To change careers and become a doctor at 39?

[ValleyOfTheTramadols]

Just that really. I have a degree and a masters in humanities and history respectively but have always been interested in science and medicine as well. My masters specialised in medical history. I’ve spent a lot of time in hospital with my son recently and I have developed a strong urge/feeling/calling to retrain in medicine. I would have to sit A levels in two science subjects before applying to a medical course but I could do that in a year. Then with the six year medical degree and first foundation year I could be a ‘full’ doctor by the age of 47. Nearly 20 years or more left of a career by then. I only recently completed my masters so I’m used to intense study as an adult and I can afford it financially. But am I just deluded?

Would you consider something like this?
www.port.ac.uk/study/courses/msc-physician-associate-studies

I’m 47 and was considering it last year, but with 3DCs, including a DD with complex medical needs, I decided I couldn’t commit to the course for 2 years full time.

I went along to an open evening though and chatted to current students. They seemed to have secured employment prior to graduation at high salaries.

My background is a degree in Chemistry and 20 years in clinical trials. Currently working p/t in a school science dept on v low wage because it fits round kids and DDS medical appts reasonably well.

Go for it. If you don’t you’ll always think about it, regret it.

@mnp321 don’t beat yourself about it, you probably did hear right, it’s an oft-repeated statement by right-wing people.

It was outside in the middle of Storm Arwen in my defence!

But, in my friend's defence, she is not a DM reader nor particularly right wing. Both her and her husband are consultants so have a far better grasp of the challenge of training to become a doctor than I ever will.

Hello. I'm a doctor. I wouldn't do it at this stage. 47 to start Fy1 would be absolute hell. So many nights and evenings and weekends, you'd miss a lot of your child's life. Presuming at 47 you'd then go into GP to start at 52... any other training programmes are around the 7 year mark after 2 years foundation. very rare to work past 60 as a GP though that's because everyone is so burnt out and maybe you'd be less burnt out

I think it's a bad idea. It won't be what you expect it to be (it never is) and it will take too much from you at this age.

Sorry but I think you’ve left it too late. You’ll be nearly 50 by the time you’re qualified and you’ll still only be a junior doctor. It won’t be family friendly hours and the cost it takes to train a doctor, it wouldn’t be financially viable for someone that could work for 20 years at the absolute most.

I think you’re living in a fantasy world to be honest. Nice idea but realistically very unlikely you’ll get on.

@mnp321 who knows what that was about then 🤷‍♀️ Has the storm not passed yet?

Follow your dream you only have one life - it will not always be easy but always worthwhile!!!

Maxelly- there is a lot of discussion about the immorality and ethical problems practiced in UK by importing doctors from poor countries, thereby depriving them of their medical elites and leaving them further impoverished. There is absolutely no reason not to increase numbers of medical student places in UK.

Re whether or not to return to school: we only have one life and if she doesn’t try it she’ll never know if she would have succeeded. Always possible to pivot to a less stressful job in medicine as some have suggested. AND: liking the sciences has precious little to do with day-to-day work of a GP. Lots of other more science-based degrees and jobs to pursue instead

@JesusInTheCabbageVan

One other point to bear in mind is that you'd have to show quite a bit more commitment to the job than you've shown to this thread

I know I’m a bit late to the party, but I wouldn’t. One of the A-level chemistry teachers thought that my friend and I should apply to med school and strongly encouraged us to do so. Neither of us did.
Years later, when I was in my early 30s I successfully applied for nurse training. I realised very quickly that I much preferred the relationship that I had with patients as a nurse to the relationships that the doctors had.
The hours that the junior doctors work are horrendous.

I don't have experience in medicine but I do have decades of experience in shift work. Have you ever worked shifts before ? I think those years as a junior doctor working hellish hours on your feet in hospital would be very much more challenging at 45. I'm 45 and shift work is tough - and I'm at a desk for mine.
Just something to consider

Nothing is impossible if you are really keen. I would say your age is a positive as you will have a good grasp of life and it's complexities. That would also make you a lovely role model for your children.

Hey there. I finished graduate medicine this year, aged 40. So started a bit earlier than you would be, but also not actually working as a dr yet as still busy having kids…

I’d say go for it. I did similar calculations about how much of a career I would have left. I’m not underestimating how hard the early junior dr years would be (I hope) but those with kids can, and often do, work part time.

Having a supportive partner v v helpful.

PM me if you helpful to discuss further. I also know several people who are currently doing the foundation years with small kids.

YANBU

My wife just completed her vet science degree in her late 40s. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. It’ll require effort, sacrifice and compromise though. It’ll help if you have a supportive family, of course.

Follow your dreams. Good luck.

@Abi86

My wife just completed her vet science degree in her late 40s. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. It’ll require effort, sacrifice and compromise though. It’ll help if you have a supportive family, of course.

Follow your dreams. Good luck.

With all due respect, the NHS and tax payers money doesn’t fund veterinary science. It’s completely private so as long as the interview panel think the candidates capable of passing the course and paying back the fees then happy days. What they do after than won’t really factor in to much.

The NHS is crippled at the moment so if they have say 100 applicants for one place, then an 21 year old would be more financially viable in the long term. They could offer 40 plus years of service compared to 20 plus.

You can do it if you are determined. I have seen several late starters at the hospital where I work.
My husband also entered late. He did a Gamsat exam for entry, I would look into this as an alternative to A levels as it would be a quicker route possibly.

Good luck ! X

I think you should live your life how you want and if medicine calls to you then go for it. you will be better off than the majority off the employed because you will be getting up every day for a job you love. I understand the comments from the prudent faction of responders but no one ever got anywhere without trying. Congratulations on finding your ikigai

You only get one life. Don't spend it saying 'what if'?

@mummeeee

Would you consider something like this? www.port.ac.uk/study/courses/msc-physician-associate-studies

I’m 47 and was considering it last year, but with 3DCs, including a DD with complex medical needs, I decided I couldn’t commit to the course for 2 years full time.

I went along to an open evening though and chatted to current students. They seemed to have secured employment prior to graduation at high salaries.

My background is a degree in Chemistry and 20 years in clinical trials. Currently working p/t in a school science dept on v low wage because it fits round kids and DDS medical appts reasonably well.

I was going to suggest this too. I'm an optometrist and I love the clinical side.

Oh and it's too late for medicine. It takes bloody years to train.

@crowisland

Maxelly- there is a lot of discussion about the immorality and ethical problems practiced in UK by importing doctors from poor countries, thereby depriving them of their medical elites and leaving them further impoverished. There is absolutely no reason not to increase numbers of medical student places in UK.

Re whether or not to return to school: we only have one life and if she doesn’t try it she’ll never know if she would have succeeded. Always possible to pivot to a less stressful job in medicine as some have suggested. AND: liking the sciences has precious little to do with day-to-day work of a GP. Lots of other more science-based degrees and jobs to pursue instead

The UK doesn't 'import' them like goods from a supermarket. They choose to come for better pay and conditions, because while we would love to think that doctors are in it for the 'passion' plenty especially from poorer countries are in it for the paycheck - because there aren't that many highly paid professions available. Source : am from a developing country, large proportion of cousins are doctors and planned their migrations from day 1 of medical school...

*for a supermarket

@Fluffycloudland77

Honestly I wouldn’t. Read “this is going to hurt” by Adam Kay because it really shows what it’s like with the long shifts.

This is probably the most misogynistic book I have ever read.

I think if it was your calling in life you’d be doing it already.