What Non-Traditional Medical Career Options Can Doctors Explore?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around non-traditional career options for medical professionals after earning their degrees. Participants explore opportunities that allow doctors to help people outside of conventional hospital settings while also earning a salary, including military programs and organizations like Doctors Without Borders.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to help people outside of a hospital environment and questions the feasibility of earning a living while doing so.
  • Another participant mentions Doctors Without Borders as an organization that pays a monthly salary for doctors working in the field.
  • A different participant suggests that volunteering locally could be an option depending on the individual's level of certification and geographic location.
  • One participant shares an anecdote about a doctor who balanced working in Haiti with a return to a more conventional practice in Oxford, implying that it is possible to help those in need while also making a living.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a shared interest in finding ways to help others outside of traditional medical roles, but there are varying opinions on the best approaches and the balance between service and financial stability. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the optimal path for achieving these goals.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not reached consensus on specific organizations or career paths, and there are varying assumptions about the financial viability of different options.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering a medical career who are interested in non-traditional roles, as well as those exploring ways to balance service and financial needs in their professional lives.

Ascalon
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Hi,
I am starting a medical carrer soon and i was kind of wondering what can i do after i earn my degree? I got into medicine for the sure fact that i was helping people, but inside a hospital? I was wondering if there are such organizations that employ doctors to go into other places in need yet get payed some money. I know of volunteering but taking so much time, money and dedication in medical school seems wasteful; i think i should be able to provide for my parents and my self and still help people more than a normal doctor.

I have looked even at the military and their medical programs. They seem to be a good choice.

Comments?
 
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Ascalon said:
I was wondering if there are such organizations that employ doctors to go into other places in need yet get payed some money.
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/work/field/#benefits does pay a monthly salary.
 
Ascalon said:
Hi,
I am starting a medical carrer soon and i was kind of wondering what can i do after i earn my degree? I got into medicine for the sure fact that i was helping people, but inside a hospital? I was wondering if there are such organizations that employ doctors to go into other places in need yet get payed some money. I know of volunteering but taking so much time, money and dedication in medical school seems wasteful; i think i should be able to provide for my parents and my self and still help people more than a normal doctor.

I have looked even at the military and their medical programs. They seem to be a good choice.

Comments?

What's your level of certification so far? EMT, Medic, PA, FR, CERT, FA/CPR? Given whatever your level of cert is so far, you can volunteer for time locally. Where are you geographically?
 
An Oxford doctor was just on the radio. He had been in Haiti for a month, now he's back in Oxford living the easy(ish) life & making money. So you can help poor people in dire need, and also make money from treating rich people (who are also, let's face it, in dire need...) That is, you can work most of the year and then volunteer for part of it. And people will think you are great, like I think that Oxford doctor is great. (And no one thinks that about quants...)
 

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