BUSINESS TO MEDICINE. ADVICE NEEDED

[b2med]

I recently graduated with an MBA and am now looking to possibly pursue medicine.

I do not have any experience or prerequisite courses. I'm 31 and male living in FL. My passion is there to help people, and I especially adhere to the philosophy of the DO profession vs the MD's.

I looked into some international programs and it seemed to good to be true. For example, the pass rate is over 80% and the acceptance rate is 45%-60%, and their tone suggested I would get in without much problem. Their reasoning for this is that I already have a degree (non-medical).

Some suggest of course that the easier, faster path is hospital administration or something more lateral to my experience/education. However, along with the geniune concern for other human life, people skills and empathy - I would be the frist to admit being called doctor has always been appealing.
Ego-driven? Well not entirely, but I believe this may be one element to help keep my eye on the prize until I've received that diploma.

comments, concerns, questions, critique, advice, etc all welcome
Thank you

[CaribMD]

Ok no real shortcuts on this.

You need the preqs for medical school, the "International programs" Like the Caribbean and Mexico will make you do premed if you go, you will spend a year doing prereqs at least.

These are 6 year programs
Medical school is 4 years

so If you want a shorter path then enroll in college again and do the preqs and hey if you do well enough then you may apply to US schools.

If not then take the MCAT and apply to the Caribbean 3, you have a better chance in the US from a Caribbean school then from a school in Russia or Poland.

There are really no shortcuts.

Caribbean schools and other International schools you are the same you are a FMG, even if you go to England ( you would not be able to attend a UK medical school its even harder to get into then a US school)

Premed at a Caribbean, the only one I can say is good if you are bent on it is SGU.

Good Luck

[b2med]

What type of questions would you ask someone to see if they have charateristics of a doctor to be?

[CaribMD]

What type of questions would you ask someone to see if they have charateristics of a doctor to be?

Ok
1. How much volunteering do you do? ( this shows a willingness to give back and to do things without question of making money)
2. Are you ok with working extra hours? How many hours would be too many?
3. Are you uncomfortable talking to people? Can you empathize with people?
4. Are you married? Do you have children? How old? ( doing this does impact family life no matter what we think, you need to be able to balance both and not everyone can do it)
5. Does body fluids, blood, smells and such bother you?

These would be the top Five for me to ask, Academics is less important in the sense that many people are smart enough to be Doctors but personality wise they are not.

[b2med]

I just had to answer them directly

1. How much volunteering do you do? ( this shows a willingness to give back and to do things without question of making money) A lot. In fact, not to sound facetious but over the past 2 yrs as a real estate agent I've given more time than most people would be willing to give without pay. Yes, it's a commission only business yet due to the constraints of the industry sales are not common. More importantly, I have never compromised my own ethical standards to make a sale. To answer your question more directly, no I have not done any volunteering in the medical field.

2. Are you ok with working extra hours? How many hours would be too many? If I can save a life, make somebody more comfortable, use my knowledge and skills, yes. Too many hours would be the point where family is it not willing to compromise with my schedule.
3. Are you uncomfortable talking to people? Can you empathize with people? YES. and enthusiastic YES.
4. Are you married? Do you have children? How old? ( doing this does impact family life no matter what we think, you need to be able to balance both and not everyone can do it) Not yet. And this I cannot answer without experiencing it first.
5. Does body fluids, blood, smells and such bother you? Yes, but what I am going to do. It is what it is.

[CaribMD]

Volunteering will be expected to a charity or special need or Medical.

Like I volunteered for BSA for 9 years plus. That counted. The extra time I spent at work did not, but I understand your point and I'm sure it was wonderful for you to do so and I think it shows good character.

Most premeds volunteer to get both the volunteering and patient experience in one, this is very possible and you need both.

the rest was just for you to see how many physicians think after awhile, we see it as you will "fit" the life style or not.

Good Luck.

[b2med]

I know that locally I can get some volunteer time at a hospital, but the kind of help I will be providing is more non-care related. Meaning the only thing I'll be able to do is transport patients, get stocked items, answer phones, etc. Is this experience sufficient enough since I do not have any licensure to directly care for patients?

[tc13]

I went business to medicine as well. However I started college as a pre-med student and switched to business. So I already had some pre-reqs by the time I decided to go back. First of all, the road ahead is LONG, hard, and there is no guarentee of getting into medical school. With that being said, the reward is worth the effort.

What you need to do first is enroll either in a post-bacc program or as a non-degree seeking post-bacc student at the closest univeristy (not a comm. college!!!) Look up the pre-req requirements of medical schools to get an idea of what classes are required (most are nearly identical). Then start volunteering! It does not matter that what you are doing is non-clinical. You are in a clinical environment being exposed to patients and medicine. That is the most important thing. If docs or nurses see you trying to learn they will let you observe different encounters.

You should expect 5+ semesters just to complete your pre-reqs (provided you have none completed). Then 4 years of medical school, then 3-5 years of residency. It can be done at your age, but keep in mind the years it will take to pay back 200K in debt. I just turned 30 and am a 1st yr student. Another option is PA school. I do NOT know their pre-reqs but am sure they are similar to med school. Maybe slightly less classes. however you graduate in 26 months from PA school and do not have a residency. Less expensive and shorter timeframe. But you can't call yourself a doctor. Just an idea.

Good Luck

[b2med]

Yes, I have considered the DO, MD but PA is the direction I am considering more favorably now. I just got a job at a hospital, NOT in a clinical setting but close enough to get some shadowing opp. and questions answered.
The PA route can be anywhere as little as 5 pre req's and up to 8 or courses depending on the school. I have found an associates in PA down here in FL that I'm strongly considering. It's much cheaper than a masters in PA and in the end, from my understanding it the PANCE exam is what matters.

Keep in touch.
Thanks for all who have responded.

[kaithiwilliam]

Hello

I want to set up my wholesale agency of medicines but I don't know about it and also don't know about profit percentage also.so can anyone give me knowledge about wholesale medicine business.It will help me to start it.Thank You.
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