UK.
Our lives and personalities change as we grow older. What worked for us aged 18, isn't necessarily right for us 25 years later. Change your career if it suits you, your age should never be a barrier .

I think medicine is something you devote your whole life to, making all your life decisions around the lifestyle

I did grad med in my mid 20s and this was the conclusion I came to as well. In the end I dropped out half way through because it was making me so unhappy. That was 6 years ago now and I still feel the bruise to my ego, so this thread is making me feel better haha.

Seriously though OP, medicine is an amazing career if it's right for you, if you're truly passionate about it. But don't romantatice it and don't go into it because you have vague ambitions about wanting to help people. That was my mistake, and it caused me a look of grief.

Maybe try a short course and see how you find the subject before making such a bit comittment? Studying and training for such a long period plus looking after a home and kids is a lot to take on.